Mysore – Vibrant Place to Visit

Mysore is situated in the Karnataka State, India and it is considered as Second largest city in the state. This place is located at the base of Chamundi Hills and is popular for the Dussehra celebrations during which a large number of tourists visit the city. This city is the perceptive capital of Karnataka.

Dussehra is the most important festival of the city and this festival is celebrated for a period of 10 days. Started by King Raja Wodeyar I in the year 1610, the ninth day of the celebration is known as Mahanavami and the imperial sword is worshiped on this day. Processions constituting ornamented elephants, camels and horses are taken out. The word Mysore is derived from Mahishuru or Mahishasurana Ooru, meaning the town of Mahishasura, the demon king who is believed to have lived here. The history of Mysore can be traced back to the time of Mahabharata. It was ruled by the Ganga Dynasty from the 2nd century to approximately 10th century. Later it was ruled by the Cholas for a century which was followed by the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar Empire and finally the Mysore Yadu rules in the 13th century. During the reign of Chamaraja Wadiyar the city is said to have gained prominence. For a brief period the Wadiyars got dethroned, but finally returned to power under the British command at the end of the 17th century.

Chamundi Hills is a popular religious centre that lies close to Mysore. It is home to a beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari and is also a popular choice among adventure lovers as it offers an excellent trekking route. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Amba Vilas Palace, or Mysore Palace, is the centre of the Dasara festivities. The Jaganmohana Palace, the Jayalakshmi Vilas and the Lalitha Mahal are other palaces in the city. Chamundeshwari Temple, atop the Chamundi Hills, and St. Philomena's Church are notable religious places in Mysore. The Mysore Zoo, established in 1892, and the Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes are popular recreational destinations.

Mysore has the Regional Museum of Natural History, the Folk Lore Museum, the Railway Museum and the Oriental Research Institute. The city is a centre for yoga-related health tourism that attracts domestic and foreign visitors. Melody World is a museum showcasing wax statues and musical instruments. The 3-D paintings in the wedding hall that seem to turn towards the viewer whichever end he’s standing at, Raja Ravi Verma’s painting in the court hall, the Durbar hall and it’s amazing lighting– each was more exquisite than the previous. There is also a life-size statue likeness of Krishnaraja Wodeyar in a seated posture. It took 15 years to construct this palace at a cost of Rs.42 Lakhs. (One can’t even think of a 2-bed apt for that money today in Bangalore but then 42L then was probably equal to 400 crores today). Photography is prohibited within the palace and so I have no pictures of the interiors. I did take several pictures outside which are below.