Mysore Attractions

Located 159 kms southwest of Bengaluru, Mysore is the historic seat of the Wodeyar Maharajahs and one of the south India's most famous attraction. It is the second biggest city in the state of Karnataka. Mysore is certainly a charming, old fashioned town, dominated by the spectacular palaces , parks and temples. It is most famous for its traditional paintings, rich silks, stimulating filter coffee, delicious Nanjangud bananas, sandal wood and incense production. The city of Mysore is now promoting itself as an international center for Ashtanga Yoga. History of Mysore :

Mysore was erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar – the rulers of the Mysore state. In the 10th century, Mysore was known as 'Mahishur'- the city where Goddess Durga killed demon buffalo Mahishur. In the year 1761, Muslim ruler Hyder Ali and his on Tipu Sultan, took over the charge of the city. After the two years, the new rulers demolished the labyrinthine old city to replace it with the elegant grid of sweeping, leafy streets and public gardens that survive today. After the defeat of the Tipu Sultan in 1799 by British Coronel, Arthur Wellesley, Wodeyar power was restored. Today Mysore is one of the major cities of Karnataka.

Sightseeing in Mysore :

Maharaja's Palace :

Mysore is dominated by the walled Indo-Saracenic palace, which was once the seat of maharajah's of Mysore. It was constructed in the year 1912 for the 24th Wodeyar raja, on the site of the old wooden palace that was somehow destroyed in the fire in 1897. The palace was exclusively designed by the famous architect Henry Irwin. It was built at the cost of Rs 4.5 million. Entry to the palace is though the Gombe Thotti. The carved wooden floors, mosaic floors, and the historical paintings are worth checking. The palace also boost of the Hindu temples including Shweta Varahasswamy Temple. Tourists are requested to keep the camera and the cell phones at the deposition center at the entrance gate.


Chamundi Hill :

Chamundi hill, located at the height of 1062 m, is dominated by the Sri Chamundeswari Temple. On is supposed to climb 1000 steps that takes around 45 minutes to reach the top. It is same site where Ma Durga slew demon buffalo Mahishur. One third of the way down is a 5 m high Nandi that was carved out of the solid rock in 1659. Please carry the water bottle along with you.



Jagachamarajendra Art Gallery :

West of the Maharaja's Palace is the Jagachamarajendra Art Gallery, which was once the royal residence until was turned into a picture gallery and a museum in 1915. The gallery has a huge collection of kitsch objects and memorabilia from the Wodeyar's including wonderful musical machines, rare instruments, Japanese art and paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. It remains open from 8:30 am to 5pm and the entry fees is just Rs 8.


Aparana Chauhan

Mysore Palace in Karnataka

LOCATION:
Mysore Palace is one of the most renowned palaces of the south, situated at Mirza Road, in the heart of the city of Mysore in Karnataka.

History:
The ancient palace of Mysore dates back to the 14th Century, which was wrecked by lightning. It was re-established by Wodeyar King Randheera Kantheeveera Narasaraja in the year 1638 AD. Later, Tipu Sultan destroyed the old palaces of Mysore to build a new town 'Nazarabad' and rebuilt the Mysore Palace in a jiffy, to fulfill the requirement of a palace. The already stumbling palace was completely destroyed by a fire in the year 1897 AD, which was replaced by the current palace structure built in the year 1912 on an investment of around forty lakh rupees.

ARCHITECTURE:
Among the largest palaces of India, the palace was built as the royal residency of the twenty-fourth Wodeyar King of Mysore by Henry Irwin, a British architect, in the year 1912. The signature palace of the Wodeyar dynasty, its showcases a brilliant confluence of Hindu-Islamic-Rajput-Gothic styles of architecture.

The three storied palace stands 145 ft tall and is made up of grey marble stones. There is a gigantic Elephant Door to the east of the palace. To the south there is a marriage hall where festivals are celebrated, called the 'Kalyan mandap'. On the ground floor is the Durbar hall with its stunning gold plated Pillars and ceilings, while on the first floor lies the area of personal meetings, known as 'Amba Vilas'. The 'Gombe Thoti' has an immensely pretty elephant structure beautified with 80 kg of gold.

The carved domes of the palace represent the Islamic monumental structures. The five domes decorating the palace were built in 1914 AD. There are five entrances to the structure namely, Jayarama, Balarama, Varaha, Brahma Puri and Kari Kallu Thotti. The main structure of the Palace is thronged by twelve ancient temples and beautifies by a garden-view in the front.


MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
The brilliantly lit palace under the clear moonlit sky, at 7pm to 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays, and 7 pm to 9 pm during the ten-day Dussehra festival, is a must -watch extravaganza.

The unprecedented structure combining the Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and Rajput styles of architecture with amazingly beautiful halls especially the Amba Vilas and the Darbar Hall, courtyards, paintings, murals, pillars, domes and carved panels, all give an impression of the adeptness and skills of the architects and the workers of that period.

The ornamental ceilings and pillars of the Darbar Hall and the colorful murals of the Kalyan mandapa depicting the Dussehra festival processions, attract the attention of the travelers.

The museum in the palace that preserves the belongings of the royal family of the Wodeyars, including weapons, jewelery, royal wear and souvenirs.

Twelve ancient temples that surround the Palace, including the Varashaswamy Temple, which represents the Dravidian style of architecture.

The festive procession of Dussehra, with illuminated palace and ornamented Elephants topped with vivid Chattris, torch-light processions and gallantry parades are a must-see during the month of October/November.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:
The nearby attractions to the Mysore palace include other palaces of the city like Jagmohan Palace, Jayalakshmi Palace, Rajendra Vilasa and Lalitha Mahal.

Aparana Chauhan