Mysore Travel Guide
Mysore is located in the South Indian state of Karnataka around 140 km
from Bangalore. The city extends from latitude 12°18' in the North
to longitude 76°42' in the East. Mysore is well connected through
road and rail networks with other parts of Karnataka and India. Mysore
is just as famous for its silk and sandalwood, its palaces and its
leisurely way of life. Being home to the royality for centruries, Mysore
naturally has a number of palaces, parks and boulevards as well as
museums and cultural centres. The city retains its old world charm and
allows the visitor an opportunity to move around and absorb its sights
and sounds in a relaxed way. The Maharajah's palace in the heart of the
city is truly regal in its dimensions and elegance. The present palace
was built in 1907 on the foundations of an earlier structure which was
destroyed in a fire in 1897. Only a section of the palace is open to
visitors. The Lalitha Mahal palace, nine kilometres away, is at the foot
of the Chamundi hills. The palace is white in colour and its dome was
desiged after St. Paul's Cathedral in London. A guest house for the
royal family in the past, the palace has been modified into a luxury
hotel now.
Getting There
By Air :
The nearest airport is Bangalore. All domestic airlines are operating
flights to and from Bangalore to all major cities of the country. A few
international flights to the Middle East are also operated from
Bangalore.
Air Cargo Services
Air-India also has an office
MSIL Building, Cargo Complex, Airport Road, Bangalore- 560 017
Tel : + 91 - 080 - 5261531, Fax : + 91 - 080 - 5269525
By Rail :
There are many train services operating between Bangalore and Mysore.
The Shatabdi Express connects Mysore to Chennai. The ideal route to
reach Mysore is via Bangalore.
By Road :
State Highways connect Mysore to the national Highways and to all parts
of the country. Bus services by Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and
transport corporations of the neighboring states as well as private tour
operators make it easy to reach the city without any difficulty. It is
only a 3 hour journey from Bangalore.
Tourist Attractions:
The Brindavan gardens
The Brindavan gardens are located at a distance of 12 kilometers from
the main Mysore city. It is popular among tourists for its beautiful
water fountains and lighting.
The Rangana Tittu bird sanctuary
The Rangana Tittu bird sanctuary is situated midway between Mysore and
Sriranganapattna. This bird sanctuary is popular among tourists because
it is a unique experience to go bird watching on tiny boats, as there is
a network of rivulets running through the sanctuary.
The Jagan Mohana Palace
Jagan Mohana Palace popularly known as the Jayachamaraja art gallery.
This art gallery has ancient paintings and artifacts that are centuries
old.
Mysore Palace
The Mahrajah's Palace is a magnificent three-storied structure with a
five-storey tower designed by the English architect Henry Irwin, built
out of local material. The colourful Dasara procession starts from the
precincts of the Palace. The famous Mysore palace also known as the Amba
Villas Palace is one of the largest palaces in the country. The palace
was originally built of wood, which got burnt down in 1897 and was
rebuilt in 1912. Henry Irwin, the architect of the Viceregal Lodge at
Shimla, designed the Mysore Palace. It is a healthy combination of
Dravidian, Indo-Sarcenic, Oriental and Roman styles. Once the residence
of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore, this imperial palace is one of the
largest in the country. It is managed by the Department of Archaeology
and Museums of the Government of Karnataka. It is beautifully restored
and maintained
