10 Stunning Places In Mysore

Mysore is the cultural capital and third populated city of Karnataka. Located on the Chamundi Foothills is one of the cleanest cities in the state. The city has historical benchmarks of Wodeyar dynasty Kings. The rich heritage of Mysore attracts people all over the world. As you are searching Mysore tourism I guess you have a plan to set it your upcoming getaway.

The tour will be termed successful if you visit Mysore Palace, Mysore Zoo, Lalitha Mahal, St. Philomena’s Church - famous places in Mysore, bought famous beautiful silk saree, handcraft, tasted sweets, Mysore Masala Dosa and prettiest would be the GRS water park ride. It is all time tourism-friendly but I would suggest you set it next end during winter and Dussehra for elegant light decoration when dusk falls for 10 days of Celebration.

Anyway check Mysore weather report and be ready to explore these 10 important places in Mysore.

1. Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace is also known as Mysore Maharaja Palace or Amba Vilas located in the city centre. The Indo- Saracenic architectural style- composure of Islamic, Hindu, Gothic gives it a charming look. This palace is built in the year 1912 by Wodeyar Dynasty King.

The Wodeyar dynasty ruled Mysore for seven centuries and the royal family still stays in the palace at one part, the rest is for visitors from the country and foreign. It is believed to be the second most visited heritage following the Taj Mahal. Mysore has seven Palaces but none of them has this magnificent guise. This wonder must be visited during Dussehra for the eloquent 98000 bulbs lightings and incredible decoration after dusk.

Timing: 10 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry Fee: INR 40 per adult and INR 20 per children

Location: Sayyaji Rao Road, Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka 570001, India

2. Brindavan Garden

Brindavan Garden Built across river Cauvery on Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and is located 21 km away from Mysore. This garden occupies 60 acres of land and its charming starts right from the entrance. The colourful Rose and flowerbeds give a soul-soothing ambience to the visitors. The spot can also be enjoyed as a picnic destination. There are corn and coffee sellers in the garden and they will refine your vibe while a stroll on the cold grass. There are swings and rides for children to play. The magical fountain, music and cheering boat rides in the natural aura will surely make a lifetime memory.

Entry Fee: Adult INR 15, Children INR 5

Timing: 6 AM to 8 PM Everyday, Musical Fountain 6.30 to 7.30 in Weekday evening and 6.30 to 8.30 in the Weekend evening.

3. Karanji Lake

Karanji Lake is a man-made lake built for recreational purpose by Mysore King. It is situated on Chamundi Foothills, spread across 90 acres. A Park is having a picturesque view around this lake. It is India’s largest walk-through aviary. You can closely see myriad indigenous and migratory bird species chirping in the lake and park. It has a butterfly park, children’s corner, boating facility on the lake water is bound to cater awe ardour.

Timing: Tuesday Closed, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm other days.

Entry Fee: INR 10 for adult and INR 5 for Children.

4. Rail Museum

The Mysore Railway Museum is the second-largest Rail Museum in the country after Delhi’s National Rail Museum. It is established in the year 1979. The Museum is close to Mysore Railway Station and has many old trains and the first steam engine, signal making it informative to the visitors.

There are many exhibitions of paintings, images and graphics, ticketing machine, ticket, clock, signal sign, steam-operated water pump conveying the development of Indian Railway. One of the interesting trains is the Maharani Saloon Carriage of 1899. The battery-operated train in the museum will extend you a ride within the premise of the museum making it children’s fond. A part of the museum called Sri Ranga Pavilion is allocated for Mysore Maharaja Historical restoration.

Timing: Monday Closed, Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 5.30 pm

Entry Fee: Adult INR 15, Children INR 10

5. Sri Chamundeshwari Temple

Chamundeshwari Temple situated at the peak point of Chamundi Hills is 13 km away from Mysore. Hindu deity Durga is worshipped in this temple but there are statues of Nandi and Mahishasura. The architectural style is eye-catching with 7 gopurams, 7 golden Kalash, pillars and walls are excellently carved with sayings.

You have to climb 1000 steps or drive through the interwoven valley to reach Chamundeswari Temple and after that, you can avail whole Mysore in a top sight. The temple generally is not so crowded.

Timing: 7.30 am to 9 pm, closed from 2 pm to 3.30 pm, 6- 7.30 pm

Location: Chamundi Hills, Mysore-570010, Karnataka, India.

6. St. Philomena’s Church

Asia’s second-tallest Cathedral St. Philomena’s Church is famous for its Neo-Gothic style of architecture. It was a small church before Maharaja Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar reconstructed for 8 years the church functioned again in the year 1941. German’s Reverend Rene Feuge designed this church.

The glass window exhibits important life events of Jesus and the interior is also well designed. Around 800 devotees can pray at a time on the Congregation Hall. St. Philomena’s Cathedral is a tribute to the martyrs of Roman Catholic Church, Saint Philomena. St. Philomena was the daughter of a monarch of Greece. At the of 13, her father took her to Role Emperor Diocletian. The king enthralled by Philomena’s beauty wanted to marry her. Philomena refused the proposal because she wanted to devote herself to God. The angry Rome Emperor tortured and beheaded Philomena.

Timing: 5 am to 6 pm Everyday.

Location: Lourdes Nagar, Ashoka Road, Lashkar Mohalla, Mysore, Karnataka, India, 570001

7. Shivanasamudra Falls

You should visit the island that decides Sacred Cauvery River into two waterfalls when you are in Mysore. Those two waterfalls in Shivanasamudra named Gaganachukki and Bharachukki are the most popular waterfalls all over the country. Asia's first hydroelectric power station was established here and it's still there.

It is about 85 km away from Mysore.

8. Lalitha Mahal

You can see from Chamundi Hill’s top the architectural style of Lalitha Mahal an imitation of St. Paul's Cathedral of London. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV built this second largest palace of Mysore in the year 1921 exclusively for the rest of then Viceroy.

Lalitha Mahal has a picturesque ambience with white colour on the backdrop and well maintained large flower garden. Government of India handed over to the India Tourism Development Corporation in the year 1974 for public exposition.

Timing: 8 am to 5 pm

Location: Lalitha Mahal Nagar, Siddhartha Layout, Mysore, Karnataka, India- 570028,

Entry Fee: INR 100 per person

9. Mysore Zoo

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens or Mysore Zoo is established in the year 1892. This zoo extending to the area of 157 acres is a habitat of country animals and also acquired from foreign(Sixty-Eight Species). Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar built this zoo for the royals near Mysore Palace.

There are several Educational Programmes organised by the zoo such as Literary Competition, Summer Camp and Club Activities. Karanji Lake was put under the jurisdiction of Mysore Zoo in the year 1976 and since then it has been a place for boating. Many people visit the place as an educational trip.

Timing: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Tuesday closed)

Entry Fee: INR 60 per person

Location: Main Rd, Indira Nagar, Mysore, Karnataka, India-570010

10. Bonsai Garden

There are more than 100 Bonsai trees in Bonsai Garden. It is a part of Avadoota Datta Peetham of Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashrama. The unique dwarf trees are spread over 4 acres of Bonsai Garden. There is a statue of Buddha, a green deer park and monkeys for devotees, nature and wildlife lovers.

The 100 years lovely trees in Terracotta pot truly gives an amazing look. Must visit in December for the 3-day seminar and workshop conducted by experts across the world on Bonsai trees. Check Bonsai Garden Entry Fee and Location

Entry Fee: INR 20 per person

Timings: 9.30 am - 5.30 pm, 12.30 pm- 3.30 pm Closed and Wednesday off.

Location: Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashrama, Mysore - Ooty Rd, Gundurao Nagar, Datta Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka, India- 570025

Conclusion: Dussehra is the best time to visit Mysore for the festive mood of the city. You can not have a night outing and party in Mysore so be ready to spend time in hotels or family residence at night.

(All pictures are taken from Public Domain)