Mysore is known as the cultural capital of Karnataka and that is certainly not an easy crown to win. This city is home to the grand Mysore Palace, the energetic Mysore Dasara festival, and the beautiful Mysore paintings. Oh, wait. How can we forget the delicious, mouth-watering, and flavourful, Mysore masala dosa? The city has so much worth seeing, experiencing, and if possible, revisiting. If you’re planning your itinerary, make sure to add some of the best places to visit in Mysore.
Top Places To Visit In Mysore
- Mysore Palace
- Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
- St. Philomena’s Church
- Brindavan Gardens
- Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
- Karanji Lake
- Mysuru Rail Museum
1) Mysore Palace
The palace has been a testament to the city’s love and passion for creating esteemed art pieces. It used to be the home of the ruling Wadiyar dynasty and is also known as Amba Vilas Palace. The Wadiyars were the Maharajas who ruled Mysore from the late 1300s to 1950. This palace of theirs was originally made of wood and it burnt down in 1896; construction for the new one began the following year.
The dynasty went all out for the creation of the new palace. It is estimated that INR 41,47,913 was spent building it. The result is a grand structure that is designed using the best features of the Gothic, Hindu, and Islamic styles of architecture. Its domes, arches, windows, and entrances are all worth gazing at. There’s so much art in every inch of this place; no wonder it’s one of the most visited attractions in the country!
2) Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
Dedicated to Chamundeshwari, who is one of the forms of Shakti, this temple is considered to be among the most important ones in Mysore. It was built in the 12th century, but a lot of modifications were made over the years to make it look like the work of art that it is now. The gopura (the entrance of the temple) is full of beautiful carvings and the roof of the temple is seven stories tall. The fact that the temple is located on a hill, makes it look even taller.
What you also get on your visit here is a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its several attractions. There are two ways to reach the temple, you can choose the steps or ride your way up on the scenic road. If possible, check with someone if the place is crowded or not before you visit. Otherwise, you’ll not be able to make the most of your trip here.
3) St. Philomena’s Church
This is Asia’s second-largest church and one of the tallest too. Its spires are 175 feet high and it has a seating capacity of 800 people. Now that we have piqued your interest, the biggest one is Zünheboto Sümi Baptist Church in Nagaland and it accommodates… are you ready for this? 8,500 people! Now, this is for another article, let’s get back to St. Philomena’s Church. It was built in 1936 and it follows the dramatic and grand Neo-Gothic architecture. If you look at the shape of its entire floor, you’ll realize that it is made to look like a cross.
The beautiful stained windows show visitors scenes from the important moments in Christ’s life. One unique thing you’ll notice here is that a few of the female statues are dressed in sarees, which is a touch of the local tradition. The church is named after St. Philomena, a Latin Catholic saint and a young Greek princess who ended up being a martyr. One of her relics is carefully stored under the main altar in a crypt. And yes, you can visit the crypt!
4) Brindavan Gardens
Although this one is not in Mysore, the short trip of 12 km to reach there is worth it. Your destination is a majestic garden that’s spread over 60 acres in the Madya district of Karnataka. It is situated next to the massive Krishnarajasagara Dam that’s built across the Kaveri River. This garden is designed in the form of three multi-level terraces, each with its fountains, varieties of flowers, topiary shrubs, gazebos, and more. Then there’s the crown jewel of this garden – its famous musical fountain. It’s a visually delightful treat that shoots water and lights up in multiple colors in a synchronized way with the music.
Doesn’t matter what your age is, you’re going to be entertained by it. But the makers of the garden didn’t stop there; to ensure that the visitors get a wholesome experience, they also added a lake here with boating facilities. All of this makes Brindavan Gardens one of the top attractions of its region and it is visited by around 2 million people every year.
5) Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
Jaganmohan Palace is one of the seven grand palaces of Mysore. It was used as a temporary residence by the Wodeyar kings of Mysore for a short period. This three-story palace was built back in 1861 and continued to perform its royal duties till 1915, after which it was converted into an art gallery. It is now known as the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. If you are visiting here, know that you’ll be stepping into a building that houses more than 2,000 art pieces!
Works of legendary painters like Abanindranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Svetoslav Roerich, Nikolai Roerich, and more hang here in all their glory. Paintings by Raja Ravi Varma depicting scenes from the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana are one of the major highlights of this art gallery. Along with paintings, you’ll also find several interesting pieces of the bygone era such as antique coins, weapons, and sculptures.
6) Karanji Lake
This simple, serene water body surrounded by lush greenery is one of the most relaxing spots in this city. It’s a great place to spend some quality time with your dear ones or with your thoughts. A small island on the lake is turned into a butterfly park where several species of these colorful creatures flutter around throughout the day.
One of the main attractions here is the aviary, that’s 60 meters in length and is the biggest one in our country! Interestingly, it’s also the kind where you can walk through it. This allows everyone to see the birds from a closer distance. So you’ll get to see peacocks, black drongo, sunbird, black swans, and several other interesting birds here.
7) Mysuru Rail Museum
Witness the growth of the legendary Indian railway through the years at the Mysuru Rail Museum. It was formed in 1979 and has been home to several vintage train engines and carriages. All of these glorious pieces of machinery at one point in time played a role in keeping the country moving. After seeing these up close, you’ll realize how far we’ve come and the advances we’ve made.
Many of the trains that used to serve in our country are not present at this museum, but some of them can be found in the paintings and photographs that hang here. If you’re traveling with kids, don’t forget to also check out the toy train here. It’s a major attraction that carries up to 70 kids over a track of 1 km.
Summing Up
Mysore is a city that’s filled with many wonders. The sheer amount of progress its people have made in the field of arts and architecture is beyond commendable. You’ll get to witness all of their glorious achievements, culture, people, and more on your visit. So get that WhatsApp group buzzing, make a plan with your dear ones, and get ready to visit the majestic city of Mysore!
FAQs
What Language Is Spoken In Mysore?
Kannada is the official language in Mysore and it is the most commonly spoken one too. Some of the other languages spoken here are Tamil and English.
What Food Is Famous In Mysore?
Mysore Pak, Mysore masala dosa, kesari bath, poori saagu, bisi bele bath, kori gassi, and payasam are some of the most loved delicacies here.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Mysore?
The months from November to February are the best ones to visit Mysore. The city feels very pleasant during these winter months and the temperature ranges between 15°C and 26°C.
Is Mysore Safe For Tourists?
Yes, Mysore is a safe city. But we would always advise you to stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid empty streets and going out alone after dark. If you’re traveling alone, then it’s a good idea to keep someone updated about your location from time to time.
How Much Time Is Required To Visit Mysore Palace?
If you want to explore the palace and all of the things that make it the major attraction that it is, then you’ll need around two to three hours.
Which Are The 7 Palaces In Mysore?
Mysore Palace (also known as Amba Vilas), Cheluvamba Mansion, Jaganmohan Palace, Karanji Mansion, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Rajendra Vilas Palace, and Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion are the known palaces in Mysore.
Can We Cover Mysore In One Day?
With so many attractions to explore, it might get difficult to cover Mysore in one day. You can plan a trip for at least three days to properly experience the magic of this city.
Does Mysore Have Nightlife?
Yes, it does. It is not as diverse as the ones in Mumbai and Goa, but you can still have a great time in Mysore. There are plenty of clubs and bars here that stay open till 11 pm.
