Mysore, located about 146 km from Bengaluru, lies near the famous Chamundi Hills. Until 1947, Mysore was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore and ruled by the Wodeyar Dynasty and later by the Deccan Sultans. The city is dotted with majestic palaces with beautiful architecture, all reminiscent of the golden, regal era. Before planning a trip to this princely town, it is essential to make proper accommodation arrangements. For that, one can find many hotels in Mysore suited to various budget needs. Today, most of the tourists prefer opting for Mysore tour packages which include a guided tour to all these places. Mentioned here are some of the major attractions to visit in Mysore.
Jagmohan Palace: The Jagmohan Palace stands tall as one of the finest specimen of Wodeyar architecture. Initially built to as a home to the royal family, Jagmohan Palace has also served as the royal court during the British reign and a venue for leading universities to hold their convocations. Presently, the palace has been turned into an art gallery with some of the finest work from leading contemporaries.
Brindavan Gardens: Touted as one of the most beautiful gardens in India, the Brindavan Gardens was built by Sir Mirza Ismail. Located about 18km from the Mysore city, this massive garden is known for its eclectic array of terrace gardens, flower formations and colourful fountains. At night, the entire garden is lit up, giving it a heavenly appearance and you can enjoy laser light shows and boat rides. Brindavan Garden is built across river Cauvery and below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, which is an equally famous tourist destination.
Lalitha Mahal: Lalitha Mahal is a sign of sheer opulence and was built by Maharaja Krishnaraj Bahadur Wadiyar IV to serve as the royal home. Surrounded by beautiful terrace gardens, Lalitha Mahal is located on a hilltop and can be viewed from various quarters of the city. Today, the mahal is turned into a five-star heritage hotel with 54 swanky rooms adorned with Turkish carpets, sandalwood furniture, Belgian mirrors and other valuable amenities. In totality, Lalitha Mahal clearly reflects the royal grandeur in style, architecture and enchantments.
Mysore Palace: One of the best places to visit in Mysore, it was designed by English Architecture Henry Irwin and built during 1897-1912, this three-storey majestic palace is a perfect example of the Indo-European style of architecture. The palace served as the office-residence to the high officials during the British Raj.
Chamundi Hills: Chamundi Hills is located about 12km from Mysore city. Atop a hill lies a famous Dravidian Temple dedicated to Sri Chamundeshwari Devi, which was built by Raja Wodeyar ll.
Martin Wynn
