Mysuru or Mysore, located in southern Karnataka, is one of the historical and renowned tourist destinations in India. It is situated 140 kilometers southwest of Karnataka’s capital, Bengaluru, near the border of Kerala. Famous for its silk garments, beautiful sandalwood crafts, royal splendor, and grandeur, Mysuru is also one of the cleanest cities in India. The city offers numerous attractions for tourists, including gardens, temples, churches, palaces, and museums. Mysuru’s world-famous Dussehra festival is a major attraction for tourists from all over the world.
According to mythological beliefs, Mysuru was once ruled by Mahishasura, which is why it was named Mahisha-ooru. The city’s guardian, Goddess Chamundeshwari, defeated Mahishasura. Later, the name evolved to Mahishuru, then Mysuru, and eventually became known as Mysore and later again changed to Mysuru. Historical evidence indicates that Mysuru was a prominent region during the time of Mauryan ruler Ashoka. Mysuru was ruled by various dynasties, including the Cholas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Yadavas, Wodeyars, and Tipu Sultan.
➥Mysuru Dasara
The festival of Dasara or Dussehra is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India, but Mysuru Dasara has a unique charm of its own. This festival holds the status of a state festival in Karnataka. It is celebrated with full grandeur, royal splendor, and joy. People from all over the world come to witness it. On Vijayadashami, a grand procession takes place at the Mysuru Palace, which is incredibly captivating.
The procession begins with the idol of Mysuru’s guardian deity, Chamundeshwari, mounted on an elephant, accompanied by 11 other elephants, touring the city. The elephants are adorned beautifully. Following them, a contingent of soldiers dressed in traditional attire and armed, accompanied by a marching band, parades through the streets.
This palace is the official residence of the royal family of Mysuru. It is also known as Amba Vilas Palace. The palace was built by Wodeyar King Maharaja Krishnarajendra Wodeyar IV between 1897 and 1912. Its design was created by British architect Henry Irwin. Initially, this palace was made of sandalwood, but it was rebuilt after being damaged in an accident. The three-story structure is constructed using brown granite stones. The pink marble domes add to the palace’s stunning appearance.
➥Chamundeshwari Temple
Chamundeshwari Temple, located on Chamundi Hills, is a major religious and tourist attraction in Mysuru. The temple is 13 kilometers from Mysuru city. Goddess Chamundeshwari is considered the protector of Mysuru and the family deity of the Wadiyar dynasty. It is believed that Goddess Durga, in her incarnation as Chamundeshwari, slew the demon Mahishasura on this hill. A striking statue of Mahishasura has been erected near the temple, where we took photos.
On the Chamundi Hills, there is also a huge statue of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The view of Mysuru city from Chamundi Hills is spectacular. Due to its religious significance and mountainous location, the temple gets quite crowded during the day, so it is best to visit in the morning.
➥Mysuru Zoo
Although I have visited many zoos, I have never seen one as clean and lush as Mysuru Zoo. The excellent maintenance made our visit very enjoyable. The animals here appeared very healthy. Their enclosures were well designed to mimic their natural habitats and meet their needs. We saw white tigers, tigers, gorillas, and various other animals brought here from many different countries.
We also saw a white peacock, which was in a very cheerful mood and dancing. Inside the zoo is Karanji Lake, which attracts many migratory birds every year. There is also a biological park with numerous Indian and foreign plant species. Children will love this place, so it is definitely worth visiting with family.
➥Vrindavan Garden
Located 19 kilometers away from Mysuru city on the banks of the Kaveri River, below the Krishnaraj Sagar Dam, Vrindavan Garden is a major attraction of Mysuru. This expansive garden, known for its beauty, is also a popular filming location. It is adorned with colorful flowers and fountains. Modeled after the Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir, this garden is filled with beautiful flower beds.
There is a pond in the park where you can enjoy boating. Sitting on the lush green grass and admiring the beauty of this garden was a wonderful experience. The best view of Vrindavan Garden is seen after sunset when a colorful Fountain Show synchronized to music takes place. It occurs in an open space, attracting a large crowd to witness the spectacle.
➥Sand and Wax Museum
This is a great place for art enthusiasts. In the Sand Museum, artist M.N. Gowri has created beautiful sculptures out of sand, depicting figures like Mother Durga, Ganesha, and attractive sculptures of various animals. You will be amazed to see these sculptures as they look very lifelike. The museum is located on the way to Chamundeshwari Temple, so make sure to visit it.
In the Wax Museum, there are around 100 life-sized sculptures made from wax, featuring prominent figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, and more. Modeled after London’s Madame Tussauds Museum, this Wax Museum is famous for its wax sculptures of more than 300 musicians from India and abroad. It was built to preserve the ancient heritage of music. If you are a music enthusiast, this museum is a must-visit.
➥Rail Museum
Railways hold a significant place in everyone’s life, but due to my father’s job in the railways, my entire childhood was spent on railway campuses, which is why I have a special affinity towards trains. If you too want to learn something about railways, Mysuru won’t disappoint you. There is a Rail Museum here that showcases the progressive development of railways. It was established in 1979.
In this museum, you can see steam-operated locomotives, old signaling systems, and the royal saloon of the Maharaja of Mysuru. There are also books related to railways that acquaint you with the history of the railways.
➥Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve
Located approximately 73 kilometers away from Mysuru, Bandipur is a Tiger Reserve spread over 800 square kilometers. This jungle is highly favored by nature enthusiasts for its beautiful and dense forests. In this park, one can find animals like tigers, deer, elephants, sloth bears, and more. The birdlife includes owls, eagles, vultures, kingfishers, peacocks, and others.
Bandipur offers well-organized jeep safaris, bus safaris, and elephant safaris. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. We observed elephants, deer, peacocks, and many birds here, although we did not spot a tiger. The best time to visit Bandipur Tiger Reserve is between June and October.
Apart from these, Mysuru also offers other places to visit such as Saint Philomena Church, Art Gallery, and Bonsai Garden where you can go. In short, Mysuru is a city of festivals that impresses you with its unique style. Everyone should visit Mysuru at least once.
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➜ Don’t forget to do in Mysuru: Witnessing Mysuru Dasara, shopping for silk and sandalwood products, photography.
➜ How to reach Mysuru: Mysuru is connected to the rest of the country via an airport and a railway station. You can easily reach Mysuru from Bengaluru by road.
➜ Best time to visit Mysuru: While Mysuru can be visited throughout the year, the best time is during Dasara when the festival is celebrated.
➜ Ideal duration for a trip to Mysuru: 3 days / 2 nights
