¤ About Mysore
The city of Mysore is located in Karnataka. The city was the capital of mighty empires in South India for long in the past. History has left an indelible mark on Mysore. Royal elegance perfectly complements the natural beauty to create the quaint charm of Mysore that refuses to fade. The rulers of Mysore were connoisseurs of art and under their patronage the city achieved dizzying heights. Another glorious period of Mysore had set in with the rule of Tipu Sultan. The city would unfailingly evoke the valiant battles he fought as you travel to Mysore. A travel to Mysore would take you to a city of grand palaces, tree-lined avenues, picturesque gardens and sacred temples. The splendid Mysore Palace, built by the Maharajah of Mysore greets you as you travel to Mysore.

Another prominent palace is the Jaganmohan Palace. These two palaces dominate the skyline of the city. The superb architecture that the palaces boast of, showcase the rich culture and heritage of the land on one hand and the pomp and grandeur of the Indian Maharajahs. Visit the temples of Somnathpura and Goddess Chamundi as you travel to Mysore. Goddess Chamundi was the family deity of the kings of Mysore. Although the temple is located on the crest of the Chamundi hill, it offers a panoramic view of the city from the hilltop.

Somnathapura temple is enclosed in a walled courtyard, which has carved friezes depicting rows of cavalry, elephants and stories from the epics. Mysore is a historical city, which has seen the rise and fall of many empires in the southern part of India. Two majestic palaces dominate the skyline of Mysore. Tourist attractions in Mysore lie in its manicured gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples that lie peppered over the cityscape. The royal families of Mysore were great patrons of art and sculpture. The tourist attractions in Mysore speak volumes for the fact.

¤ Major Tourist Attractions of Mysore
» Maharaja's Palace - The palace is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Mysore. The English Architect, Henry Irwin had designed the palace, which is an architectural marvel with its sculpted pillars, Intricately carved doors, the golden howdah.

» The Jaganmohan Palace - This is another beautiful building in Mysore. It was an alternative retreat for the royal family of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar. This three-storeyed palace with stained glass shutters and ventilators, in a lovely garden setting has now been converted to an art gallery. This museum displays paintings, sculptures and musical instruments.

Chamundi Hills - Goddess Chamundi was the patron deity of the royal family of Mysore. At the outskirts of the city the temple serves as a prominent landmark. Close to the temple, there is a statue of Mahishasura, the demon slayed by the goddess Chamundeshwari and a tall monolith of Nandi, Lord Shiva's pet.

Brindavan Gardens - A little away from Mysore, the beautiful Brindavan Gardens is located just below the famous reservoir Krishnarajasagaraon on the river Cauvery. The musical fountain in the garden is one of the most notable tourist attractions in Mysore.

Somanathapura Temple - Nearly 42 kms from Mysore, the temple is famous for its elaborate detail and markedly from different the other Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid.

St. Philomena's Church - The Gothic structure is modeled on Cathedral at Cologne. The altar bears the statue of St. Philomena, a third century saint from Greece.

Mysore Zoo - Established in 1892, the zoo displays a large collections of animals, including exotic species, are housed in lush green surroundings.

¤ Shopping
Mysore is a shopper's paradise. It is surrounded by sandalwood and rosewood forests. Thus, most of the tourists coming to Mysore look for items made from sandalwood or rosewood. Though a bit expensive these, pieces make excellent gift as well as decorative items. The sandalwood oil might be a bit expensive but is an essential commodity to be bought in Mysore. Mysore silk sarees are very popular and coveted by the ladies. Here you can purchase some of the finest silk. The government silk factory offers silks straight off the loom. Apart from the sandalwood items and silk, Mysore is also famous for the stone carved statues. The government run "Kaveri Emporium" located on Sayyaji rao road provides genuine sandalwood, rosewood and wooden carvings for the tourists.While you are in Mysore, do not forget to visit the colorful Mysore City Market. Here, you can see the city market standing with it's original grandour. The market is several decades old, however the structure, layout and other features still remain the same. Here you can get to see the vegitable market, flower market, fruit market, perfume market in a organized manner. During festival times, the market is very crowded and colorful with many types of vegitables, flowers which are up for sale.

¤ Accomodation
Mysore offers a wide range of accommodation facilities. There is the former Palace turned hotel called the Lalitha Mahal, a hotel in the five star category. Then there is the Ramanshree Comforts, Hotel Maurya Hoysala, Dasprakash Paradise and King's Court which are among the good hotels. There are budget hotels as well.

¤ Climate of Mysore
Mysore does not have an extreme type of climate and the weather throughout the year is pleasant. The summers are warm and winters are cool. One can visit the city any time of the year but it is advisable to avoid the rainy seasons.

¤ How To Reach Mysore
» Air - The nearest airport from Mysore is Bangalore, which is also the capital of Karnataka. Bangalore at the same time is an industrial city. Several numbers of airlines operate regular flights to and from Bangalore and nearly all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.

» Rail - Mysore has a railway station with in the city. It is linked by rail to Bangalore and many other cities in south India. Prestigious luxury trains and many other mails and express trains service this station regularly.

» Road - A convenient network of roads connects Mysore to important cities in Karnataka. A state highway links the city with Bangalore (139kms).