The traditional city of Mysore derives its name from 'Mahishasura' . the mythical demon and later anglicized to Mysore. It is tagged as a heritage city due to the presence of 11 palaces and around 140 heritage buildings with beautifully laid out gardens and ancient temples.
Only 145 kms southwest of Bangalore, Mysore is a quick getaway with a lot of attractions on the offer . The attraction that dominates the attention of most tourists is the completely stunning Mysore Palace. Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, the palace is built in Indo-sarcenic style and is a spectacle when lit with 98,000 bulbs during the Dasara festival and on Sundays. Apart from the ornate Durbar Hall and the beautiful Kalyana Mandapa, the palace also houses a portrait gallery, a residential museum, a dolls pavilion and 12 temples. The other must-see attraction is the Jaganmohan Palace and Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. It was used as a royal residence until it was converted into a gallery and museum in 1915.
If history and art does not interest you, then you can visit the Chamundi Hills. You can either drive or climb up the 1,000 steps to reach the summit for a breath-taking view of the city. The Chamundi Hills has the bull temple and then the actual Chamundi temple which is a little higher. To view rare and exotic species of animals that are housed in verdant settings, visit the Sri Chamarajendra Zoo. If you don't mind driving a little out of the city, then you can visit Brindavan gardens and the KRS Dam. Mysore is also a great base to continue your drive to numerous other destinations like Talakad, Bandipur, BR Hills, Kabini, Ooty, Coonoor and Coorg.
On the way from Bangalore to Mysore you can see places like Ramanagaram and Channapatna.
Mysore is beautiful at anytime of the year, but try and visit during the Dasara celebrations, when the entire city is decked-up and comes alive with illuminations, artistic performances and spectacular processions.
Mysore region was known by the name of Puragere in the 15th century. By 16th century, the city started to be known as Mahishūru. By the 17th century, Mysore Kingdom achieved independence from the Vijayanagara Empire and Seringapatam near Mysore became the capital of the kingdom. In late 18thn century the region came under the rule of the Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan who demolished a large part of the city. The capital of the kingdom was moved back to Mysore in 1799 after the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. The kingdom was distributed by the British to their allies while the British remained the actual administrator.
Although there are daily trains and several buses to Mysore, it is best to drive down in your private vehicle. The route between Bangalore and Mysore is a haven for road trippers for the sheer number of pit stops. Janapada Loka Folk Centre (53 km from Bangalore) and the attached Kamat Lokaruchi restaurant is the most popular stopover. The toy-town of Channapatna Ten Km after Ramanagaram is a good place to shop for lacquer ware. You also have options like KFC and Mc Donalds here.
Mysore is a famous tourist destination in India with many attractions in and around the city. Mysore Palace, with its beautiful architecture, is a major attraction and one of the most visited attractions in India. Mysore Palace is the entre of the Dasara celebration and during this period it receives a huge number of tourists.
Chamundeshwari Temple situated on top of the Chamundi Hills and dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari is another popular religious attraction and also a popular trekking spot. The original temple is believed to be built in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers. A huge granite statue of Nandi on the hills is also a popular attraction.
Other major tourist attractions in Mysore include the Tipu Sultan’s Palace, St. Philomena's Church, Mysore Zoo, Lalit Mahal Palace and Datta Peetham. There are several places of interest around Mysore; most notable of them are the Brindavan Gardens, Sriranganatha and Talakad. Brindavan Gardens is one of the most famous gardens in the country constructed during the period of Krishnaraja Wodeyar. The garden is built across the Cauvery River and below the Krishnarajasagar dam and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in south India.
When I travel I normally eat club sandwiches or I bring my own food. When you go into a new town, it's very had to find a good place to eat.