Places To Visit In Mysore

Popularly known as the 'Sandalwood City of India', Mysore presents a wide list of attractions that captivates the attention of global tourists. Being the cultural epitome of Karnataka, Mysore is surely a stopover destination on your trip to South India. Number of palaces, temples, art galleries and beautiful gardens speak volumes about the spectacular history of the region. The warm hospitality of the local people will make you feel at home. Synonymous with sandalwood, silk saris and incense sticks, the city of Wodeyars is admired for its beautifully maintained heritage. Adding to the old charm of the place is its adaption to modern life and growing technology that makes Mysore a thriving city. Just like the monumental attraction of the region, the climate of the city promises to allure you. To know more about this colorful city, go through the article below, which tells you about the unmissable tourist attractions in Mysore.

Tourist Attractions In Mysore

Brindavan Gardens
A trip to Mysore is incomplete without exploring the beauty of Brindavan garden. This beautiful garden, laid out next to Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, is admired for its well-maintained garden and illuminated fountain, which is a fine example of its striking engineering. Spread over 150 acres of land, the colorful flowers, trimmed lawns and trees of the place delights you with its refreshing cool breeze. If you want to get the best of this place, then visit the garden after sunset and enjoy the vibrant fountain, which comes alive with colorful lights and music after sunset.

Chamundi Hills
Chamundi Hills is one of the landmarks of Mysore that attracts tourists by its scenic beauty. The Chamundeshwari temple on the top of the hills is the main deity of Mysore Maharajas, who had ruled the state for centuries. Although the original shrine is very old, the renovation work done in the early nineteenth century maintains the glitter and divinity of the structure. On your visit to the temple, you can find the statue of Mahishasura, a demon killed by Chamundeshwari, and you can explore the beauty of Nandi, the giant bull.

Mysore Zoo
Established by King Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1892, the Mysore zoo is also known as Chamarajendra Zoological garden and is world famous for its exquisite collection of animals and birds that are kept in green natural surroundings. If you love animals, then you can adopt any one animal of your choice and take care of its food expenses. On visiting this zoo, do explore the beauty of adjacent Karanji Lake, which attracts different species of migratory birds from around the world. However, you can enjoy your jolly little trip to the zoo from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Jagan Mohan Palace
Jagan Mohan Palace is one of the oldest buildings of Mysore and was once the summer retreat for the royal family of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar. The palace captivates the attention of every visitor by its glorious structure. This beautiful three-storey building is known for its stained glass shutters, beautifully designed ventilators and lovely garden. Recently, the palace was converted into an art gallery, and it exhibits sculptures, musical instruments and paintings of some of the renowned painters. Apart from this, the palace has also served as a venue for many cultural fests and programs in the past. Even today, the place serves as a stage for a number of prestigious functions and annual meets.

St. Philomena's Church
St. Philomena's Church is one of the largest churches in Asia and is admired for its gothic architecture. The church was constructed in 1936 by the grandson of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. The main hall, which can occupy nearly 800 people, is known for its exquisite carvings. The exterior of the church is decorated with beautiful stained glass depicting the scenes from the Bible, which further enhances the beauty of the structure. The church remains open for tourists on all days from 8 am to 6 pm.

Maharaja's Palace
Maharajas Palace acts as a major attraction of Mysore. The magnificent structure designed by noted English architect, Henry Irwin is an architectural wonder that is admired for its extensively designed carved doors, sculpted pillars and beautiful paintings. The palace is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic, Dravidian and Roman styles of architecture. The outer walls of the palace are bordered with ninety thousand light bulbs that glow together in the evening, giving an awesome look to the palace.

Bull Temple
Bull temple of Mysore was constructed in the 6th century in honor of Nandi - a divine bull. Featuring a huge monolithic bull, the temple is visited not only by devotees but also by tourists from around the world. The structure of the bull carved out of single stone of granite was originally gray in color but due to the offerings of coconut oil by devotees, the color has now changed into black. The temple is crowded with devotees during Kadalekayi Parishe - a temple fair celebrated during the months of November-December and during Shivratri.

Rail Museum
Rail Museum of Mysore, established in 1979, served as the earliest railway museum in India. Situated near Mysore railway station, the museum is a treasure hunt for people who are interested in locomotives and technology. The photographs and models of railways displayed here take you through the history of technological development. Apart from the visual delight of model trains, you can enjoy a ride in mini train on museum grounds. The museum is open for you on all days except Monday from 10 am to 1 pm and again from 3 pm to 5 pm.