The Palace of Mysore, located in Karnataka, southern India, is the official residence of the Wodeyars, the Maharajas of Mysore, who ruled from 1399 to 1950. The palace features two durbar halls and an extensive array of courtyards, gardens, and buildings. It is centrally located in Mysore, facing the Chamundi Hills.
The palace is a ten-minute drive from the central railway station and the suburb bus-stand, and twenty minutes from Mysore Airport. The airport connects directly to international airports in Bangalore, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Mangalore, and Bombay. The city is also accessible via state highway SH-17.
Mysore Zoo (officially the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens) is a 157-acre (64 ha) zoo located near the palace in Mysore, India. It is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in India, and is home to a wide range of species (168). Mysore Zoo is one of the city's most popular attractions. While mainly depending on entry fees for its financing, an adoption scheme introduced in the early 2000s has been a success. Celebrities, institutions, and animal lovers have contributed directly to the welfare of the zoo inmates
Distance between Mysore Railway Station to Mysore Zoo - 7 Mins (3 Km 457 Mtrs)
The Brindavan Gardens, renowned for its symmetric design, is a world-famous terrace garden located at the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mysore. Created by Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of Mysore, it is modeled after Kashmir's Shalimar Gardens and features terraces, fountains, water channels, lawns, and illuminated musical fountains.
The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, built across the Cauvery River by Sir M. Vishveswaraya, is named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. The Cauvery River, originating in Talacauvery, Kodagu, flows eastward through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before joining the Bay of Bengal. The dam divides the Brindavan Gardens into two parts.
The gardens are located 24 km from Mysore and 143 km from Bangalore.
The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, near Mysore, is a group of small islands in the Cauvery River. Formed by a dam in the 1600s, it became a protected area in 1940 thanks to ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali. Covering just 0.67 sq. km, it hosts a diverse range of birds and some reptiles. From June to November, during the nesting season, visitors can see species like cormorants, darters, storks, egrets, herons, and kingfishers. The sanctuary also houses fruit bats, bonnet macaques, palm civets, mongoose, otters, and marsh crocodiles.
Chamundi Hills is famous not only in India but also abroad. At top of the hill the famous Sri Chamundeswari Temple. 'Chamundi' or 'Durga' is the fierce form of 'Shakti'. She is the slayer of demons, 'Chanda' and 'Munda' and also 'Mahishasura', the buffalo-headed monster.
She is the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas and the presiding deity of Mysore. For several centuries they have held the Goddess, Chamundeswari, in great reverence.
'Skanda Purana' and other ancient texts mention a sacred place called 'Trimuta Kshetra' surrounded by eight hills. Lying on the western side is the Chamundi Hills, one among the eight hills. In the earlier days, the Hill was identified as 'Mahabaladri' in honor of God Shiva who resides in the 'Mahabaleswara Temple'. This is the oldest temple on the hills.
Chamundi Hill is about 13 kms from Mysore, which is a prominent city in Karnataka State,India.
Built by the Mysore maharaja more than a century back, the Karanji Lake served as a percolation tank which was used by the locals for washing, bathing and drinking. Today, the lake is regarded as one of the biggest lakes in Karnataka, spread over an area of 90 acres. It harbors more than 90 species of resident and migratory birds, several species of butterflies and small mammals, thus providing an excellent example of a wetland ecosystem. The lake is the site for the largest walk through aviary in India, which is quite popular among visitors, especially avid birdwatchers. The birds are almost at touching distance as one takes a stroll on the walkway. Other attractions of the lake include a butterfly park (housing a large variety of plant species to attract butterflies), children's corner and boating facilities. There is a high view tower from where panoramic views of the entire landscape can be seen.
Located right behind the Mysore zoo, and close to the Regional Museum of Natural History, you can reach here via any available means of transport.
This Roman Catholic Church was built in AD 1840. It was initially known as St. Joseph Chaver which later assumed the present name. The twin towers of the church stand majestically at 175 feet, the design is gothic and it is said to resemble the St. Patrick's cathedral at New York and a church at Cologne. The then king of Mysuru Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV laid the foundation for construction of the church in 1933. It has been designed a French Architect.
The church is located about 1 km from Mysuru Palace on the Bangalore highway.
Located on Krishnaraja Sagar Road, the Railway Museum of Mysore is second only after the National Railway Museum, New Delhi. The museum is situated in front of the Central Food and Technology Institute and was set up in the year 1979.
The Railway Museum has a number of galleries which depict the development and growth of railway systems in India. These can be noticed from the locomotives, photographs and painting depicted in these galleries. One can view the lights and signals which were initially used and even the mini railway which operated on battery.
Somanathapuram Temple can be spotted near the Shivanasamudra Waterfalls. The temple is exquisitely carved in star shape and consists of triple towers. Intricate designs of Hoysala Architecture can be observed here. Images of caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen along with mythological birds and beast are arranged in rows on the outer walls of the temple. Sculpted images of gods and goddesses along with scenes from epics can be noticed here.
Located at a distance of 25 kms from Mysore.
This Art Gallery located to the west with a walking distance to that of main palace, which is famous Art Gallery. It was built during rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1861 to celebrate the marriage of his daughter, the princess of Mysuru, because the main palace was destroyed in a fire in 1897. The main door of this Museum is itself a master piece of Art with intricate carvings which is said to have been made in just 70 days. The museum was officially started in 1915, and has since been expended adding many artifacts. This Art Gallery was linden to the famous Mysuru style of painting of rare original paintings and artifacts and entrusted the Administration of this Museum to a committee. The museum was named after Sri Jayachamrajendra Wodeyar in 1955 as Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery.
This is located in the main city near city bus stop
