Mysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka. It is even acclaimed to be the 'Cultural Capital' of the state and is famous for its Dusshera Festival celebrations. The name of the city is the anglicized version of Mahishuru, the abode of 'Mahisha', the demon mentioned in Hindu mythology. The specialty of the city are said to be Mysore style of painting, sweet dish Pak and gorgeous silk saris. However, it does not lag behind in the travel and tourism domain and has a plethora of interesting places to offer to the tourists. It is primarily known as 'the City of Palaces' and has many royal structures within its boundaries.

Tourist Attractions

Mysore has a wealth of tourist attractions to offer. The primary attraction is the Mysore Palace, also known as Ambavilas Palace. It was the official residence and workplace of the former royal family of Mysore. It is an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The three storied structure is made of stone with gray granite and pink marble domes. The interesting structures within the palace are Diwan-e-Khas, Doll's Pavillion, Kalyana Mandapa, etc. The Someshvara and Lakshmiramana Temple are the two most visited shrines in the palace complex.

Brindavan Garden is another interesting place in the city. It is located adjacent to Krishnarajasagar Dam on the river Cauvery. Spread over an area of 60 acres, the garden has been laid out in 3 terraces, containing water fountains, foliage plants and flowering plants. However, the major attraction here is the musical fountain, which bursts water along with the tune of music. Visitors can also enjoy boating here. For people with a religious fervor, Chamundi Hills and Temple should not be missed.

As per the legend, Goddess Chamunda or Chamundeshwari killed the demon named Mahishasura here. Following this, the hill was named Chamundi and a temple was built atop. To reach the temple on the summit, devotees have to climb 1000 flight of stairs. The steps pass through the monolithic statue of Nandi, the Bull. The main shrine of the temple is the abode of an enchanting idol of the Goddess, made of solid gold. The entrance gates of the main chamber are made of silver. Huge celebrations take place at the time of Dusshera festival.

For a fun filled experience visit the Mysore Zoo. It is one of the oldest zoos in India and was established in 1892 by the royal patronage. The zoo is home to several exotic species of animals and visitors have a fun time exploring this place. Rail Museum is another such place which provides not only entertainment but also vital information about the ancient Indian Railway system. It was established in 1972 and displays vintage locomotives. The museum even has a mini train for children, taking them on a ride in the grounds.

Often termed as the 'hallmark' of the city, St. Philomena's Church is a striking structure in Mysore. Built in 1956, the church is dedicated to Saint Philomena and has been constructed in Neo Gothic style of architecture. For a more imperial experience you can also visit Jagmohan Palace. It was built in 1861 by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. It has now been converted into an art gallery named Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. It houses weapons of war, several musical instruments, sculptures, brassware, antiques coins and currencies.

How to Reach
By Air: Mysore does not have an airport of its own. However, the nearby city of Bangalore has an international airport, which is at a distance of 139 km. Thus, both domestic and foreign tourists can reach the place easily.

By Rail: Mysore has an excellent rail network. It has many trains running between the different cities of the country.

By Road: Lying on the state highway, makes it quite easy and convenient to reach Mysore by road. There is an excellent bus service by Karnataka Road Transport Corporation that plies regularly from here.