Welcome to Mysore

Mysore palace illuminated at night

ABOUT MYSORE

Located 140 Kms from the state capital Bangalore-- Mysore is the erstwhile capital of Wodeyars, the rulers of Mysore state. The Wodeyar family ruled Mysore since 14th century except for a short period of 40 years when Hyder n were the rulers. Mysore has never failed to mesmerise the tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. The charm leaves no one untouched.

Mysore traces its history into the mythological books where there is reference of Mahishasur (Mahishasura) or the buffalo-headed demon king who is believed to have lived here. Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi hills killed this demon and hence the Dussehra, the festival of the victory of good over evil, is celebrated with unprecedented grandeur. Today Mysore is one of the major cities of Karnataka. Mysore has emerged as a thriving market for exotic sandalwood & incense, the Mysore silk sarees and stone carved sculptures.

SHOPPING

Mysore is a shopper's paradise. It is surrounded by sandalwood and rosewood forests. Thus, most of the tourists coming to Mysore look for items made from sandalwood or rosewood. Though a bit expensive these, pieces make excellent gift as well as decorative items. The sandalwood oil might be a bit expensive but is an essential commodity to be bought in Mysore. Mysore silk sarees are very popular and coveted by the ladies. Here you can purchase some of the finest silk. The government silk factory offers silks straight off the loom. Apart from the sandalwood items and silk, Mysore is also famous for the stone carved statues. The government run "Kaveri Emporium" located on Sayyaji rao road provides genuine sandalwood, rosewood and wooden carvings for the tourists.

While you are in Mysore, do not forget to visit the colorful Mysore City Market. Here, you can see the city market standing with it's original grandour. The market is several decades old, however the structure, layout and other features still remain the same. Here you can get to see the vegitable market, flower market, fruit market, perfume market in a organized manner. During festival times, the market is very crowded and colorful with many types of vegitables, flowers which are up for sale.

ACCOMMODATION

Mysore offers a wide range of accommodation facilities. There is the former Palace turned hotel called the Lalitha Mahal, a hotel in the five star category. Then there is the Ramanshree Comforts, Hotel Maurya Hoysala, Dasprakash Paradise and King's Court which are among the good hotels. There are budget hotels as well.

Specialities of Mysore

Mysorepak

Having the cities name, this sweet is mouthwatering and delicious, but not for the diet concious!! This unique sweet is made from pure ghee, maida and sugar mixed in proper quantities. You can get Mysorpak in many parts of India, However, you should taste this sweet in Mysore. The taste is irresistable and tempting. For genuine mysorepak, go to "Guru Sweet Mart" on sayyaji rao road very near to palace and situated in city market building. People from city and sorrouding places flock this shop for sweets and savouries, you can see mysorepak packets with each person who visit this shop.

Mysore Silk Sarees

Sarees have been the traditional wear of Indian women. The beauty of a women increses when she is in saree. Weddings in India are incomplete without silk sarees. In India there are many kinds of sarees available depending on the place of manufacture. Kanchi sarees from Kancheepuram, Banaras sarees from Varanasi, ??? from Kolkata and Mysore silk from Mysore. All these sarees are different in the design and the type of material they use. and the way they are made. Mysore silk sarees are made of pure silk. The silk is a material produced by a type of worms which wove a cucoon around themselves using their saliva. Later this material becomes silk, the raw material for the sarees. Mysore silk sarees are manufactured by "Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation" a government run factory in Mysore. The factory is located on "Manandavadi road" which is about 5 kms from Mysore palace. There is a showroom in the factory where people/tourists can buy genuine Mysore silk sarees. Genuine silk sarees are costly and prices start from Rs. 2000 onwards and reach lakhs of rupees which have gold threads embedded with silk.

Mysore Jasmine

Also called as "Mysooru Mallige" in kannada, Jasmine is a beautiful flower which gives out a pleasant smell. These flowers are tied with thread and worn by girls and ladies on their hairs. This flower is used to decorate the gods statues in temples. You can find vendors selling jasmine on road sides near temples and market. If you visit Mysore city market, don't forget to visit the flower stalls which are colorful and smells nice all over the place.

Mysore Tonga

These horse driven carriers were once the only means of transportation for the common people when the modern means of transportation was not available. There used to be hundreds of "Tongas" running on streets of Mysore during the time of maharajas. Now you can see these Tongas carrying tourists for joy rides. Don't forget to have a memorable ride on a tonga when you visit Mysore. These tongas can be spotted around Mysore palace.

Sandalwood

This type of wood grows in the forests of south India. After the tree attains certain age, it gives out fragrance that is mesmarizing. This wood is a integral part of hindu rituals, the wood is grinded and made into a paste and is put as tilak on the forehead. Also, in temples the paste is used decorate the gods statue. Each and every hindu household has a sandalwood piece in their houses which will be used during festivals. Sandalwood is used in the making of agarbattis or insense sticks, small idols and soaps. The famous "Mysore sandal soap" is made of sandalwood oil. There are lot of sandal wood by-products available like sandalwood powder, sandalwood piece, and sandalwood oil. This wood is very costly and only available with licensed shops. Be careful while buying sandalwood items in shops, many items are made of ordinary wood and coated with sandalwood oil and are sold for high prices. These coated woods lose the smell within few days. You can buy genuine sandalwood items in government run "Kaveri Emoprium".

CLIMATE

Mysore does not have an extreme type of climate and the weather throughout the year is pleasant. The summers are warm and winters are cool. One can visit the city any time of the year but it is advisable to avoid the rainy seasons.

GETTING HERE

The nearest Airport is the Bangalore airport from where one has to take a train or a bus to reach Mysore. There are regular train services from Bangalore to Mysore. The state transport as well as the private operators have buses plying between the state capital and the former state capital. From Bangalore one can go on conducted sightseeing tours.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

Tourist Information Center - KFC building, 48 Church street, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Tel: (91) - 80 - 579517
Regional Tourist Office Old Exhibition Road, Mysore, Karnataka, India. Tel: (91) - 0821-22096
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Yatrinivas Buildings, J.L.B Road Mysore, Karnataka, India. Tel: (91) - 0821 - 26352.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

During the month of October and November, for ten days the Dussehra festival is celebrated. This is the most famous festival of Mysore. During the festival the city is at its colour best with music & dance, Sports, Literary competitions, fairs and exhibitions all over Mysore. All This culminates in the Dussehra Procession and torch light parade.

MAIN LANGUAGE

Kannada

A WORD OF CAUTION

Though Mysore is famous for sandalwood and its products, there are many fakes available in the shops so if you are purchasing any sandalwood item make sure that they are original. Same goes with the silk sarees. To avoid any confusion buy the items from any Government Emporium or any authorised shop.