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Mysore
Brief
Once the capital of the Wodeyar kingdom, the jewel of Karnataka, Mysore
is a mammoth, magnificent tourist paradise. A city of much splendour, it
has gorgeous palaces, beautiful parks, wonderful museums and art galleries,
dams, reservoirs and temples. Wide stretches of treelined avenues enveloped
with the aroma of jasmine, jacaranda and frangipani permeate the air. This
easy-going city is famous for its silk and is also a thriving sandalwood
and incense centre.
History
With the traditional founding of the Mysore dynasty, in 1399 A.D. by Yaduraya, Mysore has seen 25 rulers. However with the emergence of Raja Wodeyar in 1578 A.D. Mysore inherited and perpetuated the traditions of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. With Srirangapatna as capital, Mysore grew into a large and powerful kingdom. But in 1761 it slipped into the hands of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. A virtually short rule, Srirangapatna was captured by the British in 1799 and the British again restored the Wodeyars to the throne. A long reign devoid of power, it was only during Chamaraja Wodeyars rule that the administration of the state was handed back to the Sovereign, aided by the British Resident in Mysore.
Culture
As the capital of the Mysore State and the seat of the Wodeyars who were generous patrons of art, Mysore was heaven for men of literature, art music and dance. However, the abolition of Privy Purse put both patron and artist out of tune and Mysores status as a cultural centre waned. Yet, many cultural festivity performances by leading exponents in the field of music and dance are held in the Palace.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
The climate is very moderate and pleasant throughout the year with a slightly higher temperature during summer. Winters are warm and sunny. Once the capital of the Wodeyars, this quaint charming city lies 770 m above sea level and 140 km from Bangalore.
How to Reach
Mysore is well connected by road, rail and air. By air, Bangalore is the nearest airport at a distance of 140 km and is well connected to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Nagpur and Visakhapatnam. By rail, Mysore is the main railhead and is well connected to Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, and Bangalore. By road, Mysore is linked by a good network of roads to Bangalore and other main centres in the region. Mysore is connected by regular bus services to all the important places to the neighbouring states Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Tamilnadu. Deluxe buses are available to/from Bangalore Madurai,Trichur, Udhagamandalam, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Udipi and Mangalore.
Tourist Places
Brindavan Gardens
These tranquil ornamented gardens, are laid out below the immense Krishnaraja
Sagar dam. The Gardens are a popular picnic spot and are illuminated in
the evenings. Also, the musical fountains and colourful lights, turn this
place into an enchanting fairyland in the evenings.Srirangapatnam
The place is an island town, surrounded by the River Cauvery. The town makes its name from Sri Ranganathaswamy, the presiding deity who is enshrined in one of the oldest Dravidian temples in the state.
Ranganathittyu
4 kms from Srirangapatnam and 18 kms from Mysore, Ranganathittyu is an exotic bird sanctuary, that allows a close view of exotic and familiar birds, such as the white ibis, openbilled stork and cormorants. One can also come across crocodiles, that resemble mud banks. Migratory birds from as far as ,make Ranganathittyu as their home, between June and October.
Cauvery Fishing Camp
At Bhimeshwari, the Cauvery Fishing Camp is a paradise for anglers,where mahaseer is found in abundance. Fishing is only for fun and the fish has to be returned to the river by the angler. This camp is also accessible from Bangalore.
Mysore Palace
Once the residence of the Wodeyars, it is one of the largest and most brilliant palaces in India. The palace is a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors, gilt and colours. There are beautiful carved wooden doors, mosaic floors, as well as exquisite paintings. Built in 1912, this Indo-saracenic building, is adorned with beautiful Hoysala style carvings. Moreover, some other attractions here, are the golden Royal Elephant Throne and the Darbar Hall.
St. Philomenas Church
One of the largest churches in the country, this is built in the Gothic style, and has beautiful stained glass windows and is full of bird song, from the resident pigeons and sparrows.
Chamundi HillsThis is an important spot of Mysore, in which the Chamundeswari temple, which is located, on the top of the Chamundi Hills takes its name from the Goddess Chamundi, an aspect of the consort of Shiva, who defeated the demon Mahishasura and settled here.
Shivanasamudram
The place is well known for its beautiful twin waterfalls, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki, which plunge about 60m down. It is better to visit the place during the rainy season to enjoy the beauty of the fall.
Others
BILIGIRIRANGA BETTA - A pleasant hill station, Biligiriranga Betta is also a wildlife camp, run by the Forest Department. Right on top of the hill, stands the Biligirangaswamy Temple, from which the hill takes its
CHAMARAJENDRA STATUE - In front of the northern gate of the palace, at the junction of Ashoka Road and Albert Road, is the white marble statue of Chamarajendra Wodeyar, erected in the 1920s The place is worth a perilous dash across the busy roads, that surround it to admire its beauty.
JAYACHAMARAJENDRA ART GALLERY - Housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, this gallery has a beautiful collection of Mughal and Rajput art, paintings by Raja Ravi Verma and Svetoslav Roerich, sculptures, brassware and the
KRISHNARAJA SAGARA - Located to the northwest of Mysore, a Dam is constructed
across the Cauvery river for irrigation purposes, to cover the atchkat
of mainly Mandya District and some parts of Mysore district. The Dam was
KRISHNARAJA STATUE - This is the heart of the City. The Statue stands at the intersection of the Sayaji Rao, Albert and Devraj Urs Roads, the
MAHADESHWARA HILL - The place, which is counted as one of the best attraction of Mysore houses a temple, dedicated to Lord Mahadeshwara, in the form
MELKOTE - A pilgrim centre, Melkote is known for its Vairamudi festival
MYSORE ZOO - One of the better kept zoos in India, the Mysore zoo, is set in picturesque gardens and a variety of flora and fauna can be found
SOMNATHPUR - At Somnathpur, the river Cauvery, cascades down in two picturesque
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