Be a visitor to the 'City of Palaces' and the erstwhile capital of the
Wodeyars. Steeped in history and numerous legends, Mysore welcomes its
sightseers with myriads of lures - imposing palaces, landscaped gardens,
rich cultural legacy and ancient temples along with beautiful buildings and
broad shady avenues. And once you are here, don't miss Srirangapatnam that
lies on the outskirts of the city. Yet another must see thing is the famed
Hoysala Temple that is just an hour's drive from here. The city lies at a
distance of 140 km from Bangalore and is perched at an elevation of 770 m
above sea level. Shopping in Mysore is also interesting. Sandalwood and
rosewood products are the first two things that you can not leave without.
Besides, the Mysore Silk, sandalwood oil, stone and wood carvings are other
interesting items of shopping. But be cautious and don't end up buying fake
sandalwood and rosewood items.
Climate
Climate is moderate in Mysore. Maximum temperature during summers can go up
to 35 degrees centigrade. June is the warmest month. Winters are not very
cold and the average temperature is 27 degrees centigrade. Monsoons extend
from June to October and heavy rains are observed in the month of October.
The average annual rainfall of the city records 86 cm. September to March is
the finest time to visit the city.
Cuisines
Mysore promises a lot in terms of lip-smacking delicacies. From South
Indian specialties to some of the most exotic dishes, you can have it all
here. Popular South Indian dishes include idli, dosa, uppuma, avial,
sambhar, fried fish, prawn bajji, parota etc. And if you arrive around the
time of Dusshera, then you can experience and enjoy the Dussehra Food Mela
of the city. The mela (fair) offers delectable dishes from a number of
states of India. At the city's hotels and restaurants, you can also delight
your taste buds with Continental, Chinese and Mediterranean cuisines.
Sightseeing
Mysore Palace, a huge draw for tourists, is the grandest expression of royalty
in the city. The imposing palace has been built in the Indo-Saracenic style
and exhibits numerous items of art and crafts from all over the world. The palace
wears a grander look during the Dussehra Festival and is a sight to behold.
The
Chamundi Hills scale a height of 335 metres can be reached
either by 13 km road or by climbing up the 1000 steps that were laid by the
Maharaja of Mysore in the 17th century. At the top of the hill sits the temple
of Chamundeshwari, the venerable Goddess of the Wodeyars. The
Mysore
Zoo is another famous attraction in the city. The royal patronage gave birth
to this zoo in the 19th century. The inmates of the zoo are a popular attraction
for travellers visiting the city. Some the rarest and most exotic species can
be seen here.
St. Philomena's Church is an ancient piece of
architecture. The cathedral represents the medieval architectural style. Stain
glass windows and imposing towers add to the sight all the more. Moving 16 km
from Mysore gets you to
Srirangapatnam, the island fortress
of Tipu Sultan.
Getting There
Bangalore Airport (139 km) is the closest airport from here. The domestic airlines
have regular flights to/ from Bangalore to/ from all the key destinations of
the country. From cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, there are direct
trains to Mysore as well. Bangalore has regular trains and buses connecting
to Mysore. There are state transport and private bus services as well linking
Bangalore and Mysore. A bus or car drive from Bangalore to Mysore takes around
3 hours.
