Mysore – the city home to the grand Mysore Palace

July 22, 2015 eweekendbreaks 0 travel guide,

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Filled with infinite tourist attractions that belong to both the medieval era as well as modern world, Mysore is one excellent destination to spend a memorable vacation at. Visit the princely state to explore all its attractions and pick from the best hotels in Mysore.

Mysore is the erstwhile capital of the state of Karnataka. However, the city has been replaced by Bangalore as the present capital, which is about 146 k.m. north-east from Mysore. The state itself was recognized by the name Mysore till 1973, after which Karnataka was chosen as the name of the state. Ruled by the rulers of Wodeyar dynasty from 1399 till 1947, the city is one of the handful of places in India that were under the reign of one royal family for over 500 years. The city was the capital of the princely state of Mysore even in the era of British Raj and was never ruled directly by the British. The city was also taken over by the Mughals, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan for a small period of time in the late 18th century.

Today, the city has developed into a chief commercial and industrial city. The traditional industries of the city that are in practice since long are bronzework, sandalwood carving, weaving, and producing lime and salt. Information Technology is also quickly marking its presence as the city develops as an upcoming hub of IT. Plus, tourism is also one of the key industries here. At present, the city is the second largest city in the state filled with all parameters of modernization. The city has also been ranked as the second most cleanest city in India and is entitled with the sobriquet of the “cultural capital of South Karnataka”.

The name of the city is based on a famed religious legend. The city derives its name from a demon called Mahishasura from the Hindu mythology. According to beliefs the region was once the domain of the demon and it is here where he was later slain by the Goddess Chamundi. Close to the city centre, there is a place called Chamundi Hills which houses a temple of the goddess and a statue of the demon to mark the event.

Contemporary Mysore is a prime urbanized city in the state. Accessing the city is an easy affair as there are excellent rail, road, and flight connectivity, connecting the city to all major Indian cities. There are a couple of bus stops serving the city. The Mysore railway station is a major railhead in south India railway network. Plus, the nearest airport is in Bangalore that connects the city to not just major Indian cities, but also to the prime destinations across the world. The Mysore to Chennai flights and vice versa is one of the preferred modes to access the city. There are a number of flights operating daily between both the cities.

Mysore is a city that is filled with numerous tourist spots and attractions. It will easily take a week to explore and discover the attractions of the city and still the exploration would not be totally complete. Some of the most popular places to visit in the city include: Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Parks and Gardens, Brindavan Gardens, Datta Peetham, Karanji Kere, Happy Man Park, Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion, Lalit Mahal Palace, Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery, Mysore Zoo, Jagmohan Palace and Art Gallery, Folk Art Museum, Oriental Research Institute, National Museum of Natural History, and Melody World. One could hire the travel guides to best explore the city. Transportation services are provided by a number of transportation and tour companies. Besides, most of the luxury hotels in Mysore also offer tour services to their guests.

Author Bio: Sandeep is an experienced travel writer and enthusiast blogger. He has explored many known and less-known places in India in the last 10 years. His experience adds to his expert knowledge on the best hotels in Mysore, different travel routes through trains, flights, and road. He also specializes in off-beat places to eat and stay at. He also advises amateur tourists on travel tips.