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| CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| MYSORE EXCURSIONS |
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| RELIGIOUS PLACES |
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| Mysore Palace or Amba Vilas Palace |
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Mysore Palace is the most attractive monument of the Mysore city. It was the residence of the Wodeyar Maharaja and is also known as Amba Vilas. It is located in the heart of the Mysore city. The original palace was made up of wood, which turned down into ash in 1897. The British architect, Henry Irwin designed the palace in Indo-Saracenic, Oriental, Dravidian and Roman style. It was rebuilt in 1912. The palace is a treasure house of artworks and exquisite carvings.
Mysore Palace is also popularly known as the Maharaja's Palace. It is a three-storey beautiful building built with fine gray granite and rich pink marble domes. The entry to the palace is from the 'Gombe Thotti' or the Doll's Pavilion. It is a gallery of traditional dolls. This collection also includes a wooden elephant howdah. Howdah in Indian parlance means a structure for carrying people on the elephant. The elephant gate with the Mysore royal symbol of a double-headed eagle is the main entrance to the center of a palace. The 'Kalyana Mantapa' which means marriage pavilion, has a central gabled roof. This roof is covered with stained glass with attractive peacock motifs. The floor is made of glittering glazed tiles imported from Britain.
The Diwan-e-Aam (Durbar Hall) of Mysore Palace is situated on the second floor. It has ornamented ceiling, a shining floor and sculptured pillars. The paintings describing eight manifestations of the Goddess of Strength and scenes from the epics are displayed here. On the same floor towards south is Diwan-e-Khas (hall for private audience). It has finely carved doors and beautiful stained glass ceiling. The walls and ceiling are designed with blue, red and gold colors. |
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| Jaganmohan Palace |
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The Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore is one of the oldest buildings in Mysore. This Palace is more that 150 years old. Like the Mysore Palace this Palace too is a beautiful and ornamental Palace built by the Kings of Mysore. In the 150 years of its existence this Palace has witnessed a number of important events that have been instrumental in shaping the destiny of the modern State of Mysore today known as Karnataka. This Palace was built in 1861 and was initially an ornate wooden one and was being used by the Royal family when a fire destroyed it in 1897.
The Royal family lived in this palace till the main Mysore Palace was built. The coronation of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV was held here in 1902. The then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Lord Curzon, attended this ceremony. At the time of the wedding of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the ornamental front portion with a hall was added to the main building and is therefore called the Wedding Pavilion. The wedding pavilion was also used as the Dubar Hall where Krishanraja Wodeyar IV held his annual birthday and the Dasara Durbars till the completion of the new Sejje or Durbar Hall in the main Palace in 1910.
The pavilion was used, as the venue for the Representative Assembly after 1923, a democratic institution consisting of the people's representative to deliberate on the affairs of the state, this representative assembly was the first of its kind in a princely state, an arrangement made by the Mysore Maharajas. Initially the convocation ceremonies of the Mysore University were held in this attractive hall. The hall was also used as an auditorium for staging plays and other cultural activities for the members of the royal family. Many important meetings and sessions were held in this hall till alternative venues came up in the city. |
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| Lalitha Mahal |
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On a low hill, just outside the royal city of Mysore, stand a shimmering white palace - a splendid Italianate palazzo, double-columned and domed - set in sparawling terraced and landscaped gardens. This is the Lalitha Mahal Palace, built by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore to host his most important guest, the Viceroy of India. The Lalitha Mahal is now one of India's most opulent hotels, a palace hotel that offers an experience of princely living in a real Maharaja's palace.
Set on a ridge commanding a panoramic view of the gently sloping and curving valley, at the foot of the Chamundi hill, this dream-like palace was built in the year 1931 for special guests of the Maharajas. The building is a majestic, two-storey composition of twin ionic columns, a projecting porch on the ground floor, spherical domes with laterns and the central dome which dominates the elevation. |
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| Tipu Sultan's Palace in Srirangapatna |
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Daria Daulat Bagh (Summer Palace) of Tipu Sultan was constructed in the year 1784 and is an extant reminder of Tipu's love for the verdant environs and open space. Daria Daulat Bagh was his summer palace where the exhausted Tipu sought repose after his physically and mentally draining confrontations with the British. Teak wood is used in its construction and the structure stands on a raised platform that is about 1.5 meters high. The palace has a corridor that runs along its four sides with narrowing lotus-form wooden pillars with trefoil arches at the edges of the footstall. The pillars made of wood that support the trefoil arches lead to halls that have interesting paintings on the walls. These mural paintings are characterized by their macabre details of Tipu's ordeals in the battlefields in Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. The construction of the palace is said to be inspired by a palace in Sira built by the Moghul Governor Dilavar Khan. The palace is now no more. One remarkable feature about the palace is the amount of wood used in the constructions of its ceilings, walls, pillars, canopies and arches. These woods are very brightly and artistically painted too. While the outer walls of the building are devoted to war scenes and portrait paintings, the inner walls are graced with floral patterns and geometric designs. The summer palace doubles as the Tipu Sultan Museum that has a rare and priceless collection of coins, paintings and Tipu's personal belongings. |
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| Karanji Lake |
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This lake is located at the bottom of the Chamundi hills and is close to the center of the city. This lake is spread over 90 acres and is home to more than 90 species of resident and migratory birds. The lake also has India's largest walkthrough aviary. The lake has boating facilities that are available on all days except Tuesday. On the banks of the Karanji lake is the Regional Museum of Natural History. With the Chamundi hills as a backdrop makes the lake look picture perfect. The lake and its surroundings allow you to appreciate nature and the Regional Museum that is adjacent to the lake, will help you increase you knowledge about the natural environment in South India and will help you understand the importance of conservation of nature. The lake has a bund on which you can take refreshing walk. |
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| Srirangapatna |
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Srirangapatna is small town 15 km northeast of Mysore. The island fortress of the legendary Tiger of Mysore - Tipu Sultan, takes you through the pages of history. Every stone, every Temple, every Palace and every Mosque in here has a story to tell.
Srirangapatna, renowned for its seemingly impregnable fort, associated with the great ruler Tipu Sultan, is situated at the western end of an oval shaped island formed by the two branches of the Cauvery. It is the island fortress of Tipu Sultan, the legendary Tiger of Mysore who put up a valiant fight against British domination. The high stonewalls and moats enclose palaces, with its beautiful frescoes, Wellesley Bridge and the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple are other monuments from its chequered past. A must visit here is the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, built fully by wood which is today a museum devoted to Tipu Sultan. |
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| Shravanbelagola |
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Shravanabelagola is another place worth visiting while at Mysore. Shravanabelagola is famous for the monolith of Bahubali or Gommateshwara. There are two stony hills called Chandragiri and Indragiri. Chandragiri is famous for the Chandragupta Basadi built by the Gangas. Indragiri is famous for the Chavendaraya Basadi and the gigantic statue of Gommateshwara.
Shravanabelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage center situated on top of the Indragiri hills. The small town of Shravanabelagola is about 84km from Mysore. The hill has 14 basadis or temples and many Jain monasteries. The most famous basadi is the Chavundaraya basadi that was built in 982 AD. The beautifully carved pillar called the Tyagada Brahma Pillar is also found here. The floral designs on this pillar are exceptional.The most important tourist attraction here is the enormous statue of Bahubali or Gommateshwara. He was a King who renounced his kingdom and spent the rest of his life meditating till he attained Nirvana.
The naked statue of Gommateshwara is 58 feet high and 26 feet wide and has 10 feet long feet. The statue was carved out of the black granite of the hill and is a picture of serenity and composure. Thousands of devotees gather here once in 12 years to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka or sacred anointment, which is a grand and extravagant ceremony. Hundreds of pots of curd, milk, honey vermilion, coconut water, turmeric paste and even gold and precious jewels are poured over the statue's head by the priests. The Mahamastakabhisheka will be held this year i.e. 2006AD. |
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| Vrindavan Gardens |
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This important and not to be missed place is located about 15 KMs towards North-West from mysore city. This place is in "Mandya District". A dam has been constructed across river Kaveri that originates from "Bhagamandala" in Kodagu district and is used for irrigation purposes. This project was dreamt by "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth" and brought "Sir M. Vishweshvariah" from Bombay government and took him as Chief Engineer for Mysore State. This dam was completed in 1932 and brought joy and helped the farmers from Mysore and Mandya district.
A garden has been made below the dam using the water resources of the dam. The lighting is fantastic in the night, the main attraction is the "Dancing Fountain" where the fountain has been made to sprinkle water according to the music being played. People stay to see this beautiful event. |
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| Nanjangud |
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Another popular excursion from Mysore city is Nanjangud. Nanjangud is 25kms from Mysore. It is a holy place because of the Nanjundeswara or Srikanteswara temple. It is called Garalapuri because of this famous temple. This place is an important pilgrim center and is named after its famous temple the Nanjundeshwara temple. The temple is built in the Dravidian style and is the only one of its kind in Karnataka. It is said that the sage Gauthama stayed in Nanjangud for sometime and installed a Linga in this place. Nanjangud is also known as 'Dakshina Kashi' or the Varanasi of the South.
Nanjangud is situated on the right bank of the river Kapila also known as Kabini. This river is a tributary of the River Cauvery. Close to the town of Nanjangud is the confluence or Sangam of the rivers Kapila and Gundlu. This confluence is called "Parahurama Kshetra". It is said that it is here that Parashurama had repented for the sin of beheading his mother. There is a Parashurama temple built in the Mysore style, the sanctum has an idol of Lord Parashurama and he is worshipped here. This place has temples dedicated to Anjaneya and Basaveshwara too. Nanjangud is also an important industrial hub of Myosre district. Many big Indian and multinational companies have their units in Nanjangud. |
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| Shivanasamudra |
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Shivanasamudra is about 85kms to the east of Mysore. At Shivanasamudra the river Cauvery cascades down a deep rocky gorge in two breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls- Bharachukki and Gaganachukki. The sight of these two falls is enchanting and the best time to visit them is during the monsoon. The falls are considered to be one among the 100 best waterfalls in the world. The waterfalls are pristine and are not easy to approach as they are too steep and rocky.
The Bharachukki and Ganganachukki falls are created as the River Cauvery roars down a 75-meter gorge. The river divides around the 700-acre picturesque Shivanasamudra Island. On the one side, it forms the Gaganachukki falls and on the other side are the Bharachukki falls. It is said that the Gaganachukki falls are shaped like a large horsetail and Bharachukki is a jagged crashing cascade. These falls are beautiful no doubt but during the monsoon the falls swell to about 1, 000 feet wide.
This is a famous picnic spot as the surroundings are lovely and pleasing. And one can take a much-needed break from the hectic day-to-day life in nature's lap at this spot. So you have the time you could take a break from the city of Mysore and visit Shivanasamudra. |
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RELIGIOUS PLACES IN MYSORE |
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| Chamundi Temple |
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The Chamundi Temple on top of the Chamundi hills is the most famous temple in Mysore, since Goddess Chamundi or Chamundeshwari is the presiding deity of Msyore. Initially the temple was a small one, but over the past few centuries, as a result of the patronage and expansions made by the Mysore Maharajas it has become a big temple. In the olden days, human and animal sacrifices were regularly made at this temple, but were stopped in the 18th century.
The temple has a quadrangular structure. The Gopura or pyramidal tower at the entrance is intricately decorated in the Dravidian style and has a small statue of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of Goddess in different forms on it. As one passes through the main gate, on the right hand side is a small statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. Climb a few steps and there is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess and a small statue of Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum.
In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone statue of the Goddess that is decorated everyday and is worshipped by a number of priests. The Mysore Maharajas have made a number of valuable gifts to their family deity. In the room in front of the sanctum sanctorum, there is a beautiful 6-foot statue of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. He is standing with his hands folded in his religious clothes, with his three wives; their names are carved on the pedestals. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar repaired this temple in 1827 and built the enormous tower on it. He also gifted the temple with a large wooden chariot known as the Simha Vahana, which is now used during the Rathotsava or car festival. |
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| Varahaswamy Temple |
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The Shweta Varahaswamy temple is also known as the Varahaswamy temple. This temple is located at the southern entrance of the Fort. The temple is built in the architectural style followed by the Hoysalas. The shrine of the Goddess has an elegantly carved doorway and intricately carved pillars and tower. The Navaranga has stucco niches at the sides of the entrance. The Navaranga has beautiful mural paintings on its walls. These paintings depict incidents from the Ramayana and the Bhagavata. These paintings especially pay attention to the exploits of Lord Krishna.
The temple has images with inscriptions on their pedestals. There is an inscription on a processional image that records that its donor was Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1672-1704). It is said that Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar obtained the stone image of Shweta Varahaswamy from Srimushnam, a city in what is the present day Tamil Nadu and consecrated it at the new temple built in Srirnagapatna, the then capital of Mysore State. After the defeat of Tippu Sultan the capital was shifted back to Mysore city and the idol too was shifted from there and installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the present temple in 1809.
It is claimed that Dewan Purnaiya had this temple built with materials of a Hoysala building in Shimoga district according to the wishes of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. There are two inscribed images of Srivaishnava Acharyas, Desikar and Jiyar, in the temple. Desikar also known as Vedanthacharya was a popular Sri Vaishnava teacher and author in the 13th and 14the centuries. These statues have inscriptions on them that indicate that Krishnaraja Wodeyar III presented them to the temple at Mysore that he built in 1829. The temple structure has a number of masons' marks and letters in several places. |
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| St. Philomena's Church |
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St. Philomena's Church is built in the honour of St. Philomena, who is known as the martyr for Christ. The church is located in the Mysore city of Karnataka State. This church is India's one of the grandest churches. It was built in 1933, though its background dates back more than two centuries. During the early days of colonial rule, the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III realized the need for a Christian church and small church was built in 1799. Later on, the expanding Christian population made it necessary to build a large church. So in the place of the small church a new, large and grand church was built in 1933. That new church is the St. Philomena's Church, built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, which is frequented by the tourists.
Philomena was the only daughter of the monarch of a small state of Greece. Since childhood, Philomena showed signs of piety. At the age of thirteen years, her father took her to the Emperor Diocletion to obtain favour. Emperor was enthralled by her beauty and wished to marry her. On her refusal, she was tortured and beheaded in Rome. Later on, she was given sainthood and a number of churches were constructed all over the world as a dedication to her.
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| Lakshmiramana Swamy Temple |
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The Lakshmiramana Swamy temple in Mysore is one of the oldest temples in the city. In an inscription found at the Banni Mantapa in Mysore there is a mention of a grant for God Lakshminarayana in 1499 by the Vijayanagara King Narasa Nayaka, the father of the famous Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadevaraya. There is an inscription in the temple dated November 30, 1851, recording that Krishnaraja Wodeyar III renovated the tower built over the Mahaswara (the main entrance) Raja Wodeyar built the original tower. There is a statue of Raja Wodeyar to the right side in the Prakara that is about 2 feet in height. The main deity of the temple is Nambinarayana, a form of Vishnu, the sanctum sanctorum has a statue of Him holding the discus and the conch. There is a cell to the right that has a statue of his consort, the Goddess Lakshmi. There is a beautiful statue of Lord Venugopala that is about 4 feet. Kantirava Narasaraja Wodeyar (1638-1659) built the magnificent mantapa in the rear of the temple. The temple was the venue for the coronation of the five-year-old-child Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. As there was no other place that was suitable enough for the coronation, the British placed the child King on the throne of Mysore in this temple on June 30, 1799, after the death of Tippu Sultan. The temple is located on the western part of the fort inside the Palace near the Residential Museum. There are two interesting incidents associated with this famous temple. According to legend, a chieftain of Karugahalli was defeated at the hands of Raja Wodeya and wanted revenge. Therefore he bribed the priest of the temple to offer the King poison mixed with holy water (thirtha), when he came to the temple to offer daily prayers. While doing so the priest's hands trembled. And on being questioned by the King the priest confessed that he had poisoned the holy water. Raja Wodeyar drank that water and it had no effect on him as a result of his faith in Lord Lakshminarayana. |
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Krishnaraja Wodeyar III built the Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna the founder of the Yadu dynasty. Construction of temple began 1825 and was completed in 1829. He presented the temple with about 40 bronze statues of Gods, Goddesses and saints. His name was inscribed next to the name of the statue. There is a statue of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III along with his wives with labels on their pedestals. The statue of the Maharaja is also worshipped.
In the prakara or the enclosure of the temple is a small cell enshrining the figure of the sage Atri. The figure of the sage was installed, as he was the gotra-rishi of the Maharaja. In the shrine of Ramanujacharya in the temple, there are three small stone figures of Paravasudeva, Anathasayana and Rajamannar (a form of Lord Krishna). The Navaranga (the central pillared hall) of Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple has beautiful murals on its walls. The murals represent stories from Bhagavat the epic relating to Krishna.
These murals along with those in the Varahaswamy temple are exquisite examples of the distinctive and exceptional 19th century Mysore paintings. The sanctum sanctorum has a beautiful statue of Lord Krishna in the crawling posture, Ambegalu Krishna. The statue is made of chlorite schist. He has a butterball in his hand and a childish expression. This temple is known for its Kirshna Janmashtami celebrations. During the eight day celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday a religious procession is organized from this temple. |
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