Mysore
General Information
Situated in the southern part
of the Deccan Plateau, Mysore District
is an undulating tableland, covered
in parts by granite outcrops and fringed
by verdant forests. From ancient times,
this district has played a significant
role in the history of South India.
Mysore District is a popular tourist
destination, offering several attractions
ranging from the royal splendour of
Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara
Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage
centres and scenic spots.
Mysore city is at 770m above sea level
and 140 kms from Bangalore. Also known
as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains
a quaint charm, that never fails to
enchant. Mysore is thought to have been
named after the demon Mahishur, who
according to legend was slain here by
the goddess Durga. From 1400, Mysore
was the main city of the Hindu kings,
the Wodeyars. The Wodeyars were under
the Vijayanagar Empire till it collapsed
in 1565, upon which they declared themselves
independent. Mysore was the capital
of the Wodeyar dynasty, feudatories
of the Vijayanagar Empire, who declared
their independence in the 16th century
and ruled in Mysore until independence,
barring three decades when Haider Ali
and his son Tipu Sultan wrested power
from them. Mysore today, is a pleasant
city with an old world charm, contributed
by its broad shady avenues, well laid
out gardens, fine buildings and a salubrious
climate.
They ruled from Mysore ever since,
till in 1956 the princely state joined
the Republic of India. There was a brief
interlude though in the 18th century
with the power of Hyder Ali and Tipu
Sultan in the ascendant, they could
hardly resist this rich kingdom, only
15 km from Srirangapatnam. However,
on defeating Tipu, the British handed
Mysore back to the Wodeyar kings.
Sweet perfume lingers from sandalwood
carvings, and bright silks wave in the
breeze in this sugar and spice-all things
nice city. Travel guides will tell you
about its rattling three-wheeler auto
rickshaws, hurtling buses and rambling
cows but we tell you that it’s
all that plus lingering memories of
the yesteryears that refuse to fade
with time. .
Main
Sightseeing of Mysore
Mysore Maharaja's Palace
: Designed by the English
Architect, Henry Irwin, the Mysore
Palace dominates the skyline of Mysore.
A three storied structure in the Indo-Saracenic
style built between 1897-1912, the
palace has beautifully designed square
towers at cardinal points, covered
with domes. The Durbar Hall with its
ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars
and the Kalyanamantapa (Marriage Pavilion)
with its glazed tiled flooring and
stained glass, domed ceiling are worth
noting. Intricately carved doors,
the golden howdah (elephant seat),paintings
as well as the fabulous, jewel encrusted
golden throne (displayed during Dasara)
are amongst the palace's other treasures.
The walled palace complex houses the
Residential Museum (incorporating
some of the Palace's living quarters),temples
and shrines including the Shwetha
Varahaswamy temple. The palace is
illuminated on Sundays, Public Holidays
as well as during the Dasara Celebrations
when 97,000 electric bulbs are used
to illuminate it.
Chamundi Hills :
A prominent landmark, located at the
outskirts of the city, Chamundi Hills
can be reached by a 13 kms motorable
road or 1000 steps built by the Wodeyars.
At the crest of this hill is Sri Chamundeshwari
Temple that dates back to the 11th
century. The striking gopura (Pyramidal
Temple tower) was added by Maharaja
Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III in 1825-1826.
Goddess Chamundi was the patron deity
of the rulers. Near the temple is
the statue of Mahishasura, the demon
slayed by the goddess Chamundeshwari.
Half way up the stone steps, is the
4.8 meter high monolith of Nandi,
Lord Shiva's mount.
Mysore Zoo : Sri
Jayachamarajendra Zoological Gardens,
popularly known as the Mysore Zoo
was established in 1892 under the
reign of Chamarajendra Wodeyar. A
large collection of animals, including
exotic species, are housed in lush
green surroundings. This zoo is famous
for breeding some rare animals in
captivity.
St. Philomena's Church :
This is a beautiful gothic structure
with twin spires, 175ft. in height,
said to have been modeled on the gothic
Cathedral at Cologne. Designed by
French architects, the foundation
stone was laid by Maharaja Krishnaraja
Wodeyar-IV in 1933. The stained glass
windows, made in France, overlooking
the apse, showing the Birth of Christ,
Baptism of Christ by St. John the
Baptist, the Last Supper and the Crucifixion
of Christ are works of art. The altar
bears the statue of St. Philomena,a
third century saint from Greece.
Jagmohana Palace : One
of Mysore's beautiful buildings, the
Jaganmohan Palace was built in 1861
by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar in
a predominantly Hindu style, as an
alternative retreat for the royal
family. This three storied palace
with stained glass shutters and ventilators,
in a lovely garden setting, has since
1915, housed the Sri Jayachamarajendra
Art Gallery. This museum displays
paintings, sculptures and musical
instruments. This gallery has a collection
of exquisite paintings dating back
to 1875. The collection includes paintings
by Travancore Ruler, Raja Ravi Varma,
the Russian Svetoslav Roerich and
the traditional Mysore gold leaf style
of painting.
Somanathapura Temple :
The Keshava Temple, located 42 kms
from Mysore, was built in 1268 as
part of an agrahara (scholastic community)
founded by the Hoysala General Somanatha
Dandanayaka. The temple is famous
for its elaborate detail and for the
fact that unlike the other Hoysala
temples of Belur and Halebid, it was
actually completed. This beautiful
temple is enclosed within a walled
courtyard, which is entered through
a gate and porch. The temple is built
on an elevated star shaped platform.
The sides of the raised platform are
richly adorned with carved freizes
depicting rows of cavalry, elephants
and stories from the epics. Above
these is a row of large images, mainly
of Vishnu in various forms. The triple-shrined
(Trikutachala) monument, has three
sanctums, of which the north sanctum
bears the image of Janardhana, the
south sanctum that of Venugopala.The
main hall has beautifully turned pillars
and ceiling panels. Sadly the image
of Keshava that was in the main hall
is missing..
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Excursions
from Mysore
Srirangapatnam
(12 km) : The capital city
of famous kind Tipu Sultan is a river
island. It’s most famously associated
with Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan who
fought off the marauding Marathas and
the British from here till Tipu was
tragically defeated in battle right
here in his backyard. Parts of the old
Fort still stand, as does Tipu’s
Daria Daulat Bagh, the summer palace
set in a magnificent garden. The palace
itself is resplendent with detailed
frescoes on its teak walls and ceilings,
of battle scenes and father and son
at the head of an elephant army. An
old Masjid stands on the same soil as
three temples in testimony to Tipu’s
religious tolerance, and the family
mausoleum or Gumbaz has beautiful ivory
on wood inlay.
Brindavan Garden :
19 kms North of Mysore is the famous
reservoir Krishnarajasagara. This Dam
is built across the river Cauvery. Just
below the Dam the beautiful Brindavan
Gardens are laid out. There are varieties
of fountains, illuminated at night by
colourful lights. The Musical fountain
is of special interest which has spectacular
harmony of water, colours and music.
Ranganathittu (18 kms) is
a Bird Sanctuary that houses exotic
birds. It is a group of small islands
in the Kaveri river. It is home to a
variety of waterbirds, including comorants,
herons, egrets and spoonbills, many
of whom migrate here annually from Siberia
and North America, to nest and breed.
Crocodiles basking in the sun is also
a familiar sight. Best season to visit
this place is May-Sept/Oct..
How
to reach Mysore?
By Air : The nearest
airport at Bangalore is quite well connected
to the rest of the country and to some
places abroad.
By Rail : Mysore is
well-connected from Bangalore and rest
of Indian cities by southern railway
network.
By Road : Good road
network for all major cities in south.
