Mysore is one of the most eminent travel destinations in south India. Earlier, it was the capital of Wodeyar rulers who ruled over this huge patch of land. The Wodeyar were more than equipped with art and culture and this clearly reflects in the many buildings and palaces of interest that Mysore has. Dasara held in Mysore in the month of November is a huge crowd puller. People are also besotted with the colossal amount of sandalwood production in the state. Let’s quickly seek the place through a traveler’s eye.

How to travel

By air- Bangalore airport is the nearest one at a distance of 140 kilometers (about 80 miles). The talks for an airport in Mysore are also on.

By train- Mysore junction is its indigenous railway station. As it’s a junction, numerous trains ply between Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi, and Thanjavur. Mysore-Chennai Shatabdi express is among the nicest way to travel. Tipu express is another eminent train running in these parts. It’s named after the freedom fighter Tipu Sultan.

Bus link- Buses run at a very high frequency between bangalore mysore and Mysore and Chennai. They are also available from different small cities towards Mysore. The interval of operation is about 5 minutes. The idea is to make things as comfortable as possible for the tourists. But the buses are pretty filled during the weekends so it is recommended to get a booking in advance. Central bus stand and the City bus stand are the two major bus stands in the city.

By car- Car trips shall be avoided. Though there is a four-lane highway between Bangalore to Mysore, yet lack of government initiatives has kept the roads potholed. Further, there are too many barricades.

Mysore Sight Seeing

Mysore palace- rosewood doors and ivory ceilings add to the breathtaking compass of the palace. There are marble figurines and encrusted precious jewels which make the palace reek in resplendence of the olden times. It is the best from the Wodeyar yards and truly magnificent in its splendor. You will find quite a few paintings of the royal family which will act as an archive to know more about the age of the Wodeyar. On Sundays and national holidays, more than 1,00,000 bask the palace in ethereal light.

Chamundi hills- it holds a temple of goddess Chamundeshwari. A Nandi bull statue holds center stage at the adjacent mountain. Polythene is absolutely prohibited. Spread at the altitude of 800 feet, the hills are dens for cheetahs. They only add to the beauty and have never attacked the tourists. Perhaps the shadow of the goddess looms large on them.

Brindavan gardens- these are again the very best a garden can be. Presently, they also hold musical fountains and show of kaleidoscopic lights.

Mysore Zoo- established in the year 1892, it is one of the oldest zoos in the world. The zoo is house to animals from 40 different countries. They host a separate breeding program which is a lesson to many technically blessed places. There is the African Rhino, the royal Bengal tiger, the Nilgiri Tahr, the Himalayan black beer and the list is practically endless. Mysore zoo also hosts the Karanji Lake which becomes a riot of colors during the migration season. Migratory birds frequent the place in large frequencies.

Mysore is also blessed with great museums which throw light on the great heritage of the place. What they offer is truly awe-inspiring.

Specialty

The festival season of Dussehra is a specialty of Mysore. It is held in the Month of November with all pomp and show. Regional participation is very high. On the last day, a cavalcade of state guards mounts the Chamundi hills to honor goddess Chamundi who is seated on the Golden howdah.

Best time to visit- best time to visit the place is between October and March. Mysore should be avoided during monsoon. The entire Malabar coasts can wreak havoc during this time.

Facilities- the hotels and accommodations are pleasantly infested with each possible facility. The guards provide a ring during night hours for more safety to the tourists. There are safety measures undertaken by the government at many points of visits; for instance the chamundi hills and the Mysore palace.

Accommodation

Mysore boasts of quality accommodation. There are quite a few government initiatives. These are the budget hotels for those who have some constraint with their budgets. Apart from these, there are the luxury hotels and deluxe mysore resorts which have each modern day facility to cater to a tourist’s holiday revelry. The hotels are a mix of old world charm and contemporary brilliance.

Vyshak residency and hotel Maurya Mysore are two of the budget hotels. Hotel Bombay Tiffany’s and the Green Hotel are two of the medium-ranged hotels. Hotel Regaalis and hotel Metropole are two of the more elitist spreads in Mysore (resorts in mysore).

Food

Mysore caters to the urban taste quite well. Food prepared is largely of the ethnic variety with a dash of Carnatic spices which gives it a distinct aura. Even the global cuisines are prepared with a lot of Deccan spices. Chicken Chettinad is a must have once you are in this state. Also go for Tayir Sadam, a dish that is made from a proportionate combination of curd and rice. Bisibele Bhaat and Raagi Mudde are another two indigenous fares which are highly appreciated by tourists.

Languages and styles

Mysore is in the Indian state of Karnataka. The provincial language is Kannada; though English is proficiently spoken in these parts and it’s not difficult to communicate for a foreign tourist. People of Mysore are blessed with style. It is perhaps because the place is itself wedded to style quotient. They come out as warm and hospitable. The voice of the city is very warm.

Overall, Mysore happens to be one of the hottest destinations for tourists. This is largely because those interested in history cannot find an equally brilliant heritage site within long miles. Yes, it has tied its compass of history to the current trends in the tourism industry extremely well and this is why it is doing remarkably as a tourist hub.

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