Known for its splendid royal palaces, vibrant silk sarees, fragrant sandalwood incense and adrenaline-filled Dussehra festivities – the city of Mysore offers travelers a magical gateway to discover Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage. As you get lost in intricately carved historical sites, interact with skilled artisans preserving age-old crafts. Savour aromatic cuisine or capture the exhilaration of festivals celebrating the victory of good over evil – the ‘City of Palaces’ weaves an unforgettable spell with its manifold enchantments.
How to Reach Mysore
By Air
The nearest airport is the Mysore Airport, which serves domestic flights. However, for international travelers, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore is a better option. From Bangalore, you can take a scenic drive or hop on a comfortable train to reach Mysore.
By Rail
Mysore Junction is well-connected to major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai. For a comfortable journey, you can opt for Shatabdi Express and Chamundi Express.
By Road
Mysore is easily accessible by road. You can also hire a taxi or take a state-run bus from nearby cities.
Best Season to Travel
Mysore’s climate is pleasant throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between October and March. During this period, the weather is cool, and the city comes alive with festivities.
Weather Across the Year
- Winter (October to February): Expect pleasant days with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. It’s the ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
- Summer (March to June): Summers can be warm, with temperatures touching 35°C. However, evenings are pleasant, and you can explore the illuminated Mysore Palace.
- Monsoon (July to September): The city receives moderate rainfall, making it lush and green. Monsoons add a romantic touch to Mysore.
Costing
- Accommodation: Budget hotels start at around ₹1,000 per night, while luxury options can go up to ₹5,000 per night.
- Food: A meal at a local eatery cost approximately ₹200 to ₹400 per person.
- Entrance Fees: Mysore Palace entry fee is ₹200 for adults and ₹50 for children.
Understanding Mysore: A Traveler’s Perspective
Mysore attracts all kinds of travelers – from history enthusiasts eager to understand royal legacies behind preserved palaces to culture vultures looking to immerse in performing arts traditions kept alive through music and dance. For silk saree lovers, interacting with generations of weavers shares insights into unique production techniques.
The world-renowned Dussehra festival held here every year in autumn season culminating in a grand procession, also pulls crowds wishing to partake in the magical fervour as over a hundred bedecked elephants, lively music and revered idols take over streets in an unparalleled spectacle.
Top apprehensions voiced by tourists before trips relate to language barriers, safely navigating the unfamiliar terrain, humidity concerns in peak summer and seamlessly transferring between cities and attractions – but a bit of pre-trip research addresses most worries.
Planning Your Mysore Adventure
Mysore Palace obviously tops must-see lists with its Indo-Saracenic architecture housing treasures and antiques inside royal galleries maintained exceptionally well even today. Lesser known but equally mesmerizing – the century-old Jaganmohan Palace and art gallery displays exquisite Indian paintings and musical instruments used in bygone royal courts.
Though Kannada is the local language, English and Hindi work well for conversations in most popular tourism zones and hotels.
Booking Accommodations and Transfers
Options for comfortable stays range from luxury hotels like Radisson Blu Plaza to mid-range inns near key attractions as well budget lodges for backpackers. Auto rickshaws and Ola uber conveniently cover shorter distances while buses and cabs connect major southern cities seamlessly.
Exploring Mysore’s Spectacular Palaces
Constructed in 1912, Mysore Palace is renowned for its elevated domes, columned Durbar halls and opulent ambiance reflecting unique architectural combinations of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic elements brought together over years of development.
Guided audio tours offer glimpses into all corners as you wander through priceless artworks, glitzy chandeliers and murals inside royal galleries today maintained by the Palace Board. Don’t miss the Residential Museum in the palace complex throwing light on erstwhile royal lifestyle. Visit post-4pm to skip most crowds and capture amazing evening illumination timed to live music!
Built in 1880 with Italian Renaissance inspirations by renowned architect Henry Irwin, the Jaganmohan Palace just beside Mysore Palace grounds now serves as an art gallery exhibiting inherited collections of cavalry weaponry, intriguing local musical instruments like Veena and ancient paintings chronicling the Wodeyar dynasty reign.
Immerse in Mysore’s Silk Legacy
The development of sericulture and silk production is closely interlinked to Mysore’s history with over 70% of India’s total silk originating from the city even today.
Visits to Government Silk Weaving Factory unveil behind-the-scenes of the complex production cycle – from sorting superior Tasar silkworm cocoons to extraction processes yielding lustrous threads finally transformed into prized Mysore silk sarees through dexterous weft and weave motions programmed into computerized looms.
Combine factory tours with shopping sprees as showrooms retail these fashion staples alongside other handicrafts carved from aromatic sandalwood, brass metalware and miniature rosewood chalk carvings historically patronized by royalty. Visit stalls on Sayyaji Rao Road or Devaraja Market to brush up bargaining skills!
Dussehra Festival: Celebrating the Triumph of Good
During September-October every year, stately Mysore city reinvents herself into fairyland to celebrate the exhilarating Dussehra festival commemorating Lord Rama’s victory over evil king Ravana from the Ramayana epic as per Hindu mythology.
For over 400 years, splendid processions through flower-adorned streets accompanied by bejeweled elephants, horses and chariots, synchronized cultural troupes, eminent musicians and dazzling light sequences have been conducted by successive Mysore Maharajas tracing their royal lineage to Lord Rama himself.
Attending any of the 10-day long series of cultural programs infuses visitors with sheer spectacle and scale of celebrations marked by devotional fervour among locals. Witnessing the custom wooden Rama-Sita wedding chariot or glimpse regally caparisoned elephants marching the auspicious idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari kept hidden from public view on other days promises history coming alive!
Indulging in Delectable Mysore Cuisine
Beyond rich architectural marvels and silk treasures, Mysore delights visitors with aromatic cuisine whether flavourful biryanis or sweet delicacies like Mysore Pak milk-based dessert. One thing which you can’t miss is Daal Vada, fritters made of yellow lentils. Don’t leave without trying authentic Mysore Masala Dosa – rice and lentil crepe with fiery red chili chutney and lip-smacking sambar!
Drop in at heritage restaurant for royal ambiance alongside cuisine once relished by kings or discover hole-in-the-wall snacks like kesari bhath (saffron-flavoured rice pudding) or chilli bajji fritters dunked into tea/coffee from century-old cafes to feel the vibe brimming within locals going about their day in this magical city.
Ideal Stay Time
Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 days in Mysore to explore its rich heritage and soak in its charm. Here’s a suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill
- Morning: Begin your day at the Mysore Palace, an architectural marvel. Explore its intricate carvings, colorful frescoes, and the Durbar Hall.
- Afternoon: Drive up to Chamundi Hill to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
- Evening: Stroll through the bustling Devaraja Market, famous for its spices, silk, and sandalwood products.
Day 2: Art and Culture
- Morning: Visit the Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery, which houses a remarkable collection of paintings and artifacts.
- Afternoon: Explore the St. Philomena’s Church, an imposing Gothic-style structure.
- Evening: Attend a traditional Mysore Dasara procession during the Dussehra festival (usually in October). The grandeur of the procession is unmatched.
Tips for Memorable Mysore Trips
Brush up basic Kannada phrases. Download offline maps for limited connectivity areas. Always carry ID proofs given security protocols near sensitive premises like palaces. Opt for authorized guides when possible, for factual storytelling. Never use flash photography around sculptures and murals to prevent damage. Choose eco-friendly transports to curb emissions and plastic bottle waste.
As dusk embraces Mysore every evening against the spectacular lights of imperial amba vilas palace premises glowing like the flame of 1000 lamps, the dulcet strains of classical music emanating from unseen corners; there is enchantment awaiting around each corner for the mindful traveller tracing stories across the storied city interwoven with rich past and heritage promising a glimpse into Incredible India!