TRAVEL SMART

In And Around Mysore Sightseeing

Mysuru

Mysore 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. Known as Amba Vilas Palace, it was designed by Henry Irwin, the British consultant architect of Madras state, and completed in 1912 on the site of the old wooden palace that was destroyed by fire in 1897. The majestic Durbar Hall with its ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars, and the Marriage Pavilion with its chandeliers , cast-iron pillars, and Belgian stained glass arranged in peacock designs in the domed ceilings are the main attractions. Make sure you see the magnificent jewel-studded golden throne, the pride of the Wodeyar and the symbol of their sovereignty, displayed here during the Dussehra festival in October.
Visiting hours: Daily 10 a m to 5.50 p m
Illumination: Every Sunday and on government holidays at 7 pm to 8 pm

Chamundeshwari temple:
The Chamundeshwari temple is located on a hill in the vicinity of Mysore and is accessed through a motor able road. Chamundeshwari the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas has been held in reverence for centuries, and the Wodeyar of Mysore have made extensive contributions to this shrine. The 4.8m tall monolith of Nandi and the gigantic Mahishasura statue are added attractions. The hill lies at an altitude of 3,489 ft and offers spectacular view of the Mysore city. Chamarajendra Zoological Garden :- Mysore Zoo (Chamarajendra Zoological Garden) was started in 1892 by chamaraja Wodeyar X, then the king of Mysore. Initially as a private Zoo, and was named as Khas-Bangale. It was also called as Thamash Bangle. The Zoo which has now spread over an area of 250 acres was initially ment for the exclusive visit of the royal family but public entry started as early as 1920. It is located inside the city unlike many other Zoos in India and Mysore Zoo is considered to be one of the best in the world.
Timings: 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Open daily, except on Tuesdays.

Railway Museum:
The country's only regional railway museum is found in Mysore city, located a few metres away from the City railway station and modelled on the National Railway Museum in Delhi. The Museum gives a glimpse into the era of steam driven engines and the luxury of the maharani's Saloon (built in the U.K. in 1899) and the maharaja's dining car. Timings: Open to public on all days between 10 am to 5.30 pm The Jaganmohan Palace (Art Gallery):- The Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore is one of the oldest buildings in Mysore. This Palace is more that 150 years old. T he art gallery in the Jaganmohan Palace houses an excellent collection of ceramics, sandalwood, ivory, stone, antique furniture, and ancient musical instruments. You can also gaze at paintings by reputed artists like Ravi Varma and Roerich, as well as traditional Mysore gold leaf paintings.
Timings: 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

St. Philomena's Church:
This imposing Gothic structure with beautiful stained glass windows and lofty towers is a must-see. The church was designed by French architects with the blessings of Krishna Raja wodeyar IV. Its one of the biggest church in Asia continental. The church is located at a distance of 3kms from the city bus stand and 2km from the Palace. The church is open from 8am to 6pm. Holy Mass is held in the morning and evening. Special masses are held on Sundays and on festivals. An Annual Feast is held on August 11th each year.

Srirangapattana:
Srirangapatnam or Srirangapattana is a small town, its monuments and forts silently telling the historic saga of Mysore and various dynasties of the past. Its name was derived from the Ranganatha Temple, a famous centre of Hindu pilgrimage. The Ranganatha Swamy temple represents a mixture of Hoysala and Vijayanagar styles of architecture. With a majestic tower, it is one of the biggest temples in the State. The temple was built over 1,000 years ago. The Vijayanagara king extended it in 1454 A.D. This was the base from where Hyder Ali and his son Tippu Sultan, who usurped power from the Mysore Maharajas, fought the British. This place was the capital of Hyder Ali. The historic town is a mute witness to the days of Chivalry and valour enacted there. As it still bears testimony to a tumultuous history, Srirangapatnam retains touching traces of both glory and misery, in its Fort, Gumbaz, Dungeon, Jumma Masjid, and Daria Daulat.

Brindavan Garden :-
This is India's first irrigation dam, built in 1924. Sir. M. Vishweswariah, the engineer who designed and built this dam, has shown his acumen in converting a dam site into a beautiful garden with colorful fountains and ponds downstream. The dam is named after the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who financed this novel project. Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) represents a marvel of civil engineering achievement in pre-independence India and was among the first in the world to use automatic sluice gates. There is a boating pond to cross the dam from the south bank to the north bank and at the northern edge are the dancing fountains. The dam is over 3 kms long and is constructed at the junction of three rivers - Kavery, Hemavati and Lakshmanathirtha. The tranquil ornamented gardens are laid out below the Krishnaraja Sagar dam and are a popular picnic spot illuminated in the evenings. The musical fountains and colourful lights turn this place into an enchanting fairyland in the evenings. The best season to visit KRS is June-July with the monsoon bringing in plenty of water that gushes through the sluice gates, which open automatically after the maximum head of 124 Feet is reached. The beauty of KRS can be enjoyed all round the year except during the summer months. At 7.00 PM the garden lights up with fountains shining to different colored lights. Adding to the charm the variety of flowerbeds glow in the light. This spectacular sight makes Brindavan gardens unique and it lasts till 8 PM every day (longer during week-ends). Every evening the gardens come alive in a burst of dazzling colours and illumination when twirling and dancing fountains lend an atmosphere of enchantment to this fairyland. Brindavan Gardens is a must visit location for every tourist visiting Mysore.
Illumination: Wednesdays 7:00 P.M to 7:55 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays: 7:00 P.M to 8:55 P.M