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Mysore
Palace :
 Whre
the Mharajas lived… You can't miss the Palace at
Mysore, for all roads lead to the Maharaja's Palace.
Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets,
arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house
of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over
the world. Intricately carved doors open on to
luxuriously furnished rooms.
The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and
many sculpted pillars. See the magnificent jewel
studded golden throne, the pride of the Wodeyars and
the symbol of their sovereignty, displayed here during
the Dasara. The palace, illuminated on Sundays and
Public Holidays, presents a spectacle of breathtaking
beauty.
Chamundi Hills :
Presiding deity; of Mysore. A well known 335 metres
high landmark, Chamundi Hill can be reached by a 13 km
road or by climbing up the 1,000 steps laid out by the
Mysore Maharaja in the 17th century. Half-way up long
the stone steps is Nandi, Lord Shiva's bull, a
majestic 4.8 metre monolith. At the top is the 12th
century temple of Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess
of the Wodeyars. The summit offers a panoramic view of
Mysore's lakes, parks and palaces. MAHISHASURA… From
whom Mysore got its name Close to the temple is the
gigantic stature of the demon Mahishasura.
St. Philomena's Church :
Gothic art A beautiful Cathedral, reminiscent of
medieval architectural style. Stained glass windows
and lofty towers make it an imposing structure.
 Sri
Jayachmarajendra Art Gallery :
A treasure house of masterpieces The Jaganmohan Palace
was converted into an art gallery in 1875 and exhibits
paintings which date back to that period. The artists
of that time used natural vegetable and mineral dyes.
The famous traditional Mysore 'gold leaf'
paintings are also exhibited in the gallery, as are
oil paintings of contemporary Svetoslav Roerich.
Mysore is known the world over for its exotic silks.
At the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory, you can buy
Sandal Powder, Sandal Oil and scented incense sticks.
At the Government Silk Factory you can see the master
weavers at work. Buy shimmering silks straight off the
looms.
Srirangapatna :
The Tiger's Lair Take yourself back to another spot,
another, time. 16 kms away from Mysore is the island
fortress of Tipu Sultan, the legendary Tiger of Mysore
who put up a valiant fight against British domination.
The high stone walls and moats enclose palaces,
temples and a great mosque. Tipu's summer Palace, with
its beautiful frescoes, the tombs of Tipu and Hyder
Ali at Gumbaz, Royal Mosque, Wellesley Bridge and the
celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple are other monuments
from its chequered past.
 Mysore
is more than palaces, parks and temples … the exotic
fragrance of Mysore Jasmine… the melodious strains of
the Veena… the rich aroma of filter coffee…
traditional carvings on fragrant sandalwood, rosewood
and ivory … the rustle of rich silks … delicious
Nanjangud bananas … Hot 'N' Spicy Bisi-bele-hulianna …
mouthwatering Mysore Pak, a traditional sweetmeat … It
is a gourmet's delight and a Shopper's paradise. Shop
at Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium or in the little
backstreets and bylanes that offer some exciting
bargains. Mysore Come, experience it for yourself
Steeped in History Mysore, capital city of the
Wodeyars. Adobe of untold grandeur and glory, where
the rich heritage of the Wodeyars is carefully
preserved to this day in its magnificent places,
beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings,
board shady avenues and sacred temples.
 There's
an old world charm about the city that reaches out and
leaves no one untouched. Mysore, or Mahishur as it was
called then, traces its history back to the mythical
past, when Godess 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 splendour.
Pomp and Pageantry Relived Come to Mysore in October
when the tranquil city awakens to ten days of Dasara
festivities. Brilliantly lit up Palaces, decorated
arches, festooned streets, colourful costumes and
cultural shows…classical music, folk dances, Bharata
Natyam, Yakshagana, Huthari, Torch Light Parade,
Theppotsava… The culmination is the legendary Mysore
Dasara Procession with caparisoned elephants, the
golden howdah, decorated horses, stately coaches,
troops in ceremonial uniforms, folk dancers and
colorful floats.
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