About Mysore

Situated in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau, Mysore District is an undulating tableland, covered in parts by granite outcrops and fringed by verdant forests. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the history of South India. Mysore District is a popular tourist destination, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendour of Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots.

Mysore city is at 770m above sea level and 140 kms from Bangalore. Also known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm, that never fails to enchant.

Mysore was the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, feudatories of the Vijayanagar Empire, who declared their independence in the 16th century and ruled in Mysore until independence, barring three decades when Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan wrested power from them. Mysore today, is a pleasant city with an old world charm, contributed by its broad shady avenues, well laid out gardens, fine buildings and a salubrious climate.
Mysore district is 770m above the sea level having an area of 6,268 sq.kms. The district has a population of 22,81,653 (1991 census). The climate is pleasant enough, which registers normal temperature between 19ºC and 30ºC.

History:
A testament to the irrepressible spirit of the people of Mysore and their kings, the Mysore Palace has survived political upheavals, disaster and destruction, only to rise out of the ashes more magnificent than ever.

The current Mysore Palace – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the British architect Henry Irwin after its predecessor was destroyed in a fire in 1897. The imposing building that stands today was completed in 1912, but it is believed that a Mysore Palace was established as part of a wooden fortress, by the royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars, as early as the fourteenth century.

In 1638 the palace was struck by lightning and rebuilt by Kantirava Narasa Raja Wodeyar (1638 - 1659 AD), who extended the existing structures, adding new pavilions.

The glory of the new building was to prove short-lived. The death of Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1673 - 1704 AD) in the eighteenth century plunged the kingdom into a period of political instability.
During these turbulent times the Mysore Palace slipped into a state of neglect culminating in its demolition in 1793 by Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali, a maverick general in the king’s army who rose to become the ruler of Mysore.

In 1799, when upon the death of Tipu Sultan the five-year old Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1794-1868) AD assumed the throne, the coronation ceremony took place under a marquee. One of king’s first tasks, on his accession, was to commission a new palace built in the Hindu architectural style and completed in 1803.

The hastily constructed palace soon fell into disrepair and in 1897 was razed to the ground by a fire at the wedding ceremony of princess Jayalakshmmanni.

The destiny of the Mysore Palace now passed to Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sanndihana, who commissioned well-known British architect Henry Irwin to build a new palace that would be a tribute to the legacy of Mysore and the Wodeyars.

Completed in 1912 and at a cost of Rs. 41,47,913 the result was the Mysore Palace you see standing today. A masterpiece in Indo-Saracenic architecture, on par with great Mughal residences of the North and the stately colonial public buildings of the South.

Architecture:
A dramatic three storied stone building of fine gray granite with deep pink marble domes dominated by a five-storied 145 ft tower with a gilded dome mounted by a single golden flag.

Designed by Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace is one of the finest achievements of Indo-Saracenic architecture, summing up many diverse themes that have played through Indian architecture over the centuries. Muslim designs and Rajput style combine with Gothic elements and indigenous materials in an exuberant display of grandeur.

The palace is set among meticulously laid gardens and has an intricately detailed elevation with a profusion of delicately curved arches, bow-like canopies, magnificent bay windows and columns in varied styles ranging from Byzantine to Hindu.

The striking façade has seven expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which is supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of Gajalakshmi - the Goddess of wealth with elephants.

The sumptuous interiors of the palace, in keeping with the grand exteriors, are replete with exquisitely carved doors, expansive pavilions, delicate chandeliers, exquisite stained glass ceilings and decorative frescoes depicting scenes from the Indian epics. An enduring reminder of the splendour of the Mysore maharajas and a testament to the dexterity of the local artisans and craftsmen.

An Amazing Monument:
A silhouette of the Mysore Palace illuminated with ninety seven thousand bulbs shimmering against an inky black night is one of the most enduring images of the city.

A priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Palace is the seat of the famed Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore.

An eclectic synthesis of architectural styles the palace is one of India’s most dramatic national monuments. Today it is a museum housing treasures from across the world reflecting the rich and colorful history of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore.

TOURS
The Mysore Palace is open all days of the week, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The palace is illuminated on Sundays, national holidays and state festivals from 7:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. The palace is illuminated between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. only during the Dasare festival.

If you would like to treat yourself to a private guided tour of the entire palace complex, Mysore Palace Board certified tour guides can be found at the entrance to the palace. The guides will steer you to the highlights of the Mysore Palace at a nominal fee.

No trip to Mysore is complete without a visit to Chamundeshwari Temple the most famous of the city’s 196 temples.

According to Hindu mythology the fiery warrior goddess Chamundeshwari or Durga slew the demon king Mahishasura, liberating the populace and establishing the rule of righteousness. It is this victory over evil that is celebrated with great pomp and joy during the annual Dasara festival.

Even to this day the Goddess continues to watch over and protect the people of her city from her magnificent temple, located on the crest of Chamundi Hill 3km south east of Mysore.
The Chamundeshwari temple is also one of India’s finest from an architectural perspective. The shrine housing the solid gold idol of Chamundi dates back to the twelfth century. Certain elements, like the striking pyramidal gopura (gateway tower) built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1825, are more recent additions.

Other attractions at the temple are a colourful statue of the demon Mahishasura, an imposing five metre Nandi or bull carved out of a single block of black granite and the thousand steps leading from the temple to the city below.

Mysore Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It was established under royal patronage in 1892, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world, and since then millions of people have enjoyed its wonderful animals and spectacular grounds.

The zoo has a very successful breeding program and houses animals from more than 40 different countries.

There are many native Indian animals as well, including Royal Bengal tigers, white tigers, elephants, giraffe, fallow deer, Himalayan black bear, Guar (Indian bison), white peafowl and Indian rhino. The zoo is also home to many other exotic creatures from around the world like Branary sheep, giraffe, hippos and gorillas.

The zoo also encompasses Karanji Lake, which attracts several species of migratory birds during the breeding season including painted storks, pelicans and darters. Other attractions include the Zoological Garden with 35 species of exotic ornamental plants and 85 species of trees from India and abroad.

The Mysore Zoo is open on all days except Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The entrance fees are Rs. 20 for adults and Rs. 5 for children. (Below 5 years is free)

This is a beautiful gothic structure with twin spires, 175ft. in height, said to have been modeled on the gothic Cathedral at Cologne. Designed by French architects, the foundation stone was laid by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar-IV in 1933.
The stained glass windows, made in France, overlooking the apse, showing the Birth of Christ, Baptism of Christ by St. John the Baptist, the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Christ are works of art. The altar bears the statue of St. Philomena,a third century saint from Greece.

Located 12kms north-west of Mysore City is Krishnaraja Sagar Dam or KRS Dam, as it’s popularly known. Designed and built in 1932, by the visionary Indian engineer Sir M. Vishweswaraiah, and named after the reigning king, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, who financed the project, Krishnaraja Sagar Dam holds a very special place in the hearts of the people of Mysore.

The dam was constructed as India’s first irrigation dam on the confluence of three rivers, the Cauvery, Hamavathi and Lakshmanathirtha.

The dam is around 8600 feet long and 130 feet high with a reservoir spread over an area of 130 sq.kms., and represents a marvel of civil engineering achievement in pre-independence India. The dam was also among the first in the world to use automatic sluice gates.

Located just below the dam are the beautiful terraced Brindavan Gardens. One of India’s premier horticultural display gardens, the gardens offer a tranquil retreat from Mysore City and an outdoor classroom for people of all ages to learn about the world of plants.

Apart from the different types of plants the gardens are decorated by spectacular fountains and ornamental pools. A small lake for boating enhances its recreational charm. At night the gardens are transformed into a sparkling wonderland with thousands of brilliant lights and musical fountains.

The Brindavan Gardens are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. The musical fountains are operational from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Have you ever heard the chatter of cormorants, seen a parade of marsh crocodile or dined with the macaques?

A haven for native Indian wildlife and a migratory hotspot for exotic bird species from across the world, the six picture perfect islets of Ranganthittu, on the Kaveri River, are a paradise for bird and wildlife enthusiasts.

Located just 20km from Mysore, the sanctuary offers an up close look at birds from as far away as Siberia, Australia and North America.

Though open year around, Ranganthittu, is truly spectacular during the nesting season (June to October), when the sanctuary bursts with the colours and sounds of thousands of birds and newly-hatched chicks.

Drawn by the isolated islets with their abundance of aquatic insects, Ranganthittu is home to myriad bird species including cormorants, darters, white ibis, storks (spoon billed, open billed, painted, white necked), egrets, herons, terns, swallows, streaked weavers, ducks, teals, sandpipers, kingfishers, whistling teals, and plovers.

The mammal population includes fruit bats, bonnet macaques, palm civets, common mongoose and common otters. The reptilian residents of the sanctuary mainly consist of the marsh crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks.

Visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy a peaceful boat ride along the banks of the river or a leisurely walk through the sanctuary’s winding pathways. There are several excellent educational boards with pictures and information about the birds to aid you in your bird watching.

The sanctuary attracts huge crowds daily, so it is recommended that wildlife and bird enthusiasts get there early before the picnickers arrive.

Somanathpur is 36 Kms from Mysore. Here a small village is another of great architectural beauty built in the 13th century A.D. The star shaped temple with three shrines named after Prasanna Chanakeshava is the latest and the best-preserved examples of Hoysala Architecture.