Mysore , the ' SANDAL WOOD CITY ', once the residence and capital of the Wodeyars is located at 770 m above sea level and 140 km from Bangalore . The Mahabharata refers to this city as 'Mahisamati' in connection with an expedition of the Pandava Prince Sahadeva. The great king Ashoka sent a missionary in the 3 rd century BC to preach the religion of Buddha. Raja Raja Deva, a Chola Prince ruled over Mysore in the 9 th century AD. Gangas were ruling this territory between 1003 and 1022 AD. The Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijaynagara and Mysore kings ruled over it in succession.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Mysore Palace : Once the residence of the Wodeyars, it is one of the largest of its kind in India . Built in Indo-Saracenic style, it is mainly a three storied tower crowned by a gilded dome. It consists of great courtyard, the marriage pavilion, the Durbar hall, the armory, the music and drawing rooms, a carved silver door, a solid gold throne and a gallery of exquisite paintings.
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery : It is a palace transformed into a gallery with paintings dating from 1875 AD. The collection includes paintings by Ravi Varma, the Russian Svetoslav Roerich and the traditional Mysore gold leaf style of painting.
Railway Museum : Behind the city railway station is an interesting museum pertaining to Railways.
Lalitha Mahal Palace : The summer palace of the royal family it stands at the highest point commanding panoramic view of the city which has been now convened into a five-star hotel.
Mysore Zoo:It owes its origin to his Highness, Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur. The very extensive grounds are beautifully laid out and rare animals bred in captivity.
St.Philomena’s Church: Built in the Gothic style, it is one of the largest churches in the country and has beautiful stained glass windows. A beautiful image of Philomena placed in an underground chamber is worth paying a visit.
The city has a number of temples such as Varahaswamy temple, one of the Hoysala type of architecture, Parsanna krishnaswamy temple founded in 1825 by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III Trineswara temple with a Dravedian structure and Laxminarayan Swamy temple.
Chamundi Hills: (13 km) It takes its name from the goddess Kali or Chamundi, the consort of Shiva, who is worshipped in a Chamundeswari temple dated to 13 th century on a summit dedicated to the patron goddess of the royal family. Halfway up is the sacred Nandi Bull, 4.5 m monolith – a colossal figure of Nandi – worshipped by the Maharaja.
Srirangapatnam: (14 km)The island fortress that was once the capital of the warrior kings Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, the tiger of Mysore.Tipu’s summer palace,Daria Daulat,built in 1784,was his favorite retreat. It is now a museum and tells eloquently of his valor and his losing battle against British expansion. It has ornate and beautiful frescoes. The temple of Lord Srirangapatnam is said to have been built by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah in 894 AD.
Ranganathittu: (19 km) This bird sanctuary is an abode for migratory birds like Stock, White Ibis, Little Egret, Partridges, wild duck, spon bill peafowl, pond heron. June to September is the best season to witness the birds.
Krishnarajendra Dam & Brindavan Garden : ( 19 km) A dam was constructed across the Kaveri River during the reign of his Highness Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar Bahadur. The dam was built keeping in view the need for a constant supply of water for electric installation at Shivanasamundram which was put in 1902. A pleasant garden called Brindavan is raised adjacent to dam and has swirling fountains dancing to rhythm of soft musk-the colorful fairy light.
Nanjangud: (22 km) Important pilgrim centre it has famous temple dedicated to Nanjundeswara built in Dravidian style with a lofty Gopuram. This spacious temple is 385 x 160 ft. and supported by 147 columns. The temple's car festival and procession is held toward the end of March.
HOW TO REACH
Air: There is no flight to Mysore although there is an Indian airlines booking office next to Hotel Mayura
Rail: Bangalore is well connected by frequent trains to Bangalore , Arisikere, Hassan, Mangalore and Chennai. Passenger trains connecting Mysore and Bangalore stop at Srirangapatnam.
Road: Mysore is connected by road to all important cities of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Regualr bus services and tourist taxis are available from Bangalore .
HOTELS IN MYSORE
STAR CATEGORY
NAME OF HOTEL
5 Star
Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Quality Inn Southern Star.
4 Star
Bush Betta Wild Life Adventure Resorts.
3 Star
Hotel Best Western Ramanashree,Hotel Kaynes,Hotel Siddharta,Kings Kourt Hotel, The Viceroy.
2 Star
Hotel Metropole,Kadur Inn, Hotel Calinga
1 Star
Hotel Krishna Rajasagar, Mysore Dasaprakash
Govt.Approved
Hotel Paradise, Kabini River Lodge, Rajendra Vilas Palace , The Village.
Others
Hotel Airlines, Hotel Brindavan,Hotel Highway, Hotel Indra Bhavan,Hotel Luciya International, Hotel Maurya,Hotel Roopa,Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre.
MADIKERI(MERCARA)
Madikeri is the capital town of Kodagu district. This elevated charming town formerly known as Mercara is an excellent base to enjoy Kodagu countryside. Kodagu, which means dense hill country, is the smallest district in Karnataka and is spread over a delightful area in the Western Ghats , with rolling hills, forests, coffee plantations and hiking opportunity.
The Kodagu's or Coorgi's, as they are better known have a unique culture and are fiercely independent. They are best known for their coffee, beautiful women and high-ranking military officers. Believed to be descendants of migrating Persians and Kurds they are proud of their martial traditions and are very hospitable. They also have a distinctive cuisine, in which pork curry [Pandhi Curry] and rice dumplings [Kadumbuttu] are all time favorites.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Madikeri Fort: This small stone building with its three stone gateways, was built by Lingarajendra Wodeyar between 181214, and is situated on the high ground dominating the town. This former palace of the Kodava kings now houses local government offices including a library and the St Mark's Church, which is converted as the Government Museum , The museum houses an interesting collection including British weapons, a boomerang and a stuffed leopard. The museum is open on all days except Mondays and alternate Saturdays from 9am to 5pm .
Omkareshwara Temple: Built in 1821, it is dedicated to both Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. It has an interesting blend of architectural designs with tiled roofs typical of Kerala Hindu architecture with a dome in the centre of a square lake with minarets at each comer that depict Islamic architectural influences. It is only walking distance from the town, and it is open on all days.
Raja’s Seat: This small garden, built for the enjoyment of former rulers, offers a panoramic view especially at daybreak or dusk. Nearby is the miniature train called Baba Sahib Express, which offers you a five - minute ride. The tombs of the former Kodava kings known as Rajas' Tombs are located in the northern suburbs of the town in an unfenced and permanently open site.
Abbi Falls : Near the Rajas' tombs, about 8kms out of town in a private coffee estate is this lovely and popular picnic spot. It is a good place to hike up to from the tombs. The best time to visit is immediately after the monsoons between June and September.
Kakkabe : Kakkabe has some of the largest farms in Asia and is located beneath the highest peak in Kodagu, the Tadiandamol [1745 m]. About 2km north of Kakkabe is perhaps the most important temple in Kodagu, the Padi Iggutappa Temple . The Honey Farm nearby is well worth a visit. The horticultural gardens and children's camp site at the Nalanda Palace built in 1791 as a hunting lodge is yet another interesting site for a visit. There are direct buses here from Madikeri, which take about 2 hours to get here.
HOW TO REACH
Air: Nearest airport is at Bangalore (252Km).
Road: Madikeri is well connected by bus services to all major places in this part of the country although there are no air or rail services to this town. It is easy enough to walk around although autos are available.
HOTELS IN MEDIKERI
Capitol Village, Hotel Coorg International, Hill Town Hotel,Hillyside Estate, Hotel Mayura Valley View, Rainforest Retreat, Serenity Cottage and Serenity Home Stay,Shanti Estate Bungalow.
BAGAMANDALA & TALACAVERY
Bagamandala, situated 36kms away from Madikeri is a comfortable day trip site at the confluence of the three revered rivers Cauvery, Sujyothi [flowing underground] and Kanike. There are a number of small shrines including the striking Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple . Largely influenced by Kerala architecture, it is a tranquil place with a copper-plated roof and elaborate carvings. 8kms ahead is another significant Hindu site the Talacauvery, from where the mighty Cauvery originates. There are 300 steps leading up from the spring that is the Cauvery's source to the summit of the Brahmagiri hill commanding a superb view of the entire Kodagu region. The Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary located here is however closed to public.
KUSHALNAGAR
A few kilometers from the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe in the upper reaches of the River Cauvery is the easternmost town of Kushalnagar in Kodagu. Kushalnagar is a small market town but is well serviced by buses to/from Mysore , Bangalore and Mangalore. It is a good place to base your self for visiting the Tibetan settlement and the other interesting sites nearby as detailed below. Should you decide to stay at Kushalnagar, there are a few small hotels and lodges available here for reasonable rents.
KCAUVERY NISARGADHAM
About 2kms from Kushalnagar is the Cauvery Nisargadham a small island reserve in the River Cauvery
accessed by a hanging bridge and consisting of bamboo thickets and trees including sandalwood. There are a variety of birds including parakeets, bee-eaters and woodpeckers. Tall bamboo tree houses are available for wildlife viewing, a deer park , facilities for paddle boating and a resident elephant are added attractions. The park is however; open only to day visitors from 9am to 5pm . You can stay at the Forest department cottages or charming wooden houses on the island, which can be booked at the office of the Conservator of Forests, Madikeri.
HARANGI DAM
Situated 9 kms from Kushalnagar is a large and impressive dam, which is an ideal place for picnics and short hikes. Permission will have to be taken from the PWD office at the entrance of the dam. It is well worth visiting and water sports activities will be operational here in the future. There are buses here from Kushalnagar, but autos from Kushalnagar easily access the dam.
DUBARE
15km south of Kushalnagar is the village of Dubare along the banks of the Cauvery. It is home to an interesting Elephant Camp where you can get to see training and domestication of elephants at close quarters. The best time to visit is between 6am and 7am and again between 4pm and 6pm when the elephants are taken to and from the forests. Dubare is well connected by bus from Kushalnagar and is also serviced by autos.
NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK
Situated 63kms from Madikeri is Nagarhole, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park . Once the favored hunting grounds of the Maharajas', this pleasantly cool reserve forest on the gentle hills
bordering Kerala between Mysore and Madikeri, covers an area of 643 sq km and was established in 1955. The lush green deciduous forest has plenty of bamboo, teak and rosewood and coffee plantations cover almost 15% of the park. Home to the many tribal people such as the Jena Kurumbas, the park is far quieter than others and is a great place to relax for a couple of days. The River Kabini, a tributary of the Cauvery flows through these forests and the wildlife here includes elephants, wild dogs, tigers, and leopards, barking deer, common langur apart from over250 species of birds.
Hiking inside the park is strictly forbidden and visitors are permitted to travel around only in the official tour bus. Tickets for entry are to be bought at the reception centre in the village of Nagarhole . The park is open to visitors from 6am to 5.30pm . There are a few excellent resorts and bungalows both private and government owned in and around the park, which offer rustic yet luxurious accommodation. However, Nagarhole is well connected by bus services from both Madikeri and Mysore . The best time to visit is during late summer between April and May although the most comfortable time is during winter, between November and February.
BILGIRI RANGASWAMY TEMPLE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Stretching over 540 sq km, this sanctuary located at 1350m above sea level among the Biligiri Rangana Hills is hard to reach, but cool and scenic. The best time to see wild life here is between the months of June to October, when the animals come out for water at the end of the dry season. There are wild elephants, sloth bear, barking deer, sambar and wild dogs apart from about 60 different species of birds. On the highest peak of the hills is the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple the focus of the Ratha Festival every year in April. Permits are required to enter the sanctuary, and these are easily obtained from the Forest Department office in Charnrajnagar [Tel: 08224-2059] if you are not staying at the Jungle Lodges & Resorts campsite. It is a wonderful place for trekking.
The BRT Sanctuary is about 90 Kms from Mysore via Chamrajanagar. There are a couple of direct buses from Mysore every day.
BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK
Established in 1931, the Bandipur National Park forms part of the Ni1giri Biosphere Reserve and is joined to the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. It is mainly pristine moist deciduous forest with over 50 species of trees and over 200 varieties of flowers. There are tigers, jackals, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild dogs, flying squirrels, including a large number of monkeys apart from wild elephants and over 200 different species of birds including the great Indian homed owls.
The best time to visit is between March and April although the most comfortable time is between November and February. Hiking is not permitted inside the park. Bandipur is very easy to reach, as there are regular buses here from Ooty and Mysore . There are a couple of luxury resorts located here apart from the KSTDC's Hotel Mayura although you can even come here for a day visit from Mysore about 80 krns away.
HASSAN,BELUR & HALEBID
The Hoysala temples at Halebid and Belur located 16 kms apart are very similar to the one at Somnatpur, east of Mysore . They are considered to be the best examples of Hindu architecture in India , with their sculptural decorations rivaling those of Khajurao and Konark Belur is located 157 krns from Mysore .
Unprepossessing Hassan,118 km northwest of Mysore,is visited in disproportionately large numbers because of its proximity to the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid,both northwest of the town, and the Jain pilgrimage site of Sravanabelgola to the southest.Set deep in the serene Karnatakan countryside,Belur,Halebid and Sravanabelgola are much more congenial places to stay.
SARAVANABELAGOLA
One of the most import centers of Jain pilgrimage, Sravanabelagola is located 90 krns from Mysore . It is the site of the huge 17m-high naked statue of Gomateshvara, the world's tallest monolithic statue.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR TOURS
We are pioneer travel agents and tour operators in field of travel and tourism in Karnataka handling tour packages, hotel reservations and travel itineraries for Heritage, Honeymoon Packages, Leisure Holidays… We also offer most ideal tour itineraries and package tours to explore Karnataka tourist destinations and finest hotels. Visit us at our site to chalk out your tour plan or write us… your choice of destination with travel period and budget for an exclusive and customized holiday to:halobackwaters@gmail.com
