Jaganmohan Palace was built in the year 1861 by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in a predominantly Hindu style to serve as an alternate palace for the royal family. This palace housed the royal family when the older Mysore Palace was burnt down by a fire. The palace has three floors and has stained glass shutters and ventilators. It has housed the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery since the year 1915. The collections exhibited here include paintings from the famed Travancore ruler, Raja Ravi Varma, the Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich and many paintings of the Mysore painting style.The Durbar Hall here was the place where the early convocations of the Mysore University were held. The hall also serves as an auditorium for staging cultural programmes.

Hirannaiah: Mysore has given to the Kannada theatre world; one of its stalwarts in the form of Senior Hirannaiah, the father of the well known dramatist and comedian, Master Hirannaiah. Hirannaiah was born in Mysore in the year 1905. He has produced some of the famous Kannada dramas like Devadasi, Sadaarame and Yechamma Nayaka. His drama Sadaarame is said to have run at full house in the Town Hall at Mysore for a continuous 48 days. Also his drama Devadasi set a record run of being played for a continuous five months. He was also the founder member of the drama troupe called Mithra Mandali. For his contribution to the field of drama, he received the title of Cultural Comedian from the Mysore king. He breathed his last on 21 March, 1953. One of his famous quotes says, Drama is the best type of art and the worst type of profession.[23]
B. V. Karanth: B. V. Karanth is an alumnus of the National School of Drama who also later became its director. He has directed many Kannada plays and movies. His movie Chomana Dudi (Choma's drum) has won the National Award for the Best Film. His contribution has been recognised by the Government of India who awarded him the Padma Shri award. His association with Mysore was from the year 1989-1995 when he was the director of Rangayana, the famous theatre institution at Mysore.

The largest family entertainment center in South India and the first such center of Mysore is the Planet X. It is cuddled at the foot of the beautiful Chamundi Hills and is 5 km away from the Mysore Zoo. It is set over an area of 6 acres. This center has bowling alleys and carting facility. Snooker, billiards with a mini golf course also forms a part of the entertainment center. It also has video games. Besides this, a coffee shop is also located in the center. The entertainment center is open from 4 pm to 11 pm from Monday through Saturday and from 12 pm to 11 pm on Sundays.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, is a hill (betta in Kannada) located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka,at a height of 1454 m India and is extensively wooded. It is also the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. It lies in the core area of the Bandipur National Park and is frequented by wild life including elephants. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year and thus gets the prefix Himavad(in the native language of Kannada) and the temple of Venugopalaswamy (Lord Krishna) gives the full name of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
Its geographic coordinates are: Latitude 12.97°Ne and longitude 77.56°E

Temple

This temple was built by the King Chola Ballala during AD 1315. Later the Wodeyars of Mysore who were ardent devotees of Lord Venugopala displayed keen interest in maintaining the hill temple. The temple is dedicated to Gopalaswamy, which is one of the names of the Hindu God Krishna. The gopuram of the temple is single-tiered and rests on the compound wall of the enclosure. A dhwajastambha (flag-pillar) and a bali-peetam (sacrificial altar) is present in the mukha mantapa (inner-porch). The parapet wall of the façade of the mukha mantapa contains the sculpture of dashavatara (the avatars of the Hindu God Vishnu) with the centre portion of the sculpture depicting Krishnavatara (the avatar of Vishnu in which he appeared as Krishna). There is a shikhara tower over the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum).
The garbha griha contains an idol of Krishna holding a flute under a tree. Krishna is flanked by his friends and the posture is that of a dance with the left big toe resting on the right one. The panel also features several characters and icons from Krishna's avatar.
Lord Gopalaswamy's idol is flanked by his consorts, Rukmini and Satyabhama. Cows and cowherds are featured towards the right side of the panel.
Legend says that sage Agastya, performed intense penance and as a result lord Vishnu blessed this place and promised to reside here. As this was a place of worship and penance, it used to be called as 'Hamsatheertha', which means the lake of swans in Sanskrit. Swan acquires a mythological significance in Hinduism, symbolizing knowledge, tranquility and salvation.
Being a part of the Bandipur wildlife sanctuary, the hills are frequented by grazing wild elephants. The place is also known for its picturesque views of the surrounding hills, valleys and visitors may also see the spectacular sunrise and sunset from the top

Biligiri Rangana Betta (literally meaning - Ranganatha's Whiterock Hill in Kannada) is a lofty hillock situated at a distance of 28 km from Yelandur and 90 km from Mysore. The forest around is named Biligiri Rangaswamy Wildlife Sanctuary after this place. One can have a breath taking view of the forest around from the platform behind the temple atop the hill.
There is the famous temple of Ranganatha atop this hill. A copper plate record dated 1667 and belonging to Mudduraju, son of Trimalarajanayaka of Hadinadu sheds light on the history of the temple. Here these hills are mentioned as that of Thiru Venkatanatha of Bilikal (White Rock). In Sanskrit, this hill was called Shwetadri meaning white hill. This is because the hill's weathered granite cliff face appear white in colour. The Venkatanatha temple became known as Ranganatha temple after Tipu Sultan visited this temple while on a hunting expedition and described it as a temple of Lord Ranganatha. Hence, the name Biligiri Rangana Betta.
The highest point of the hill is 5091 feet above sea level. At the foot of the hill on Chamarajanagar road, there is a brindavana (small lake) known as Kanakadasa's cave. It is believed that the celebrated spiritual guru Haridasa Kanaka lived here singing praises of the lord for some time.
There is a mysterious tradition and legend about this temple. Anyone visiting the temple can see a huge pair of sandals. Legend has it that these sandals are used by the presiding deity Lord Ranganatha to roam around these forests. Mysteriously, these sandals wear out and are replaced regularly with new ones by the villagers.
The original inhabitants of these forest areas are a tribal community called Soligas (bamboo people). Even now, these people live in settlements around these forests.

Mysore is a historical landmark showcased in ancient Hindu mythology. It has achieved significant cultural growth throughout the years.Mysore is one of the prime states in India, along with Mysore district and Mysore division headquarters. To the southwest region lies Bangalore, approximately 146 kilometers away.Mysore derived its name from an anglicized version of Mahishuru. It means the abode of Mahisha. Mysore stands for "Mahishasura," a demon coming from Hindu Mythology. Aside from this, Mysore is famous for its festivals and celebrations held during the festival of Dasara. During the festival, the city is visited by many tourists coming from other countries. Apart from this, Mysore is very popular for its "Yoga-related Health Tourism."The History of MysoreMysore has a vast and interesting history. It used to be monarchial, called the Kingdom of Mysore. But in 1947, it was overruled by the Wodeyar Dynasty. The Wodeyars are considered to be patrons of culture and art which had a significant contribution to the city's cultural growth. It also led Mysore to earning the title Cultural Capital of Karnataka.In reference to the Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahishasura ruled the area around Mysore. The demon was indicated as being killed by Chamundeshwari, a goddess who reigns a temple on top of the Chamundi Hills.In December of 2005, Karnataka's government decided to announce its intention to change the English name of their city to Mysuru. India's government already approved it but the formality of incorporating it is yet to be completed.GeographyMysore is located at 12.3 and 76.65 of the globe. It has an altitude of 770 meters. It can be found in Karnataka's southern region. It is found at the foot of the Chamundi Hills and spreads to an area of 128.42 square kilometers or 50 square miles.March to June is summertime in Mysore. It is then followed by a monsoon from July to November. December to February is winter season. Rainfall averages about 792.02 millimeters. Even though Mysore is located near a safe seismic zone, there are still records of earthquakes within a magnitude higher than 4.5 on the Richter scale.Natural LandscapesMysore also has beautiful lakes flowing through it. This would include the Lingambudhi, Karanji and Kukkarahalli Lake. Famous religious places in the region include St. Philomena's Church and Chamundi Hills. The church was built in honor of St. Pilomena. Its construction was inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, and bears a neo-gothic design.Chamundi Hills is famous throughout the world because of the panoramic view of the city on top. Tourists want to reach the top to see this breathtaking view.Tourist attractions include the Mysore Zoo, Kukkarahalli and Karanji Lakes as well as the Railway Museum, Regional Museum of Natural History, Oriental Research Institute and the Folklore Museum.Another must see destination in Mysore is along the Krishnarajasagar Dam which is connected to the Brindavan Gardens. Here, you can witness an amazing musical fountain display every evening.DemographicsAccording to the 2001 Census, the City of Mysore has a population that totals up to 799,228 people. 406,363 of which are males and the rest 392,865 are females. With this number, Mysore is regarded as Karnataka's second largest city.The gender ratio is 967 females for every 1000 males. The population density is about 6,223.55 persons per square kilometer. In this entire population, 76.76 percent are Hindus; 19 percent are Muslims and 2.84 four percent are Christians.

The Lalitha Mahal Palace is situated 11kms from Mysore city on top of a small hillock. This Palace is set in the middle of sprawling terraced gardens. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV commissioned this two-storied Palace in 1921. This Palace was built to exclusively to accommodate the Viceroy of India. E.W. Fritchley from Mumbai designed the Palace in the Renaissance style and included designs concepts from the Italian palazzo and English manor. This Palace meant for special royal guests has now been converted into a heritage category five-star hotel of India Tourism Development Corporation of the Government of India. The Palace has been maintained very carefully to keeps its grandeur intact. The central hall is decorated with life size portraits of the royalty of Mysore, lithographs portraying Tippu Sultan's battles with the British. The walls and ceilings have beautiful motifs, the wooden shutters are intricately carved, and the wall panels are beautifully decorated too. Most of the old Palace furniture is being used in the hotel to this day, like four-poster beds, carved wooden cupboards, deep velvet covered armchairs and gilt framed Belgian mirrors. The viceroy room, banquet hall, dancing floor and an Italian marble staircase have been carefully maintained. The sprawling gardens have been reduced in size, as they are difficult to maintain. The hotel has maintained the Palace well and its splendour is intact to this day.

Gumbaz :This is the mausoleum of Tippu Sultan; his father Hyder Ali and mother Fathima Begum. Tippu in built the magnificent structure in 1782-84. The Gumbaz is surrounded by the beautiful garden the Lalbagh. The Gumbaz is built on a high and wide platform with an open verandah that has polished pillars all over. The Gumbaz has a large well-shaped dome, it has beautifully carved ebony doors inlaid with ivory, the Gumbaz has carved stone windows with excellent work on it and inscriptions. Inside the tomb Hyader Ali has been laid to rest in the middle and on either side are the tombs of his wife and son. Tippu's tiger stripes cover the walls of the Gumbaz. Next to the Gubaz is a mosque Masjid-e-aksa. One can reach this site by bus or take an auto from Srirangapatna.Sangam : The Sangam is the place where the River Loakpavani joins the River Cauvery. This is a popular picnic spot and is a beautiful place. From here the river follows into the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. From Srirangapatna you can take an auto to this spot. Colonel Bailey dungeon :These dungeons are called this because Colonel Bailey died in these dungeons in 1780AD. Captain Baird, Captain Rulay, Colonel Brithwite, Samson, Frazer and Lindsay were also imprisoned in these dungeons. During the siege of Srirangapatna, one cannon rolled back, pierced the ceiling and fell into the dungeon. And to this day it is lying there. Fort :It is from the Fort that Tippu launched his attack against the British. There is an obelisk in the fort in the place where he died, after being betrayed by his own men. Inside the fort there is a mosque and the Ranganathaswamy Temple and outside the fort is the tomb of Tippu, the Gumbaz. Ranganathaswamy Temple:The Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangapatna enshrines Lord Vishnu as Ranganatha. It is said that the Ganag ruler Tirumalaiya built this temple in the 9th century. Srirangapatna was the capital of Tipu Sultan and it is said that both Tippu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali made generous endowments to the Ranganathaswamy temple. This enormous temple has fort like walls and an intricately carved gopuram. The architecture is a mixture of the Hoysala and Vijayanagar styles. Lord Ranganatha is shown reclining on the bed laid out by the serpent Aadi Sesha. Within the complex there are temples of Gowtama muni and the River Cauvery. There is a shrine dedicated to Ranganayaki Thaayaar in the northwest corner of the temple. There is a temple dedicated to Krishna as well. The Alwars and the Acharyas of the Sri Vaishnava faith are also immortalized here. There are two images of Srinivasa and Panchamukha Anjaneya. It is claimed that Vyasaraya installed them in this temple. The Chaturvimsati pillars before the inner entrance has the cravings of the 24 forms of Vishnu.

One of the places that you can visit while you are staying in Mysore is Srirangapatna. For a short while the city of Srirangapatna was the capital of the Mysore state, while Tippu Sultan was ruling Mysore. After the death of Tippu Sultan in 1799 the British shifted the capital back to Mysore and placed the child King Krishnaraja Wodeyar III on the throne of Mysore. Hence there are a number of places of historical importance associated with the reign of Tippu Sultan.Srirangapatna is an island in the river Kaveri, about 14kms from Mysore. In Srirangapatna is the Dariya Daulat Palace (Summer Palace) that is set amidst beautiful gardens called Daria Daulat Bagh. Tippu Sultan popularly known as the "Tiger of Mysore", built this palace in 1784 and ruled Mysore from here for a short time after his father Hyder Ali wrested power from the Wodeyars in the middle of the 18th century. The palace is built in the Indo-Sarcenic style in mostly made of teakwood. The palace has a rectangular plan and is built on a raised platform. There are open corridors along the four sides of the platform with wooden pillars at the edges of the Plinth. The western and eastern wings have walls the other two wings have recessed bays with pillars supporting the roof. The four staircases are inconspicuous, built in the four partition walls that divide the audience hall into four rooms at four corners with a central hall connecting the eastern and western corridors. The most stunning feature of the palace is that all the space available on the walls, pillars, canopies and arches have colorful frescoes. The outer walls of the palace have frescoes of the battle scenes and portraits. The inner walls are decorated with scrolls of thin foliage and floral patterns. The wooden ceilings of the palace are pasted with canvas painted with floral patterns.On the western wall are painting that depict the celebrated victory achieved by Haider Ali and Tippu Sultan over the English lead by Col. Bailee in the battle of Pollilur near Kanchipuram in 1780. The panels on the left wing depict the armies led by Haider Ali and Tippu Sultan going to battle and on the right wing Col. Bailee is shown seated in a palanquin troubled, with the English army surrounding him, besieged by the army of Tippu Sultan. There is a painting at the extreme top right, of French soldiers led by Lally, who are looking through a telescope. The top panels shows the Nizam of Hyderabad and his army of horsemen and elephants arriving a little too late to help his allies, the English. The eastern wall has paintings in five rows representing the scenes of Darbars of different contemporaries of Tippu Sultan including the Hindu Rani of Chitor, the Raja of Tanjore, the Raja Benares, Balaji Rao II Peshwa, Magadi Kepegowda and Madakari Nayaka of Chitradurga and Krishnaraja Wodeyar II.On the top floor of the Daria Daulat Palace is the Tippu Sultan Museum. It has a collection of Tippu memorabilia, European paintings and Persian manuscripts. The museum has the famous painting "Storming of Srirangapattanam" an oil painting by Sir Robert Ker Porter made in 1800. This historical painting depicts the final fall of Srirangapatana on 4th May 1799. Tippu's men are seen giving stiff resistance to the British army and many British officers are clearly visible in the painting. In background behind the fort walls are seen parts of the Palace and the minarets of the mosque. Close by is Tippu's fort that lies in ruins now. It is in this fort that Tippu died fighting the British. In the fort are the Jama Masjid and the Ranganathaswamy Temple. Tippu's Palace the Lal Mahal lies in ruins nearby. Outside the fort is the Gumbaz that contains Tippu's tomb, his father Haider Ali's tomb and his mother's tomb.

Another popular excursion from Mysore city is Nanjangud. Nanjangud is 25kms from Mysore. It is a holy place because of the Nanjundeswara or Srikanteswara temple. It is called Garalapuri because of this famous temple. This place is an important pilgrim center and is named after its famous temple the Nanjundeshwara temple. The temple is built in the Dravidian style and is the only one of its kind in Karnataka. It is said that the sage Gauthama stayed in Nanjangud for sometime and installed a Linga in this place. Nanjangud is also known as 'Dakshina Kashi' or the Varanasi of the South.Nanjangud is situated on the right bank of the river Kapila also known as Kabini. This river is a tributary of the River Cauvery. Close to the town of Nanjangud is the confluence or Sangam of the rivers Kapila and Gundlu. This confluence is called "Parahurama Kshetra". It is said that it is here that Parashurama had repented for the sin of beheading his mother. There is a Parashurama temple built in the Mysore style, the sanctum has an idol of Lord Parashurama and he is worshipped here. This place has temples dedicated to Anjaneya and Basaveshwara too. Nanjangud is also an important industrial hub of Myosre district. Many big Indian and multinational companies have their units in Nanjangud.

There are a number of interesting tourist destinations in and around the Indian city of Mysore and the Karanji Lake is definitely one of them. The Karanji Lake is located at the foot hills of the Chamundi mountains which is just behind the Mysore Zoo. The Karanji Lake is very near to the center of the Mysore city and therefore visited by tourists and locals alike. The Karanji Lake is of an approximate size of 90 acres which is a home to thousands of birds, while some of them are permanent residents of the lake there are others to migrate to the Karanji Lake from far off lands. The Karanji Lake offers boating facilities and its a pleasure to row down the beautiful waters surrounded by the marvels of nature. Except on Tues days, the Karanji Lake is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. The visitors planning to take a boat ride in the lake should preferably wear a live saving jacket.The Karanji Lake is the home to the first ever and the largest walk through aviary and is also a butterfly park. The Regional Museum of Natural History is located on the banks of the Karanji Lake. Set amidst a natural scenario with the Chamundi hills in the backdrop, the Museum is set in a perfect location which allows an unique chance to explore nature and its intricacies. The maintenance of the Karanji Lake is the responsibility of the Mysore zoo authorities who look after the overall security and cleanliness of the place.

The St. Philomena's Church in Mysore is one of the oldest churches in India. It is over 200 years old. Initially over 250 years ago there was a small church in its place. When the capital of Mysore state was move from Srirangapatnam to Mysore city in 1799, many British officers and soldiers came and settled down in Mysore. The Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III realized the need for a Christian church for these people. So the Maharaja gave them a small plot of land on the Mysore-Bangalore Road and a little church came up there. As the city expanded and the Christian population of the city increased there was a need for a larger church. So plans for made to build a larger church and thus came into existence the famous St. Philomena Church of Mysore. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV laid the foundation of the new church on October 28th, 1933 that was to be built in the place of the small church built by his grandfather. A Frenchman named Daly designed the church. The floor plan of the cathedral is in the form of a cross. The long part of the cross is the 'nave', which is the congregation hall. The two arms of the cross are the 'transepts'. The fourth part containing the altar and the choir is the 'crossing'. The Holy Mass is performed daily in Kannada, Tamil and English at the table in the sanctum sanctorum. Behind this is an exquisite marble altar on which the statue of St. Philomena is placed. There is also an idol of Christ lying in his sacred wounds. Above the sanctum there are lovely stained glass windows from France with painting depicting the birth of Jesus Christ, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The part of the church that is most attractive is the towers or spires. These towers resemble that of a cathedral in Cologne in Germany and those of St. Patrick's Church in New York. The two spires are 175 feet tall. The entire church is built in the Gothic style is one of the largest Cathedrals in South Asia. The Church has the relic of the 3rd century St. Philomena that is in a beautiful catacomb that is below the main altar. The construction of the church was completed under Bishop Rene Fuga's supervision. At that time Thamboo Chetty, was the Huzur Secretary to the Maharaja of Mysore, heard about the greatness of St. Philomena and obtained a relic of the saint from Peter Pisani, Apostolic Delegate of the East Indies in 1926. After obtaining the relic it was handed over to Fr. Cochet. The next year a new state of St. Philomena was brought from France. The story of St. Philomena dates back to the 3rd century A.D. Philomena was the daughter of the monarch of a small state in Greece. Her parents were childless. They prayed to God and asked Him to bless them with a child and promised to convert to Christianity if their wish was granted. The next year Philomena was born to them. Even in her childhood Philomena showed signs of piety. When Philomena was 13 years' old her father took her to Rome to obtain the favour of Emperor Diocletion. The Emperor was enthralled by her beauty and wanted to marry her. But she refused and vowed to give herself to God. As she refused to marry the Emperor she was tortured and beheaded in Rome. But people's devotion for her spread near and far and she was given sainthood. There are a number of churches dedicated to her all over the world. Today the church stands as a monument to the secular outlook of the Mysore rulers. It is no longer just a religious place but has become a major tourist attraction in Mysore. There is an orphanage on the premises of the church that is run by the church. The church is located at a distance of 3kms from the city bus stand and 2km from the Palace. The church is open from 8am to 6pm. Holy Mass is held in the morning and evening. Special masses are held on Sundays and on festivals. An Annual Feast is held on August 11th each year.

If you are a resident of Karnataka, then you will know that there are some things that are synonymous with the city of Mysore. Mysore Silks, Mysore Jasmine (Mysore Mallige), Mysore Sandalwood (Mysore Srigandha) and Mysore Eggplant (Mysore Badane) are the things that the city is famous for. For centuries now the city of Mysore has been famous for these things and this tradition continues to this day. The craftsmen of Mysore are equally famous. The city has some of the most beautiful and intricately carved temples in Karnataka. This tradition exists to this day, though the craftsmen use sandalwood and rosewood to carve on and make exquisite artifacts.Mysore is known all over the world for its silks. The women in India and especially in South India have used silk sarees for a very long time. Silk sarees are worn especially on religious and auspicious occasions. The cost of a silk saree depends on the amount of 'zari' or gold it contains. Most sarees have gold lace on both edges of the saree and on it's pallu-the part of the saree that is wrapped over the shoulder. There are private weavers in Mysore and there is the Government Silk Weaving Factory that produces beautiful silk sarees, silk fabric and ties. This factory has its showroom on Manandavadi Road and also in the shopping area around KR Circle in Mysore. There are numerous Private showrooms that sell Mysore silks. Mysore crepe silk sarees are the most sought after ones.Mysore is famous for its handicrafts as well. Most of the work is wood based. The artifacts are made out of sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood. In the olden days Mysore was known for its ivory handicrafts and inlay work. With the ban on ivory this craft has disappeared. Mysore is best known for its sandalwood artifacts and sandalwood products. Craftsmen produce figures of Gods, Goddesses, jewel boxes, small gift items etc. Sandalwood powder and sandalwood oil is also available. Inlay work on rosewood is also popular. Things like teapoys, coffee tables and other items of furniture are made. The best place to buy these things is the Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium of the Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation.Besides these items Mysore is also famous for Agarbathies or incense sticks. A large variety of incense sticks are manufactured by small and large manufactures. It is manufactured here using locally available perfumes like sandalwood and jasmine and the exported for Mysore and Bangalore to the rest of the world. Mysore is famous for its stone carvings and paintings as well. Oil based and water based paintings are famous. A branch of the traditional Mysore painting known as Ganjifa paintings that flourished under the patronage of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III has been revived. These paintings are of Hindu gods and goddesses. The best place to get all these items is the Government Handicrafts emporium in Mysore.

The word Mysore is a corrupted version of "mysooru", which is derived from the word "mahishur" or "Mahishasurana Ooru", which means the town of Mahishasura in Kannada, the local language. Mysore has been associated with the Puranic story found in the Devi Bhagavatha. According to the story in the Devi Purana, Mysroe was ruled by the demon Kind Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a buffalo-headed monster. In response to the prayer by the Gods and Goddesses to save them from the demon, Goddess Parvathi, took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster on top of the Chamundi hill near Mysore. Hence the hill and the city have the names Chamundi Hill and Mysore respectively. It is said that after killing the monster the Goddess stayed on top of the hill, where she is worshipped with great devotion to this day. The famous 10 daylong Dasara of Mysore is in honour of the Goddess Chamundeshwari and is a celebration of this victory of good over evil. Before the rise of the Gangas in the 10th century there is little historical evidence relating to Mysore. The Gangas established their supremacy in the 2nd century and they ruled over a large part of Mysore till about 1004 AD. In the 3rd century they established their capital at Talakad on the banks of the river Cauvery. There is an inscription on Chamundi Hills that was done in 950AD during the reign of the Gangas. This inscription is the oldest inscription found in Mysore. The Cholas ruled Mysore for over a century after the Gangas. The Chalukyas followed the Cholas. The Hoysalas drove the Cholas from the remaining part of Mysore region in the 12th century. Hoysala are known for the beautiful temples they built during their reign. It is said that they built or expanded the existing temples in Mysore and on the Chamundi Hills. There is an inscription in Mysore by the Hoysalas that dates back to the 11th and 12th century.After the Hoysalas came the Vijayanagar Kings and then the Mysore Yadu dynasty came to power in 1399A.D. They were the feudatories of the Vijayanagar Kings. This dynasty also contributed to temple building in Mysore. Bettada Chamaraja Wodeyar, the raja of Mysore rebuilt the fort of Mysore and made his headquarters and called the city 'Mahishura Nagara' meaning the city of Mahishur. Many inscriptions done in the 17th century and later refer to Mysore as 'Mahishuru'. Raja Wodeyar moved the capital from Mysore to Srirangapatna. After the death of Tippu Sultan in 1799, Mysore became the capital of the Wodeyars once again. During the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III the town of Mysore expanded and moved beyond the walls of the fort. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV developed Mysore into a beautiful city with excellent planning. Under his reign Mysore became famous for its wide roads, magnificent building and elegant parks. Today Mysore is a modern city that has managed to retain its quaint old world charm. Today Mysore in famous in the world for its sandalwood and rosewood artifacts, stone sculptures, incense sticks, inlay work with ivory and its exquisite silk sarees.

The Chamundi Hills on the outskirts of Mysore city is another famous landmark of the city. A visitor can see these hills from a distance of about 8 to 10kms while driving to this city of Palaces from any direction. The Chamundi Hills is about 3km from the city. It is at a height of 1065 meters above sea leave and about 800 feet above Mysore city. On the top of the hill is the Chamundeshwari temple that dates back to the 11th century. Goddess Chamundeshwari is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi who took this form to destroy the demon king Mahishasura. The city of Mysore is said to have derived its name from the demon king Mahishasura. And Goddess Chamundi is the presiding deity of the city and the Maharajas of Mysore. It is said that Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar who ruled Mysore from1659 to 1673, built the 1000 steps leading to the temple that are carved out of granite rock. He built it so that climbing the hill would be easy for the pilgrims. It is also claimed that he constructed 63 houses at the foot of the Chamundi hills and called it Devarajapura and donated it to the Brahmins caretakers of the temple. There is a separate set of equestrian steps craved out on the hill as the Kings use horses to go to the temple. King Krishnaraja Wodeyar III added the magnificent gopuram (pyramidal temple tower) of the temple in 1825-1826. Close to the temple there is a gigantic statue of Mahishasura made of mortar and painted with bright colors. On top of the hill besides the temples there is a small palace that belongs to the Kings of Mysore called Lalithadri. Half way up the hills is a huge monolith statue of Nandi, the bull and vehicle of Lord Shiva. The statue is 4.8 meters high. There is a temple tank called the Devikola that is used during festivals. It has a good motorable road and KSRTC (State transport) have buses that regularly ply from Mysore to the top of the hill. Taxies are available as well. Auspicious days to visit the temple are Tuesdays, Fridays and the 10 days of Dussehra. Temples is open from 7.30am to 2pm and from 3.30pm to 6pm. The tower of the temple is illuminated on festivals and on public holidays.

Mysore has been a city where all religions have co-existed in harmony for many centuries. Even when Mysore was culturally at its zenith under the Vijayanagar Empire and the Wodeyars the rulers always encouraged all religions and cultures without any discrimination. The continuous patronage and support of the Kings in every field led to the evolution of a distinct style known as the "Mysore Style" in the all the fields like painting, architecture, music, poetry etc. Over a period of time as this culture spread far and wide it was prefixed with the word "Mysore" to identify the unique cultural heritage. To this day in Karnataka the best quality jasmine flowers are referred to as Mysooru Maligae (Mysore Jasmine). Over the years Mysore has become a cosmopolitan city with people from different walks of life living together peacefully. In Mysore people practicing different faiths live harmoniously. This has helped the city develop. The people of Mysore take part in each other's festivals and celebrations. The Kings of Mysore have laid a strong foundation for communal harmony by making generous contributions towards religious centers of all religions. This tradition is still followed in Mysore. The Hindu community is the largest religious community in the city. Muslims form another prominent community in the city and there is a sizeable population of Jains as well. One finds people from different parts of the country, speaking different languages, celebrating different festivals all co-existing peacefully. Though Mysore has become a modern city it has not lost touch with its tradition and culture. The ultimate expression of cultural unity is witnessed during the 10 daylong Dasara festivities that is synonymous with Mysore. The celebration not only includes religious ceremonies but also the decoration of houses, display of dolls, distribution of sweets to neighbours and children. The residents of Mysore have celebrated Dasara in this manner for decades. The high point of the celebration in the olden days was the "Jamboo Savari" or the procession of the Maharaja on elephant back through the streets of Mysore. It is said that Dasara was celebrated in this manner from the times of the epics and was continued by all the Kings of Mysore. Even today Dasara is celebrated with the same pomp and splendor with some minor changes. Now the Royal Elephant carries the golden idol of Goddess Chamundhi in the splendid procession through the streets of Mysore. Though Mysore has become a modern city and has all the comforts of modern development, this city has managed to retain all its old world charm.

Talakad is situated on the banks of the river Cauvery, near Mysore and is known for its sand dunes. There are a number of temples on the banks of the Cauvery in Talakad that are buried under the sand dunes and are excavated once in 12 years for special worship. Talakad was the capital of the Gangas when they ruled over Karnataka. Then it was ruled by the Cholas of Tamil Nadu from the 11th to the 12th century. Then Talakad came under the Hoysalas in the 12th century after this the Vijayanagar Kings and the Maharajas of Mysore patronized this place. Talakad town has the magnificent temple of Shiva known as Vaidyeshwara. The temple is built of granite in the Dravidian style. It is claimed that most the temple structure was built under the Vijayanagar Kings. Though the Hoysalas added several features to it. The eastern door of the Navaranga is intricately carved and enormous dwarapalakas decorate the entrance. Panchalinga darshana is a rare pilgrimage that is celebrated every few years. The Vaidyeshwara temple, Arkeshwara temple, Vasukishwara or Pataleshwara temple Saikateshwara or Maraleshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temple constitute the Panchalingam. The Pataleshwara Shivalinga is said to change colors according to the time of the day-red in the morning, black in afternoon and white in the evening.

Over the years Mysore has become synonymous with the Dasara (or Dussehra) festival. Dasara is the most extravagant festival of Mysore. This festival has been celebrated in Mysore with great pomp and show since centuries. This tradition is still carried on though the scale of the celebrations has been watered down. The Dasara festival is celebrated in the months of September and October each year. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates and commemorates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari after slaying the demon Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The Dasara festivities have become an integral part of the culture and life in Mysore. During the 10 day festivities the normally clam, slow, peaceful city erupts into life and every street and street corner is bustling with activity. House, shops and important buildings in the city are decorated and illuminated for the period of the celebrations. Today Dasara in Mysore has become the state festival of Karnataka. As part of the celebrations renowned musicians of Karnataka and from outside perform in front of the illuminated Palace. The Palace is open to the public and the royal throne is displayed. The State Government arranges music, dance, and folk dance performances, doll shows. Wrestling and sports competitions are held. A two-month long Dasara Exhibition is held at the Doddakere Maidan, in which several business and industrial houses take part. Apart from this a Food and Film festival is also organized. During the festivities special religious ceremonies are held at different temples in Mysore especially the Chamundeshwari Temple on top of the Chamundi Hills. The high point of the Dasra celebrations is the Vijayadashami procession held on the tenth day. The finale of the celebrations is the state organized procession consisting of floats, the police and their bands, mounted guards in royal livery and folk artists and musicians. Some traditional items of the royal family form part of the procession. The main attraction of the procession is the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari kept in the golden howdah on top of a decorated elephant. The procession begins at the Mysore Palace and ends at the Banni Mantapa grounds, traveling a distance of about 2.5 miles. The procession is followed by a torch light procession in the evening and a stunning display of fireworks.

Another important pilgrim center that is close to Mysore is Melkote or Tirunarayanapuram. Melkote is about 60kms from Mysore city and is located in a hilly region that comprises some of the oldest rock formations on earth. Cradled in the middle of these hills is the temple town of Melkote. This town gained religious importance in the 12th century AD when the famous South Indian Vaishnava philosopher and teacher, Sri Ramanuja lived in Melkote for around 12 years.Life in Melkote is centered around the Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple in the town and the Yoganarasimhaswamy temple on the hill overlooking the town of Melkote. It is these temples that have made the town a popular tourist attraction. These temples have helped to preserve the tradition of the town and at the same time is a repository of all the knowledge of culture. The temple premises houses the oldest Sanskrit Pathsahala in India that dates back to 1853. The School continues to provide instruction in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy. As a result of this rich cultural and traditional heritage it has been found that Melkote has managed to retain its traditional nature over the centuries. Studies have shown that there has been very little change in the town of Melkote. The changes have been minor whether in the town plan, type of houses or cultural practices. So visiting Melkote is like visiting our cultural heritage in its living form.The festivals held at the temple involve the entire town. Some of the important festivals held in the temple are the Vairamudi Utsava, Teppostsava and the birthday or Tirunakshtram celebrations of important saints. What is unique about Melkote is that some folk festivals like the Angamani festival have been integrated into the temple rituals thus making all celebration meaningful to the common people.

One of the most visited places in Mysore by locals and by tourists is the famous Brindavan Gardens. Located about 19kms from the heart of Mysore these beautiful gardens are laid out below the Krishnaraja Sagar dam built across the river Cauvery. These gardens are famous for the illuminated dancing fountains that come to life after sunset. The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (KRS) (known as Kannambadi to the locals) itself is a superb example of excellent engineering and itself is a tourist attraction in Mysore. Sir M. Vishveswariah, one of India's finest engineers, built it in 1924. He used 'surkhi' a mixture of limestone and brick powder instead of cement. The dam was among the first in the world to have automatic sluice gates. The dam is named after the then Maharaja of Mysore Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar who financed the dam. The dam is 3 kms long and is located at the confluence of the rivers -Cauvery, Hemavati and Lakshmanathritha. The lake that is formed by the dam is one of the largest in India. The dam is a multipurpose project conceived by Sir M. Vishveswariah for supplying water to the agricultural lands of Mandya and Mysore districts and for ensuring power supply to the Shivanasamudra project. Sir M. Vishveswariah is often called the architect of modern Mysore and "the father of planning in India". The gardens were designed by Sir Mirza Ismail another important and progressive Diwan of Mysore. Spread over an area of 150 acres, the Brindavan Gardens is considered one of the best gardens in India. The garden not only been meticulously laid out and has beautiful lawns and shrubs, but has thousands of fountains in different shapes and sizes that are lit with colorful lamps and are set to pleasant music. The best time to visit the gardens is after sunset when all the bright colourful fountains come alive and seem to dance with joy to the accompanying music. This is a sight worth beholding as the entire garden is transformed into a fairyland. The Brindavan gardens remain illuminated from 7.00pm to 7.55pm from Monday to Wednesday and from 7.00pm to 8.55pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

On the way to K.R.S (Krishna Raja Sagar) Dam from Mysore, at about 3 kms away from the main road, there are two beautiful small waterfalls called Balmuri Falls and the Edmuri Falls. This is a hot-spot for students and nature lovers and weekend getaway hunters from Mysore and Bangalore.
Balmuri falls is the famous of the two and many Indian movies have used this location to shoot song and dance sequences. These waterfalls are not actually waterfalls technically.
It is mostly flowing water of the Kaveri. At a particular spot in the Balmuri, there is step of about 6 feet from which creates the effect of a mini-waterfall.
The intensity is not great during the dry season (March to August) and it is relatively safe to enjoy playing in the water here.
Edamuri FallsEdmuri falls is about 500 feet east of Balmuri falls and is a good spot to swim and play some games in the water. There is also an ancient Ganesha temple in the vicinity.
You will have to be cautious as there are jagged stones in the water and at some places, the water deepens suddenly.
Catch the K.R.S. bus and you have to get down before 8 kms from K.R.S. and walk about 3 kms to reach the spot. You can also hire a taxi or an auto to the spot.
You can also visit Srirangapatna which is about 20 minutes from here.

Mysore (pronounced maɪˈsɔər (help·info) in English; Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು Maisūru) is the third-largest city in the state of Karnataka, India, the first two being Bangalore and Hubli-Dharwad. It is the headquarters of the Mysore district and the Mysore division and lies about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. The name Mysore is an anglicised version of Mahishūru, which means the abode of Mahisha. Mahisha stands for Mahishasura, a demon from Hindu mythology. The city is spread across an area of 128.42 km2 (50 sq mi) and is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills.
Mysore is famous for the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. Mysore also lends its name to the Mysore mallige, Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, Mysore Peta (traditional silk turban) and the garment called the Mysore silk saree.

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