After having visited various wonderful destinations in the #XploreBharat blog train and having visited Mumbai yesterday, today we visit another exotic and equally fun destination, Mysuru!! 🙂
As a Tamilian and having lived close to 23 years in my homestate, it was by chance that lady luck brought us to Bangalore or Bengaluru after a long US stint. Now living in Karnataka for the past few years, we have explored the length and breadth of this great state with full gusto! India is such a great country with awesome culture that changes every few hundred kilometres.
In that sense, we have dived into Karnataka culture by visiting the various places and Mysuru or Mysore is one of them. Join me as we visit the different places in Mysuru which is located in the state of Karnataka in India!
First off, where exactly is Mysuru in India?
‘Mysore’ was rechristened as ‘Mysuru’ in 2014 and is located in the southern state of Karnataka. It is only about 145 kms from Bangalore or Bengaluru but with the traffic it might take close to 5 hrs or more!
Brindavan Gardens:
This is probably the first place that comes to mind when anybody thinks of Mysuru. Brindavan Gardens as the name suggests is a beautiful garden with wonderful water fountains. It lies close to the KRS(Krishnaraja sagar) dam in Mandya district of Karnataka. The KRS dam is built across the river Kaveri. With such beautiful scenery, Brindavan Gardens is the place for many Indian movie picturizations.
Brindavan Gardens keeps the visitors enthralled with its musical water fountains and a walk around the garden itself is mesmerizing and relaxing. The garden is huge and is spread across 60 acres. There are eye catching topiary and other plants and flora which will definitely be a botanists dream.
It is best to visit Brindavan Gardens in the early evening hours to see the garden in natural light and stay back after sunset to enjoy the musical and well lit fountains. Many hotels and resorts pepper the gardens to enjoy the view of the fountains from the room itself.
Sri Chamundeswari Temple:
The Chamundeswari temple sits atop the Chamundi hills which is about 13 kms east of the city of Mysuru. It is situated at an elevation of 3489 ft above sea level. Goddess Chamundi or Durga of the temple is the presiding deity of the Mysore Royal family. Goddess Chamundeswari is also known as ‘Mahishasure mardini’ for having killed the demon ‘Mahishasura’. This is the event that is the backdrop for the very,very popular ‘Dasara’ festivities in the month of Sept-Oct in Mysuru. Goddess Chamundi is also supposed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati(consort of Lord Shiva)
Enroute to the temple, we can see a magnificent Nandi statue(which is of monolithic architecture) and a statue of ‘Mahishasura’.
The temple has its origins going back to a 1000 years. The Chamundeswari temple was a small temple initially but after the Mysuru Maharajas and the Wodeyars gained power in 1399 AD, it was developed more and it assumed greater religious prominence. We can reach the temple easily by car and buses operated by the KSRTC(Karnataka State Transport corporation)
The entire city of Mysuru can be beautifully seen from the hillock. Prayers and offerings continue for the Goddess till date everyday.
(PIC: Creative commons)
Srirangapatna Fort:
No discussion of Mysuru will be complete without talking about the ‘Tiger of Mysuru’ -‘Tipu Sultan’. Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysuru between 1782 to 1799. He was one of the few rulers who stood up against the British rule and waged many wars. He is known for the very popular saying “It is better to live like a lion for a day than to live like a jackal for a hundred years”.
Srirangapatna Fort was first built in 1454 in Indo-Islamic architecture. It underwent many changes first done by the Wodeyars and then by Tipu Sultan.
The walls of the remaining fort are strong and is built in double enclosure. The Srirangapatna Fort is the second toughest fort in India.
(Pic credit: Wikimedia Author: Chithra Sivakumar)
The Srirangapatna fort has bastion gates, dungeons, gun powder houses. It also housed the ‘Lal Mahal’ which used to be the house of Tipu Sultan. Unfortunately, the ‘Lal Mahal’ was razed by the British and now, only a board serves as a notice to the above.
Mysuru Palace:
You know the Kings and Queens that you read all your life? They come alive in Mysuru Palace. If you visit Mysuru, the Palace is one of the “must” places to see and drink in the royal architecture. It is supposedly to be one of the beautiful places to visit in India after the Taj Mahal. It is home to the Wodeyars who ruled Mysuru for close to 500 years. There were 25 kings till Mysuru joined the Indian Republic in 1947.
The Palace was built between 1897- 1912 by architect Henry Irwin. The initial cost to build the palace was 41.47 lakh rupees then! The palace has three entrances(East gate, West gate and South gate) The East gate and West gate are only opened during Dasara festivities. The palace is also surrounded by a huge garden and has three major temples housed within.
Mysuru Palace during Dasara:
The Palace is a visual treat during Dasara time. I need a separate post to talk all about the glory of the Mysuru palace during Dasara! 🙂 In short, the palace is illuminated with 97,000 bulbs for all nine days during Dasara. The roads leading to the palace is all lit up during Dasra and it feels like a magical wonderland! (much like Christmas time in the US)
We had visited Mysuru several times before but visiting it during Dasara was a special treat and one which we would never forget. The nine days in Sept or October are known as ‘Dasara’ or ‘Navarathri’ dedicated to the Goddesses. It signifies the victory of good over evil. Mysuru celebrates this by decorating the palace and having various festivities.
On the last day of Dasara, known as ‘Vijayadasami’ ‘Jamboo savari’ is held wherein Goddess Chamundeswari is placed on a golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
Other places of interest in Mysuru are the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Mysuru might be the cooler months from July onwards. The Dasara season is a great time to visit too but there will be huge crowds which are adequately managed. The peak summer months of March, April, May will be hot for outdoor travel and viewing.
Before we leave, we should not forget to shop for Mysuru’s specialities of Mysuru silk sarees, soaps, sandal talc and of course, the sweet’Mysore pak’!! 🙂
The map below shows the various locations in Mysuru.
The next stop of this #XploreBharatBlogTrain is Varanasi with Pallavi.
This post is a part of the #XploreBharat Blog Train hosted by
Aditi, Esha, Maheshwaran, PraGun, Preeti, Saba, Sanjota, Sonia, Sudip, Suhasini, Supriya
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Great post, Jayanti! I have heard so much about the wonderful Dasara celebrations in Mysuru. Would love to experience it in person someday.
I especially love how you’ve used maps to point out the locations. That is a great idea!
Thanks Vijayalakshmi! Yes – you have to visit Mysuru during Dasara – it is a wonderful experience! 🙂
Mysore! I’ve heard a lot about the city and your post is an instant motivator! Looking forward to the next break to pack my bag:)
aditikapur.com
Thanks Aditi! 🙂
Great post. Been to Mysore 4-5 times when I was in Bangalore. Every time we have guests, it was our weekend gateway. I loved the zoo too, I think it’s the most well organised one in India. Heard a lot about Dusshera in Mysore but couldn’t make it ever.
Thanks Vartika…it is a great weekend getaway for Bangaloreans..yes – loved the Zoo too! 🙂
Great post. I love Dussehera time there. Thanks for making me go back in time with your wonderful pics
Thanks Suhasini! 🙂
Finally a place in the blog train that I have visited. Your lovely post refreshed my memories. I
fell in love with Mysuru when I was there 2 years ago. Yes, went to the Chamundeshwari Temple too. Hope to be there during Dusshera this year.
Yes, Mayuri – do visit Mysuru during Dasara – it is definitely a different experience…
True Jayanthi, being in Bangalore is a big boon. Lost count of the number of times I have been to Mysore! Any friends visiting my home is a good excuse to drive here 🙂
Every time had a different experience, have you visited the room where “Chandramuki” was dancing 🙂
No, Mahesh – I haven’t visited that room… we will do it next time… 😉
I began my Banking career with ICICI in Mysore. I have lived for 5 years in this city in areas like Vijayanagar, Siddhartha Nagar and Kuvempu nagar. You post made me so nostalgic about a city I call my third home. Beautifully written.
Thanks Sonia…nice to hear that you lived and enjoyed Mysuru…:)
Mysore is special for me. It was the first time that I took my family on a trip on my expense after job. We had to miss the light show at palace due to time shortage. I want to see the palace during dushera as you mentioned, have heard all praises about the ambiance till date. Loved your pictures and post.
Thanks, Pragnya – Mysuru is really beautiful during Dasara…try to plan a visit during that time..
Wonderful post. I visited Mysore a long time back in the eighties as part of an educational tour during the time I was doing my B-Tech. I still remember the musical fountains of beautiful Brindavan gardens and also have hazy memories of Mysore palace. Your descriptions of the places in Mysore make me want to pack my bags and visit the place immediately.
Thanks Jayakumar – yes, do plan a visit again! ?
Mysore was on top of our list when we planned our trip to Bengaluru. We took the KSRT bus and visited all the places you mentioned. Had excellent dosa and curd rice at Kamat’s on the way. We reached Vrindavan Gardens at dusk and the guide hurried us to the beautiful musical fountains. All those lovely memories revived today. Thanks for the lovely post!
Nice to hear Seema! 🙂
Such a nostalgic post. I have been to each and every place mentioned here. Mysuru was where I started my corporate journey exactly 10 years back.
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Thanks and nice to hear, Manas! 🙂
Great post… Have heard so much about Mysore… And the pictures of the Vijayadashami celebrations are so magnificent…
Thank you, Esha! ?
I have lived in mysore when deputed to inform mysore.its undoubtedly one of the most clean and beautiful places in India. I was lucky to have seen dasara celebration also.thanks for bringing back all the memories.
Yes, visiting Mysuru during Dasara is the best! 🙂
That’s a beautiful post Jayanthi and Mysore is indeed a lovely place. I have visited a few times and enjoyed it, especially the zoo with my son.
Thanks, Prerna – we loved the Zoo too!
Jayanti, a fab post. When I had visited mysore jn 2014,it was still mysore. Though I didn’t get the chance to explore all it’s delightful places I visited the brindavan gardens. It was beautiful. Also we had mysore pak, my hubby loves it though I am not a big fan of this dessert. I want to visit the palace during dassehra, have heard a lot about it. Maybe one day will plan accordingly.
Thanks Anshu..yes – do visit during Dasara – it is a wonderful time to drink in all the customs and traditions of Karnataka… 🙂
My trip to Karnataka was made more amazing due to 2 places of Mysuru. 1st is the palace ofcourse and the second one is Vrindavan Gardens. Who can forget that musical light show. It was amazinggg.
My I have a memory of Vrindavan Gardens, at theentrance I met a man who was selling handmade umbrellas. They were so beautiful that they attract me quickly. I purchased 3 and asked him the cost of them and had tears in my eyes. He sold those beautiful umbrellas just for 10 Rs each and it was jst 2 years back. I felt bad for him that how foes he survive with that amount, where he needs to put lot of efforts in those handmade umbrellas. I asked him to take extra money,but the poor guy said NO.
I left with a hurt and pain.
Nice to hear, Supriya!
Thanks for this informative and detailed post on Mysuru. I’ve never been to the state myself, but this post certainly increases the desire to do so.
That picture of the Sri Chamundeshwari temple, wow!
P. S. – Thanks for the guideline about the best time to visit. ?
You are welcome – glad to be of help! 🙂
Thanks for presenting Namma Mysuru so beautifully on this blog train. Since there were very few slots available I choose Hampi over Mysuru (Though it is my favorite place and I want to settle in Mysuru during my retirement days!). Now I’m happy that you came up with this beautiful post. Everyone should visit Mysuru, especially during Dasara.
https://hackytips.com
Yes, Sanjota – beautiful place! 🙂 And I love Hampi too…
I’ve never been to Mysore and your detailed post give me a glimpse of the things to do in Mysore.
Nice to hear, Rohan!
I had visited mysuru last year march and loved the palace, Chamundi hills walk and visit the temple, the statue of mahisasura and the zoo. I must admit that the zoo was what we found interesting among all. You name it and they have all birds even hornbill and animals except kangaroo i think they have nurtured and cared for all there. Palance at night and dussera celebs were what I missed and wish to go again, lovely post, thanks for sharing it with XploreBharat.
Thanks Pragun! We loved the zoo too…Do visit the palace at night and during Dassara time…it is even more fabulous then…
Staying in Bangalore for 9 years gave me an opportunity to visit Mysuru many at times. Every place you have included in your post reminded me of the moments spent in those places. My kids used to love visiting Mysore Zoo. The Mysore Palace and Vrindavan Gardens are indeed spots which one shouldn’t miss. My only regret is that I couldn’t visit Mysore during Dusshera when the city is in its full glory. Lovely post. gave me many nostalgic moments.
#readbypreetispanorama
Thanks Preeti – yes, Mysuru is a wonderful place that can be enjoyed with family …visit it during Dassara – it is splendid that time! 🙂
It’s a beautiful place !! I find it peaceful!!
True, Vidhya!
I am lucky to have spent 6 months of my life in this beautiful city. And have been to most of the places mentioned in your post. Also have witnessed th Mysore Dassara. But the fondest memories are of adda and shopping sprees on DD Urs road and i guess another city centre known as Tughlak Road. relived my time in Mysore through your post. Thanks!
That is great to hear, Anupriya – Mysuru is definitely a wonderful place to visit!