| A treat for the senses - Mysore |
| Mysore Palace |
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Designed by an English architect, Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace dominates the skyline of Mysore. The Durbar Hall with its ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars, the Kalyanamantapa(Marriage Pavilion) with its glazed tiles and domed ceilings inlaid with stained glass are worthy of attention. The palace's intricately carved doors, the famous golden howdah, the treasure-house of paintings and the fabulous jewel-encrusted throne are amongst the other treasures worth feasting your eyes on. The palace is illuminated on Sundays, public holidays as well as right through the Dasara celebrations with 97,000 bulbs, a truly brilliant spectacle!
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| Mysore Zoo
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The Sri Jayachamarajendra Zoological Gardens are home to several interesting species of wildlife and has been responsible for the breeding of some rare animals in captivity.
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| Sri Jayachamaraja Art Gallery |
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This gallery displays the priceless collections of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore comprising rare paintings, sculptures and musical instruments. Its invaluable art collections include traditional gold-leaf painting works by the Travancore ruler, Raja Ravi Varma as well as the Russian Painter Svetoslav Roerich.
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| Lalitha Mahal Palace |
Built in the classical European style, this two-storeyed palace was built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1921 to entertain his special guests from abroad. Its central dome is modelled on the lines of St.Paul's Cathedral, London. Its luxurious interiors are embellished with the finest local crafts and imported luxury fittings.
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| Chamundi Hill
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Goddess Chamundi was the patron of the rulers of the State of Mysore. A prominent landmark, located at the outskirts of the city, Chamundi Hill can be reached by 13 km motorable road. At the crest of this hill is the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple that dates back to the 11th Century. Near the temple is the statue of Mahishasura, the demon slain by Goddess Chamundeshwari. Halfway up the stone steps is a 4.5 metre high monolith of Nandi, a beautiful sitting bull.
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| St.Philomena's Cathedral
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This is a beautiful Gothic structure with twin spires. 175 ft in height, said to have been modeled on the Gothic Cathedral at Cologne.
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| Places to visit around Mysore |
| Brindavan Gardens
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| The sprawling Brindavan Gardens are located 16 Kms North of Mysore beside the massive Krishnarajasagar Dam built across the River Cauvery. Among the gardens' attractions are an array of fountains synchronized with lilting music and colourful illumination, transforming the entire place into a fairyland by night.
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Srirangapatna
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Located 12 Km North East of Mysore, this island fortress along the Cauvery River was built in the 18th century to serve as the capital of the warrior kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Tipu's Summer Palace, Daria Daulat, built in 1784 has excellent murals depicting his martial exploits. The fort from which Tipu led his forays agaisnt the British has a mosque and dungeons where British prisoners were held captive. Outside the fort is the Gumbaz, Tipu's Tomb with splendid ebony doors inlaid with ivory. The Ranganathaswamy temple that dates back to the ninth century provides the tourist a spiritual experience.
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| Somanathpura
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The temple here is an architectural marvel. Located 42 Km from Mysore, it was built in 1268 AD as part of an Agrahara (scholastic community) by a Hoysala General, Somanatha Dandanayaka. It is famous for its elaborate temple architecture and fine stone sculptures of the Hoysala School.
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| Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
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The Bird Sanctuary is a 16 Km drive from Mysore and comprises a necklace of small islands along the Cauvery river. It is home to an interesting and diverse collection of waterbirds including cormorants, herons, egrets and spoonbills, many of which migrate here annually from Siberia and other parts of the world to nest and breed.
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| Madikeri
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A trip to Madikeri, a land of warriors, gives you a glimpse of Coorg, fragrant with its coffee and orange plantations. It is famous for its spices, rare flora and fauna. If you enjoy the plantation lifestyle Madikeri is an ideal destination.
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| Shivanasamudra Falls
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Around 70 km from Mysore, the Shivanasamudra waterfalls present a magnificent sight, set against a backdrop of lush green hills. Asia's first hydel power station installed by Late Sheshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore is here.
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| Wildlife Sanctuaries
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Mysore is surrounded by three wildlife sanctuaries - Bandipur, 80 km from the city, Nagarahole, 96 km away and B.R.Hills, 86 km away. These sanctuaries are home to sloth bears, elephants, bisons, sambar, tigers and a wide variety of wildlife. An ideal way to view these creatures is by engaging a jeep on a wildlife safari. Trekking in these forests can be adventure packed.
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