STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
KARNATAKA
Mysore
Mysore, the
sandal wood city is situated at an altitude of 77m about 14 kms from Bangalore,
near the Chamundi hills. This imperial city was the capital of the
Wodeyars. The Wodeyars were the rulers of Mysore since the 14th century,
until the independence from the British except for the 40 years of rule
of Hyder Ali & Tippu Sultan. It is a beautiful city of palaces,
gardens & temples. The ten days and nine nights of Dussera festival
around October/November is the best time to visit Mysore. The city
is full of colour, lights, music & festivities. On the final
day, on Vijayadasami, there is a procession of camels, horses, elephants
all finely decorated, palanquins, coaches, led by the former Maharaja in
a golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
Mysore was
originally known as Mahisuru, for the demon king Mahishasuran was vanquished
here by Goddess Chamundeswari. There is a shrine for Goddess Chamundeswari
atop the Chamundi Hills.
Mysore is famous
for sandalwood, silks, ivory, rose & teak wood carved furniture, sandalwood
oil, agarbathis, etc.
Maharaja's
Palace
The present
grand structure was completed in 1912 at a cost of Rs.42 lakhs. The
old palace had been destroyed by fire & the new palace was raised on
the model and foundations of the old palace. It is in the Indo-Saracenic
style with the use of local materials as far as possible, with beautiful
domes, archways, turrets, colonnades. The
main building is a grey granite structure with seven arches at the entrance.
There are 3 storeys
topped by a five storey tower, which is about 145 ft from the ground to
the golden flag at the summit. The palace is built around an open courtyard
(thotti).
Only four sections
are open to the public - Gombi Thotti, Kalyana Mandapam, Durbar Hall and
Amba Vilas.
In the ground
floor is the beautiful Kalyana Mandapam (marriage pavilion). The
octagonal pavilion has a colourful stained-glass ceiling with peacock designs
& is also known as the peacock pavilion. On the walls of this
pavilion, there are beautiful murals depicting various scenes from the
Dussera festival, a total of 26 panels on canvas executed by the Mysore
artists commissioned by Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
The Durbar
Hall in the first floor is an impressive pillared hall, with a wonderful
display of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma & 8 forms of Devi executed
by artist Shilpi Siddalingaswami on the rear wall. The paintings
of four generations of the royal family can be seen on the central panel.
The Amba Vilas
is also in the first floor, with wonderfully crafted designs on the doors,
walls ceilings.
The royal throne,
decorated with golden pillars, carvings consists of a main seat, steps
leading tot he seat and a golden umbrella. It is on display during
the Dussera festival.
On Sunday nights
and on public holidays, the palace is richly illuminated.
Chamundi
Hills
The Chamundi hill
(3,489 ft) is located about 13 kms from Mysore. The shrine to Goddess
Chamundeswari, the tutelarydeity of the royal family atop this hill can
be reached by a flight of 1000 steps (There is also a motorable road).
 
There is a
giant statue of Mahishasuran, the demon king who was vanquished by Goddess
Chamundi. On the way up, there is a huge monolith Nandi (16 x 25
ft).
Brindavan
Gardens
The well planned
Garden was laid at the base of the Krishnarajasagar dam, across the river
Cauvery. The dam and the garden were built in 1932 during the rule of Krishnaraja
Wodeyar IV.
The gardens
were planned by the Raja's Diwan, Sir Mirza Ismail. This is a beautiful
picnic spot with its beautiful colourful flower beds, fountains, pools,
illuminated in the nights.
The dam was
constructed by the great engineer and statesman, the thenChief Engineer
of Mysore, Sri Visvesvaraya. This is one of the largest dam in South India
(130sq kms). It is a stone structure that has built without cement.
Fishing and boating facilities are available.
Chamarajendra
Art Gallery
Housed in
the Jagmohan Palace, it is also known as the Jagan Mohan Ar Galley.
Various aretefacts such as paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Nicholas Roerich,
ceramic, sandalwood, ivory,metal and stone curios. Antique furniture
and ancient musical instruments are also on display.
Zoological
Gardens
This is a
century old zoo, where wild animals are bred in captivity, including the
King Cobra. It houses about 2,000 animals.
Sandalwood Oil factory (where oil is extrated from the sandalwood & incence sticks are manufactured)
The Govt. Silk Weaving factory
Sri Chamarajendra Technical Institute
Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium
Rail Museum
Maanasa Gangothri (Mysore University Campus)
are other places of interest.
Places of interest around Mysore
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