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A cultural environment, grand architecture and the royal lineage of the city of palaces Mysore do attract the travelers from different corners of the world. If satiating your visual appetite by simply having a glance of Mysore Palace is not enough for you, then ready to explore a bit more in this exciting city. On one side, the ornate palaces, prominent 11th-century temples, and Gothic St. Philomenas Church packs a visual punch for its beholders and on the other side you can be a part of the celebration of Mysore heritage held during the lively Dussehra festival of 10 days.
Give way to your shopping spree. The centuries-old Devaraja Market resides in the heart of Mysore and it is known for the pure Mysore silk products. It is also filled with spices and sandalwood. Carry on unfolding the distinctiveness of the city that will definitely leave you amazed and become your next destination to visit.
A living exponent and a marvel created by man-made efforts, the Mysore Palace is one of the most renowned tourist attractions after Taj Mahal. Incorporated with the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, the palace has now been converted into a museum. For visitors, the palace remains open from 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. (morning) and 3.30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. (evening). You can be a part of the amazing light and sound program in the evening from 7 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. (Sunday closed).
Entry fee for the palace is INR 40 for adults, INR 200 for foreigners and INR 20 for students. There is free entry for children below 10 years of age. The entry fee for the light and sound program is INR 40 adults and INR 25 for the children who are above 7 and below 12 years of age.
Located 13 km east of Mysore, Chamundi Hills is at an elevation of 1,000 meters and known for Chamundeshwari temple situated atop. Goddess Chamundi Devi killed the demon-king Mahishasura here and thus it is acknowledged for its mythological and religious significance. You can admire the beauty of these hills from any part of the city. It attracts thousands of tourists every year and there is no entry fee. This place is perfect for god lovers, experience seekers, and photo fanatics.
You should pay a visit to one of the oldest and popular zoo, the Mysore Zoo. Established in 1892, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens bears the nomenclature to honor the eminent founder and the erstwhile ruler of Mysore, Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar Bahadur. The planning and management of the zoo make it a worth visit. In order to make all the animals feel close to nature, the zoo has provided a vast, open and spacious enclosure. Early hours of the morning will be the best time to enjoy the beauty of this place. It remains open for the visitors from 8 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Entry fee for adults is INR 50 and for children and senior citizens is INR 25.
The enchantment of Karanji Lake will keep you indulged in the beauty of nature as it is located at the foothills of the Chamundi Mountains. This place is a home to thousands of migrant and resident birds. You can row down the beautiful waters with the boating facilities provided for the tourists. The lake is open for tourists from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. every day except Tuesday. The entry ticket for adults is INR 10 and for children (5-15 years) is INR 5.
Apart from its religious significance, the awe-inspiring gothic form of architecture of St. Philomenas Church will keep you mesmerized. It is one of the largest churches of the continent of Asia and retains the heritage of more than 200 years. The church has been designed in the shape of a cross and features twin spires with a height of 175 feet, which is the main attraction. The visiting hours of the church are 8 A.M. To 6 P.M.
This historical building in the city of Mysore radiates unique charm and aura. Lalitha Mahal is the second largest palace in the city that is located on a small hillock at the foothills of Chamundi Hills. Known exquisitely for its architectural excellence, Lalitha Mahal is one of the chief tourist attractions that you can visit. The visiting time of the palace is from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. every day and the entry fees per person are INR 100.
You can chill out at the GRS Fantasy Park after having a break from the religious fervor. This amusement park is filled with dry rides, water rides, wave pool and much more. The entry fees for visitors getting admission before 3:30 P.M. is INR 575 for adults (with 46 height), INR 475 for children (with 3 to 46 height), infants below 3 are allowed free entry and INR 300 for senior citizens (above 65 years of age). Visitors getting admission after 3:30 P.M. has to pay entry fees of INR 425 for adults (with above 46 height), INR 325 for children (with a height between 3 to 46). The entry timings of the park are 10:30 A.M. to 6 P.M. (Monday to Saturday) and 10:30 A.M. to 7 P.M. (Sundays and national holidays).
Established by Indian Railways in 1979, the Railway Museum is a peculiar attraction for children as well as adults. After National Railway Museum, this is one of the famous and most visited rail museums. Displaying an amusing collection of photographs and items depicting diverse stages of the development of Indian Railways, the museum has something unique that will keep you amazed. It also displays a captivating exhibition of vintage locomotives for visitors like you. The entry fee is INR 15 per person for adults and INR 10 per person for children. Additional INR 10 has to be paid for toy train ride. The admission timings are 10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (Tuesday to Sunday).
One can wonder about the fact that why a Government Sandalwood Oil Factory has worth to pay a visit. If you are one of those who likes to explore something unusual then this place should be on your list. Established in 1916, the major aim of the factory was to explore the natural resources present in Mysore and produce excellent quality and pure sandalwood oil. Inside the factory, cosmetics, incense sticks, talcum powder, creams, toilet soaps and various other products are manufactured. The best part is you can buy factory-made products as souvenirs from the factory. The visiting time of the place is 9:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. and 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. throughout the week except for Sunday. The entry is free.
Do you want to shop the best and cheapest textile? Welcome to the Government Silk Factory. Watch behind the scenes of how textile is manufactured by paying a visit to the factory. It is a must stop by for shopaholics, wanderers and experience seekers. If you are a true lover of silk, then this is the golden opportunity for you to have quality silk coming straight from the loom having fine gold and zari motif. The entry timings are 8:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. (Monday to Saturday) and the outlet remains open daily from 10:30 A.M to 7 P.M. There is no entry fee.
Bandipur National Park is a well-preserved national park that used to be a private game reserve for the Maharajas of Mysore. Being one of the 15 sanctuaries belonging to the Project Tiger Scheme, Bandipur is home to around 70 tigers, over 3000 Asian elephants and various other animals. The best time for you to visit this national park will be September to March. The peak seasons are April to May and September to January. Enjoy jeep safari for 2 to 3 hours (INR 300 per head for Indian and INR 1100 per head for foreigners), minibus safari ride for 45 minutes (INR 75 per head) and elephant safari for 10 minutes (INR 50 per head). The safari timings are 6 to 9 A.M. and 4 to 6 P.M.
Widely acknowledged as a historical, religious and cultural hub of Mysore, Srirangapatna is a town that is surrounded by the river Kaveri making it a small river island. Some of the major attractions of the town that you should visit are Daria Daulat Bagh, Masjid-E-Ala or Jama Masjid, Balmuri Falls, Gumbaz, fort, a museum showcasing paintings, sketches and coins, and various other famous temples. Regarded as a major Vaishnavaite Center, this town is an ultimate resort for god lovers, nature lovers, history buffs, wanderers and photo fanatics.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, a home to some of the most beautiful birds, offers a picturesque setting that will bring you close to Mother Nature. To witness the rare beauty of this bird sanctuary, the best time to visit would be in the month of June and November. The entire sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. Inside the sanctuary, there is a small canteen located near the lake where you can satiate your hunger pangs. The entry fee for Indian is INR 50 (adults), INR 25 (children) and INR 300 (foreigners). You can enjoy boating by paying nominal charges that are same as entry fees. You have to pay extra INR 500 for a large video camera. The admission timings of the sanctuary are 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Waterfalls are one of the picturesque and serene natural beauties you can ever witness with your bare eyes. Such beauty will keep you mesmerized and provide you the joy of living in the lap of nature. Shivanasamudra Falls, the second biggest waterfall in India, is one such glorious natural wonder you can take pleasure in. This place has been an inspiration for many poets since ages. The best time to visit it is July to October. It is an amazing place for nature lovers, wanderers and experience seekers. There is no entry fee.
Situated on the left bank of the Kaveri River, this desert-like town named Talakad once had over 30 temples. Now, this sleepy little town is left with some of the major temples including the chief attraction, i.e., the five lingams (Pathaleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara, Maruleshwara, and Mallikarjuna temple) which represent the five faces of Lord Shiva. Also, it has become an epicenter of some of the most modern advances in winemaking and horticulture. You can witness the amazing Panchalinga Darshana fair here that held once in every 12 years. The best time for you to visit this place will be November to March.
Melukote or Tirunarayanapuram has gained the status of a pilgrimage for the followers of the Ramanuja. This temple town has been cocooned in between the ancient rock formations and bears religious and cultural importance from 12th century AD. You can visit the famous Melkote temple and witness the Vairamundi Brahmotsavam Festival that takes place in the months of March and April. You will definitely enjoy the folk culture and old world charm in Melukote.
KRS or Krishna Raja Sagara Dam is both a lake and dam that has been built across Kaveri River. The scenic beauty of the place is bewitching as it is near to the conjunction of three rivers namely Cauvery, Hemavathi and Lakshmana Thirtha. If you are a nature lover, then you should definitely visit this first irrigation dam of India. The area is surrounded by exceptionally beautiful sites, gardens, musical fountains and water bodies. The entry ticket for an adult is INR 15 per person and for children is INR 5 per person (5-10 years). It is open all days a week and the timings are 6:30 A.M. to 9 P.M. Moreover, you can visit this dam during and after the monsoon season (June to August).
Located just a level below the dam, Brindavan Gardens serves as the best combination of illuminated natural beauty and perfect concept of engineering. The garden features the paths and fountains following the patterns of Mughal. Other highlights of the garden are children park, fisheries station, hydraulic research station and a statue of goddess Cauvery at the foot of the dam. The entry timings of the garden are 6 A.M. to 8 P.M. (Weekdays). The major attraction of the place is the music fountain show that starts from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. (Weekdays) and 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. (Saturday and Sunday). The lighting show timing is from 7 to 8 P.M. daily. The entry fees are INR 15 for adults and INR 5 for children (5 to 10 years).
A perfect getaway place for wanderers, nature lovers, photo fanatics and adventure seekers is Nagarahole National Park. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, this place is filled with an astounding abundance of wildlife that includes sloth bear, large mammals, mouse deer, mongoose, civet, muntjac and more.
For the purpose of taking rest, there is an availability of government rest houses and dormitories situated close to the sanctuary. Try to reach the park gates before dusk as the road that leads to the lodges is prone to elephant blockage and thus it usually closes at 6 P.M. Moreover, trekking lovers should avoid monsoon season.
The park remains open all days of the week from 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. and 4 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. The entry fee is INR 50 per person for Indians and INR 150 per person for foreigners. An additional amount of INR 50 per person has to be paid for the camera.
The symmetry in the details of the architecture and amazing sculptures of Somnathpur Temple will stun you. The entire temple is made of stones and offers an example of exquisiteness. You will find beautiful small villages en route and the way leading to the temple is smooth with zero traffic. The temple is famous for its stone carvings intricately carved on its walls and pillars. The preferable time to visit the temple would be from September to February. The entrance fee for Indian citizens is INR 5 and for foreigners is INR 10. The entry for children is free. Visiting time of the temple is from 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
The captivating Dravidian architecture intermingled with intricate carvings is the major attraction of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple. Located at the top of the Chamundi hills, the temple is about 1,000 steps from the foot of the hill. The temple is known for impressive architecture, great historical significance and natures serenity. You can witness the unshakable grandeur and architectural beauty combined with piousness of firm beliefs and religious sentiments by visiting Sri Chamundeshwari Temple. There is no entry fee for the temple. Darshan and Puja Timings are 7:30 A.M. to 2 P.M., 3:30 P.M. to 6 P.M and 7:30 P.M. to 9 P.M. (Monday to Sunday). Also, free meals are organized every day for devotees from 12:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
If you want to see the real perfection of sand sculpture, then Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum should be on your list. Marked as an ideal sightseeing place, the museum displays the artistic work of intricate carvings on the sand. Around 150 sculptures in 16 different themes are displayed in the museum. The sculptures are made on unique themes such as fairy tales, religious epics, God and Goddess, etc. The entry fee for adults is INR 40 per person and for children is INR 20. The visiting time of the museum is from 8:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.
Located in the precincts of the old village of Kannambadi, Venugopala Swamy Temple is recognized for its religious significance. Moreover, the architecture of the temple is also appealing. It is surrounded by two other temples, namely Kalamma Temple and Sri Kenneshawara Swamy Temple. You will definitely enjoy the pious and serene atmosphere of the place. The entry timings of Venugopala Swamy Temple are 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM (All days of the week).
Trinesvaraswamy Temple is known for its extravagant architecture and peaceful environment. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is located within the premises of Mysore Palace. So, you will have a pleasure of combined visit to both the palace and temple. The premises of the temple are well maintained and the entrance features an impressive huge gopuram. Moreover, there is no particular darshan timing. So, you can visit the temple anytime of the day.
Somnathpur is a town located in Mysore city and famous for Chennakesava Temple that was built during the reign of Hoysala emperors. If you have a great interest in archaeology and archaeological structures, then you should visit this place once. The best time to visit it is from October to March. The information provided by the historical structures is of immense importance and this very fact makes the town a huge tourist attraction.
The impressive view of waterfalls of the Cauveri River makes Chunchanakatte Falls a perfect place for a picnic. The place is also known for Sri Rama temple that is located on the banks of river Kaveri. Along with the scenic beauty, another impressive factor is the sound of the falls that can be heard all over except inside the temple making it a must visit for you. You can be a part of the car festival that is celebrated here each year during Makara Sankranti (January 15th) and a cattle festival that is celebrated during August. There is no particular time for a visit and there is no entry fee.
Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary is an absolute heaven for those who are seeking an escape from the city grind. The sanctuary is a natural habitat for Spot-Billed Pelicans and the Painted Storks. The locals believe that these birds bring prosperity and good luck for them. And, the birds also mingle freely with the humans which make this place more beautiful for the visitors. You can visit this place from December to March.
A historic town in the Hassan District, Shravanabelagola is a significant Jain pilgrim center. As the name suggests, it is an illusion of a beautiful pond in the middle of the town. The architectural and sculptural beauty of the town is highly admired and is the prime reason behind immense tourist attraction. You will find solace by visiting this town once. The best time for you to visit the place will be between the months of October and March.
Conclusion
The land of royals holds within various draw cards that bring in a trail of travelers every year. If you are sitting there wondering where to head this season for a family getaway, pack your bags and move to Mysore, the city that boasts true essence of the rich Indian Heritage awaits your presence.
