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Mysore
is the perfect place to start exploring Karnataka. Positioned at a
strategic location geographically, Mysore offers an unbelievable variety
of places to visit and explore. The city itself has a good chunk of the
state’s royal history, having been the state capital for several
dynasties. A few hours drive from Mysore will take you to wildlife
sanctuaries, heritage centers, rivers, temples, the coast and hill
stations; all you have to do is pick your destination.
The
Mysore Palace
is built in Indo-Saracenic style and is a repository of exquisite
carvings and works of art collected from all over the world. Designed by
an English architect, Henry Irwin, the new palace is an interesting
combination of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. Known as the
Amba Palace, it was formerly the residence of the royal family, the
Wodeyars.
Chamundi Hills
form an excellent backdrop to the city. A mere 13km away, the summit
offers a panoramic view of Mysore’s lakes, parks and palaces. Atop the
hill is the 12th century Chamundeshwari temple, adjoining the
gigantic statue of Mahisasura, the buffalo-headed demon. Legend has it
that goddess Chamundeshwari; the patron deity of the Wodeyars killed
Mahishasura on these very hills, thus bringing peace to the land.
Commonly called the Mysore Zoo, the Sri Jayachamarendra
Zoological Gardens was established in 1892 and is home to a variety of
rare animals bred in captivity. It is also a repository of over 110
species of plants and trees from several countries.
In a
city seeped in tradition, the St. Philomena’s Church, reminiscent
of medieval architectural styles blends in perfectly, providing just the
right amount of contrast and intrigue.
The
Jagan Mohan palace houses the Jaya Chamarajendra Art gallery that
boasts an excellent collection of paintings by renowned artists like
Ravi Varma and Svetoslav Roerich, along with traditional Mysore gold
leaf paintings.
The
Folklore Museum
at Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion in the Manasagangotri campus is a
storehouse of folk culture with its collection of costumes, dolls,
handicrafts, implements, utensils, and even articles of daily use.
A few yards from the railway station is the
Rail Museum.
The museum contains a number of interesting exhibits- like the vintage
Maharani’s Saloon built in the UK in 1899 and a Kitchen-dining car built
in Mysore in 1914.
The
Regional Museum of Natural History provides a unique opportunity to
explore the natural world. There is also a ‘Temporary Exhibition Hall’
and a ‘Discovery Centre’ where learning about nature is made fun and
enjoyable.
While
in the vicinity of the university campus, you can also picnic at the
Kukkara Halli Tank, located close by. Depending on the time of the
day, joggers and picnickers are often seen here.
In
October, the sedate city of Mysore gears up for the annual Dussehra
celebrations. This festival is celebrated with pomp and pageantry
for ten full days-with fairs, cultural events, dance performances and
musical concerts being the order of the day.
The
Brindavan Gardens,
laid out in typical Mughal style is adjacent to India’s first irrigation
dam- the Krishnarajasagar Dam, across the river Cauvery. One of Mysore’s
most popular attractions, the garden is totally transformed after
sundown into a wonderland complete with colored lights and musical
fountains.
SHOPPING IN MYSORE
Mysore
is renowned for its fine silks and exquisite artifacts in sandalwood and
rosewood. Brightly colored Mysore paintings are also a favorite of
souvenir shoppers and art collectors. The best places to shop are
Sayyaji Road, the main shopping area, Dhanvantri Road and
Ashoka Road. For Saris, the Government Silk Factory on Jhansi
Lakshmi Bai Road is the place to go.
GETAWAYS FROM MYSORE
Kabini River Lodge
On the
banks of the Kabini River in Karapur village is the Kabini River
Lodge- one of the top five wildlife resorts according to Tatlers guide.
Built around the erstwhile hunting bungalows of the Maharajas of Mysore,
the resort is developed by Jungle Lodges & Resorts, a unit of the
Karnataka Tourism Department. Jeep safaris, elephant rides, coracle
rides, and nature walks are easy ways to awaken the naturalist and the
wildlife enthusiast in you.
Chennavakeshava Temple, Somnathpur
Situated in the tiny village of Somnathpur, 35km from Mysore, the
Chennakeshava temple with its characteristic Hoysala architecture, the
stellar platform, is the best-preserved monument of that style.
Talakkad
Located 45km from Mysore, on the Eastern banks of the Cauvery River, in
the T. Narasipura Taluk, Talakkad is an ancient temple town that
now lies buried under sand dunes. Famed for its Kirthinarayana temple,
the town comes alive once in twelve years when thousands of devotees
throng to Talakkad for the Panchalinga Darshan.
Nanjangud
Nanjangud takes its name from the Nanjundeshwara temple set on
the banks of the Kapila River. Built in Dravidian style, the massive
temple has an imposing Rajagopuram. Nanjangud is 23kms from Mysore and
famous for Sadvaidyashala- the first Ayurveda Centre in Karnataka
and also the local Rasbale (bananas).
Srirangapatna
Within
this historic island fortress of the legendary warrior king, Tipu Sultan
is a mosque, the Temple of Ranganatha Swamy, revered by the
Sultan, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British
officers were once imprisoned. Tipu’s summer palace- Daria Daulat
Bagh, set amidst a lovely garden is now a museum. It is truly a
tribute to the sultan’s fine sense of aesthetics. The museum houses
Tipu’s memorabilia- his weapons, a map of his fort, an assorted
collection of old paintings, coins, European paintings, Persian
manuscripts written on handmade paper, a model of Srirangapatnam frescos
and murals depicting the splendor of his kingdom.
Even
more evocative of the era is the ornate white-domed Gumbaz, or
mausoleum, of Tipu and his father, Haider Ali. It is an imposing
structure with rosewood doors inlaid with ivory leading to the tombs of
Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Situated about 5km upstream from Srirangapatna, where the river Cauvery
flows around a string of tiny islets, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is an
all- season picturesque preserve for water birds, cormorants,
spoonbills, river terns, plovers, open-billed storks, white ibises,
egrets, darters and herons. An early morning boat ride is a great way to
watch birds here. Watch thee winged visitors building nests or plunge
into the water.
Kokkrebellur Pelicanry
Come
December, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts make a beeline to the tiny
hamlet of Kokkrebellur, in the sugarcane-rich Mandya District, to
witness a dramatic spectacle enacted year after year with unfailing
regularity. The normally quiet village comes alive with the arrival of
the spot-billed pelicans and painted storks that nest here. You can see
the birds in their breeding plumage, building and guarding their nests,
incubating the eggs, nursing and feeding the young ones. It is
fascinating to observe the birds living in perfect harmony with the
villagers and enjoying their protection.
Shivanasamudram Falls
Explore this region 65km East of Mysore in the monsoon season, when the
falls are at their heaviest. The combination of forested hills and lush
green valleys form a perfect setting for the Cauvery River as it hurdles
down from a height of 75m into a deep, rocky gorge to form two falls,
Barachukki and Gaganachukki. 1.5km from Shivanasamudram is
Shimsha, Asia’s first hydroelectric project, established at the
behest of Sir. M. Vishveshwaraya in 1092. While there, stop by the
Ranganatha temple and Someshwara temple. Ideal for a day trip
during the wet season, it is advisable to carry a picnic hamper, as
there are not many eateries here.
Melkote
A
scenic hill town known for its shrines, monasteries, Iyengar puliyodarai
and the Academy of Sanskrit Research. Melkote is also the site of the 12th
century, Cheluvarayaswami temple. The history goes that Ramanuja,
the Vaishnavaite saint ercovered the lost idol of the main deity and
installed it here. Hence, Ramanuja is worshiped along with Vishnu in the
Narayana temple here. The temple is now is an important for his
followers.
The
main attraction at Melkote is the annual Vairamudi festival, when
the deity is adorned with the legendary diamond-studded crown belonging
to the former maharajas of Mysore and taken out in procession through
the town.
Getting there:
Road:
Bangalore- 140km.
Rail:
there are several passenger and express trains linking Mysore with
Bangalore, Chennai and other towns. It’s a 3 hour journey from
Bangalore.
Air:
Bangalore- 140km.
FOR
FURTHER DETAILS OF HOTELS, SPONSORING AND TOUR PACKAGES CONTACT US AT:
info@mahamasthakabhisheka.com
info@jainheritagecentres.com
travel@mahamasthakabhisheka.com
Information Sources:
WWW.JAINHERITAGECENTRES.COM & DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM,
GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA
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