Mysore is  located in the state of Karnataka in Southern India. A former capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore is often considered as the cultural hub of Karnataka. The city boasts of a large number of palaces and gardens that reflect the history of the city.

The full name of the city is ''''Mahishasurana Ooru'''' which literally means the city of the demon king Mahishasur. According to Hindu Mythology, the demon king was killed by the Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari atop the Chamundi Hill, Mysore on the outskirts of the city. Today, the hill houses a temple that is dedicated to the Goddess and is visited by devotees all through the year. The temple is an important tourist attraction in Mysore. Sightseeing in Mysore would remain incomplete without a trip to this holy abode of worship.

Known as the City of Palaces, Mysore houses a number of palaces that reflect a royal history of the city. While sightseeing in Mysore one will witness a large number of fortresses which signify the past grandeur of the Wodeyar reign. The travel guide of Mysore includes a list of palaces and fortresses and one of the major tourist attractions in the city is the Mysore Palace, Mysore the erstwhile residence of the Royal Family of Mysore. The Palace lies in the midst of the Mirza Road in central Mysore and is locally referred to as Amba Vilas. Completed in 1912, the Palace is the largest palatial monument in the country. The palace reflects the charm and grandeur of the Wodeyar dynasty in its architecture. The main attraction in the Palace is the Golden Royal Elephant Throne and the Durbar Hall which houses a few artifacts of the former rulers of Mysore.

MYSORE  PALACE

The city of Mysore is located in the Southern Indian state of Karnataka. Also referred as the City of Palaces, Mysore houses a large selection of palaces in and around the city. Sightseeing in Mysore will be incomplete without a trip to the famous Mysore palace at the heart of the city. The Palace in Mysore is the erstwhile residence of the Wodeyars, the Royal family of Mysore.

Also known as Maharaja''''s Palace, it the most visited tourist attraction in the city. The palace is located at Mirza Road in the heart of Mysore, Karnataka. The Maharaja''''s Palace is one of the largest existing monuments in India and is also referred as the Amba Vilas by many historians.

The original palace at Mysore burnt down in 1897 and the present structure was built on the remains of the old in 1912 by the then King of Mysore. The monument was re-designed by Henry Irwin, a well known British architect who combined Hindu, Islamic, Rajput and Gothic architectural styles to build the Mysore Palace.

It is a three storied monument which spreads across an area of 245 feet in length and 156 feet in breadth. The palace is well known for its marble domes and five storied tower that is approximately 145 feet tall. Every year the palace plays host to the famous Hindu festival of Dussehra. During these ten days of celebration the palace is lit up with bulbs and leadings artists from across the country gather to perform on the palace grounds. One of the most famous spectacles during the festivities is the elephant parade on the tenth day of the celebration.

The palace premises include a large gateway known as the ''''Gombe Thotti'''' or the Doll''''s Pavilion. The main entrance of the palace is also known as the elephant gate and is adorned with floral designs and designs of bears which is the royal symbol of Mysore. The northern edge of the gates has been decorated with hand crafted dolls that date back to nineteenth and twentieth century. The gate also houses a ceremonial wooden elephant carriage which has been decorated with 84 kilograms of gold.

 CHAMUNDI HILLS

Chamundi Hill on the outskirt of Mysore, Karnataka is one landmark place which never fails to be present in the itinerary of tourists visiting Mysore. While driving to Mysore, these hills can be seen from a distance of about 8 to 10 kms. The average elevation of the Chamundi Hill of Mysore is 1065 meters above sea level and approximately 800 meters above Mysore. It is about 3 kms from the City of Mysore.

On the top of the hill stands the Chamundeshwari Temple that has its emergence which dates back to the 11 th century. Chamundeshwari was the omnipotent deity of the Mysore Maharajas and has been idolized for centuries. Goddess Chamundeshwari is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati and took this form to vanquish the demon Mahisasura. The fierce form of Shakti can be witnessed in Goddess Chamundeshwari. The temple has the image of the Goddess wearing a garland of skulls.

Maharaja Dodda Devaraja built the flight of 1000 steps in 1659 which leads up to the peak of the hill. The steps are carved out of granite rocks and are built to help the pilgrims ascend the hill easily. History also claims that Chamraja Wodeyar who worshipped there in 1573 was miraculously saved from a lightning hit. It is also asserted in history that Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar constructed 63 houses at the floor of Chamundi hills and named it Devarajapura. He donated it to the Brahmins who took care of the temple. As the kings used horses to go to the temples, there were separate set of equestrian steps carved out on the hills. Krishnaraja III built the marvelous gopuram (pyramidal temple tower) in late 18 th century and presented the Nakshatramalika jewel.

A colorful gigantic statue of the Mahishasura made of mortar stands atop the hill to greet the visitors. The temple also has several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). On the 800 th step on the hill, there is a colossal statue of Nandi. The statue is over 15 feet high and 24 feet long. There is a small palace on the top that belongs to the Kings of Mysore called Lilathadri. A temple tank called Devikola is used during festivals. The Chamundi Hill in Mysore also has shrines dedicated to Shive-mahabaleshwar and Lakshmi Narayana-Vishnu.

Of the various places of sightseeing in Mysore , Chamundi Hill of Mysore is one of the foremost landmarks which offer a scenic view of the beautiful City of Palace, Mysore.

Brindavan Garden Mysore

Located 15km from the city center, Brindavan Gardens are one of the most visited travel destinations in Mysore. The Gardens are laid across the River Cauvery below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mandya District, spreading over 150 acres of land. From Mysore it is a 30-minute drive to reach these exquisite gardens.

On the other side of the dam lie the Brindavan Gardens. At the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar''''s regime the garden is constructed below the Krishnarajasagar dam across the river Cauvery. Evenings holds an enchanting charm as the sun sets behind the mountains on the western side, the whole environ turns spectacular with the splash of golden rays reflecting through the lake.

The garden is embellished with vast expanses of well-laid out lawns, diverse kaleidoscopic rows of flowers and above all the amazing site of fountains encompassing a small beautiful lake holding the charm of musical fountain in its center. In Dec 2004 the entire garden was amended with new fountains and lights. Brindavan Gardens are basically terrace gardens that have been landscaped with decorated steps where water flows in-between these ornate steps.

The other sightseeing spots in Mysore are:

- Jayalakshmi Vilas, Mysore

- Vasantha Mahal, Mysore

- Rajendra Vilas, Mysore

- St. Philomena''''s Church, Mysore

Main festivals of Mysore are Dasara, Vairamudi and Yugadi.

While touring the city, one can also visit the National Museum of Natural History in Museum which provides the visitors with information on the environment. The guests are educated on the ways and methods to protect the natural environment and the hazards of pollution. The Railway Museum in Mysore was built in 1979 by the Indian Railways. The Museum is the one of the oldest outdoor exhibit of locomotives in India. The Railway Museum also houses a large number of photographs and paintings which trace the history of railways in India and the state of Karnataka.Another tourist attraction museums are Folklore Museum . Built in 1968, one can find a large selection of folk art and crafts from across the Mysore, Karnataka.

Hotels In Mysore

Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel Mysore

5 Star Deluxe

Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel is located 15 km. from Airport,

4 km. from Bus Station,

8 km. from Railway Station

Siddhartha Nagar (P.O) Near Saibaba Temple,

Mysore -570 011,

India.

Quality Inn Southern Star Mysore

4 Star

Quality Inn Southern Star is located 145 km. from Airport,

1.5 km. from Bus stand,

0.3 km. from Railway station

13,14, Vinoba Road,

Mysore -570005,

India.

Best Western Ramanashree Mysore

3 Star

Best Western Ramanashree is located 155 km. from Airport (Dom.),

150 km. from Airport (Intl.),

1 km. from City center,

3 km. from Railway station

43/A , Hardinge Circle,

Mysore -570001,

India.

Kings Kourt Hotel Mysore

3 Star

Kings Kourt Hotel is located 5 km. from Bus Station,

5 km. from Railway Station

Lakshmi Bai Road,

Jhansi,

Mysore -570 005,