Mysore located 160km south west of Bangalore is the capital city of the Wodeyars and has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that reaches out and leaves no one untouched.
In the 10th Century Mysore was known as Mahishur and it traces its history back to the mythical past, when Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills killed the wicked buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura.Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. Mysore also has associations with the Mahabharata and King Ashoka of the 3rd century B.C. During the Wodeyar rule Mysore reached the Zenith of its glory as a fabled centre of oriental splendor.
Mysore is the second largest city of Karnataka and today it is a vibrant city well-known as an enjoyable destination for visitors. It is famous the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. It has grand and imposing palaces, majestic temples, and gardens that leave an ever-lasting impression. It is certainly possible to walk around the city and enjoy the colorful markets like Deveraja Market on Sayaji Rao Road which is one of South India’s most atmospheric produce markets. It is a giant complex of covered stalls.The Government Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium is the best place to see sandalwood and here it is possible to make arrangements to ship souvenirs overseas.
The centre of Mysore is dominated by the walled Maharaja’s Palace. It is a beautiful Palace with a brass plated dome. On a Sunday night it is particularly spectacular as it is lit up with a 100.000 light bulbs. It is definitely worth visiting here as the interiors of the Palace are very lavish and showcase elaborate decorations from around India and the world. The Elephant Gate that forms the main entrance into the Palace is decorated with beautiful designs including the double headed eagle which is the state emblem.
To the north of the gate stands a ceremonial wooden elephant decorated with 84kg of 24-carat gold. The twelve temples surround the Palace that are of a much earlier origin and these can also be visited but shoes and cameras must be left at the cloakroom outside.
Jaganmohan palace was built in 1861 and it was used as a royal residence until 1915. Today it is a picture gallery and museum housing many nineteenth and twentieth Century paintings.Chamundi hill is located 3km south east of the city and is topped with a temple dedicated to Durga the Goddess that slew the demon buffalo Mahishasura. It is possible to walk to the top but there are at least a thousand steps and it could be demanding on a hot day.