Mysore is grandeur in the pages of Indian history.
The city crisscrosses Indian history chapters in the beginning of the 16th century when the Mughals started to ensnare parts of north India. Though history of Mysore dates back to the 13th century but it was during the reign of the Wodeyar dynasty that the Mahishuru Fort was constructed. Just after the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, Mysore became a sovereign state and slowly the kingdom took over a major part of the Deccan and built itself as the capital city of the Kingdom of Mysore and served as such till 1947. Today Mysore is considered as one of the princely cities in India prepossessing a cultural symphony, palatial architectures, temples having intrinsic works of ancient civilizations and the unique Mysore style painting.
Much of the city reflects with the colours of the Vijayanagar Empire followed by the Wodeyar dynasty and later the hues and cries of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The princely gallery of Mysore is something of a gore galore with war and bloodbath. During the latter half of the 18th century when Mysore became the point of conflict for the Marathas, British and Nizam of Golconda, leading to the Fourth Anglo Mysore War. It was during the period of British India, in the year 1912, when the Mysore Palace, having a unique blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture, was built. Today it is one of the major tourist attractions in Mysore. The Mysore Palace is famous for its spacious halls, paintings and architectural embellishments. The Mysore travel video below will give you a panoramic glance of the exterior walls of the Mysore Palace.
Mysore Palace
The major attractions inside the Mysore Palace are the Hall of Private Audience, Public Hall, Armoury, Doll’s Pavilion and Marriage Hall. The Mysore travel video below will offer you the impressive works of the Amba Vilas or the Hall of Private Audience.
Amba Vilas, Inside Mysore Palace
After the independence Mysore city remained a part of the Mysore state, now known as Karnataka. Now Mysore is considered as the cultural capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. The city being under the control of various dynasties, it dwells the harmony of two major religions, Hindu and Muslim. Over the years Mysore boasts of a rich indigenous culture that can be noticed from the festivals of Mysore, paintings and traditional garments. The Dasara festival is one of the major festivals in Mysore whereas the distinctive gesso work of Mysore style of paintings simply dilates the canvass of Mysore. Below here is a small compilation of the famous Dasara Festival in Mysore as shot by regional channel, Kannadatv.
Dasara Festival, Mysore
Close to the Mysore Palace, the Hotel Pai Vista is one of the best hotels in Mysore that boasts 66 well-appointed rooms, which have been aesthetically designed and suitably furnished to offer optimum comfort to the guests. Here is one of our best Mysore travel videos of the hotel Pai Vista. Let’s check it out.
Hotel Pai Vista, Mysore
The festival begins with the Wodeyar royal couple performing a special puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the Chamundi Temple, which is one of the major tourist attractions in Mysore and an eminent pilgrimage, followed by a royal assembly and thereby on the ninth day of Dasara, the procession takes place involving elephants, horses and camels. It is during this time of the year when Mysore Palace, on the other hand, is illuminated daily from 7pm to 10pm reflecting the cultural rays of Mysore.
The Chamundi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Chamuneshwari that is the other form of Goddess Durga, atop the Chamundi Hills is considered as one of the Shakti Peetha, which is associated to the Hindu mythology of Sati’s self immolation. Well… one can even enchant the panoramic view of the Mysore city from the hilltop. Here is one of the Mysore travel videos from the lens of Mysore Tourism that drives you en route the intertwining road to the Chamundeshwari Temple.
Chamundeshwari Temple
Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore, who introduced a number of administrative innovations, including the growth of Mysore silk industry, has influenced much of the city’s religious harmony. He was a devout Muslim but majority of his subjects were Hindus and Christians. Much of his history are now penned in words in the pages of Indian history and his palace, the Lal Mahal, which is close to the city of Mysore in Srirangapattna is in ruins. Here is a short Mysore travel video of the ruins of Lal Mahal from the mini cam of Sridhar Rao.
Ruins of Lal Mahal
Close to the ruins of Lal Mahal, is the beautiful Shri Ranganathswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the unique Dravidian styles of architecture temple that dates back to the 13th century. It is considered as one of the largest temples in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. The complex houses shrines of dozens of forms of Vishnu including Chakkarathazhwar, Narasimha, Rama, Hayagreeva and Gopala Krishna. Let’s check out the below footage on Shri Ranganathswamy Temple.
Shri Ranganathswamy Temple
Mysore exposes a distinctive pleasant odor that fetches tourists from different corners. The Mysore Sandalwood products are some distinctive products that behold an ad hoc history. In the early 20th century, the Mysore Kingdom in India was one of the largest producers of sandalwood in the world. The major products are sandalwood soaps, sandalwood oil perfumes and sandalwood agarbatti. Below here is an informative film on manufacturing of sandalwood agarbatti.
Manufacturing of Mysore Sandalwood Agarbatti
Mysore is truly a shopper’s paradise. Guys mind your wallet… When we are talking about shopper’s paradise… it’s all about the Mysore Silk sarees. Take a look at the beautiful Mysore city, the pure silk sarees with host Lakshmi Nair.
Mysore Silk Saree
The Neo Gothic Style, the St. Philomena’s Church is another most beautiful attraction in Mysore that is located right on the heart of the city. It was built in the year 1936 and was inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Below here is a wonderful Mysore travel video of the St. Philomena’s Church from the camcorder of Saran Mohan.
St. Philomena’s Church, Mysore
Well… that’s not all. Approximately 45 kms from the city of Mysore, the amazing vicinage of the Brindavan Garden is one of the major attractions in Mysore. It is spread across an area of 60 acres and lies adjoining the Krishnarajasagara dam which is built across the river Kaveri. The garden is set up in 3 terraces which contain water fountains, Ficus trees, foliage plants such as Duranta plumaria and Euphorbia and flowering plants like Celosia, Marigold and bougainvillea. Here is some blazing footage of the Brindavan Garden below.
Brindavan Garden near Mysore
It’s a you pick now situation….when you are done with Mysore… you can steer your wheels to Coorg, which offers unique pleasant climate throughout the year. It is approximately 90 kms away from Mysore. From the pages of Indian history and hues of religion, your drive to Coorg encounters the enchanting colours and choruses of the Western Ghats. From varied spice plantations to the rich coffee orchids rolling down the hills and from sploshing waterfalls to the misty clouds roving over Tala Cauveri, Coorg is going to fulfill your holiday. Here is an amazing video of the vicinity of Coorg from the lens of Praveen.
Coorg
You have another option and that’s too about 90 kms drive from Mysore. The Bandipur National Park that houses varied species of flora, mammals and birds, is one of the major attractions for eco-tourists and nature lovers. The major attraction in Bandipur National Park is Tiger and one can enjoy a thrilling Tiger Safari inside the park. Let’s check out one of the best Mysore travel video below from the lens of Yaduveer.
Tiger Trail, Bandipur National Park
Lastly… and make sure you drive to this unexplored destination near to Mysore. Somanathapura that houses one of the ancient temples of the Hoysala Empire, dating back to the 13th century, is an awe-inspiring sight to capture. The Chennakesava Temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture and is dedicated to several Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Check out the video below of the Chennakesava temple.
Chennakesava Temple
Close to the Chennakesava Temple, the Bharachukki waterfall is another beguiling attraction. Below here is the footage of the vicinity of Bharachukki waterfall.
Bharachukki Waterfall By Swairik Das
