Mysore

Mysore

With magnificent architecture, age-old buildings and royal heritage, Mysore is a very popular tourist destination in India. Also known as the city of palaces Mysore was home to the Wadiyar dynasty and has the Mysore palace at the heart of the city. The official name of the place is Mysuru which means the abode of Mahishasur, but locals still like to call it as Mysore. For all the travel enthusiasts who love cityscapes and photography, Mysore is the right place to visit..

History

Mysore was always a princely state, ruled by many royal dynasties one after the other. Mysore was established in 1399 and the earliest records of the city are found from 1551. Before the British established their rule, the city was ruled by the Wadiyars. After the British presence, till Indian independence in 1947, Mysore remained a Princely State with the Wadiyars continuing their rule within the British Indian Empire. At the time of India’s independence in 1947, Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar signed the instrument of accession, making Mysore a part of India.

Mysore Palace

The most popular thing to do in Mysore is visiting the Mysore Palace. It was the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. Situated in the Chamrajpura, the Mysore palace faces the Chamundi Hills eastward. The palace can leave an impact on the visitor as the architecture is very inspiring and the interior of the palace very alluring. For visiting the palace, you will have to get a ticket and watch out for the visiting hours.

Mysore Dasara (Dussehra)

If you talk about Dussehra in India, you would hear about Mysore Dasara now and then. One of the most popular Dussehra in India is the Mysore Dasara and one of the most awaited festivals for the locals. Mysore Dasara is the state festival of Karnataka. It is a 10-day festival starting from day 1 of Navratri. On Vijayadashami (the tenth day), the traditional Dasara procession is held on the streets of Mysore city. The entire city lights up during these 10 days and the festivities bring about a different kind of enthusiasm in Mysuru. If you are planning to visit the place, do plan it during the Navratri days.

Visit Chamundeshwari Temple

If you have are going to Mysuru, another major thing to do is visiting the Chamundeshwari temple. Dedicated to the fierce form of goddess Durga, Chamundeshwari, the temple is situated at the Chamundi Hills. If you are visiting the temple, you will have to walk one thousand steps uphill to reach the temple. The shrine is believed to have been built in the 12th century. The construction of the temple is one of a kind and attracts many visitors.

Go on an eating spree

There are a lot of places to visit in Mysuru, such as the Jaganmohan Palace, Karanji Lake, Mysore Zoo, Somanathapura Temple and many more. But one thing that attracts a lot of people is the cuisine of Mysore. The city is popular for its taste and its authentic south Indian flavours. Dishes like Shavige Bath, Pongal, Chutneys, Pickles, Vangi Baath, Bisi bele bath are very popular here. Even the desserts such as Payasam, Jalebi, Rave Unde live in the heart of people. So, if you are visiting this city of palaces, do take out some time to try the local food here.