20 Wonderful Places To Visit When You’re In Mysore

Situated in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, Mysore city is a must-visit destination on any travellers bucket list. There are many places to visit in Mysore, among fertile fields and bordered off by wooded hills. Mysore (officially known as “Mysuru”) is approximately 138 km Karnataka’s capital city, Bangalore.

The city was once the capital of the Wodeyars; initially the governors of Southern Karnataka under the Vijayanagara kings, they rose to become the Maharajas of Mysore in their own right. Mysore is famous for its rich cultural heritage and is notable for its unique ivory work and silk-weaving. One can revisit the history of the city through its ancient architectural sites and temples.

Here’s A List Of Places To Visit In Mysore

Mysore Palace

Situated in the heart of the city, the magnificent Mysore palace (also known as the Amba Vilas Palace) is a feast to one’s eye. It is a treasure house of exemplary carvings. It holds works of art from different corners of the world. Built for the then rulers of Mysore, the Wodeyar Kings, it is in an Indo-Saracenic Architectural style of construction, with distinct and intricate patterns on domes, turrets, colonnades, and arches.

The palace was designed by Henry Irving in 1897. During the festivals and weekends, the palace is lit in the evenings with thousands of light bulbs, enlivening the stern grey exterior of the ancient building, bringing quite a view to the onlookers.

A statue of King Krishnaraja Wodeyar is placed near the north-western corner of the Amba Vilas Palace. This corner is now famously known as the Krishnaraja Circle.

• Entrance Fee: ₹100 (Indian) and ₹200 (foreigners)
• Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Also Read: Why visiting Mysore Palace should be on your bucket list

Sri Chamundeshwari Temple

Another must-visit landmark in Mysore city is the Chamundi Temple. The temple lies at the summit of the hill named after it, Chamundi Hill. You can find this situated in the southeastern side of the Mysore city. The temple is home to a beautifully decorated idol of goddess Chamundeshwari, the family deity of the Wodeyar Kings.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 7:30 am – 9:00 pm

Nandi Monolith

About, halfway up the famous Chamundi Hill, one can find the humongous Nandi Monolith. According to Hindu mythology, the bull Nandi was the gate-guardian diety of Kailash, home to Lord Shiva. The statue dates back to 1659 and is said to be carved out of a single boulder. The Nandi monolith is 7.5 m long and 5 m high.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 7:30 am – 9:00 pm

Also Read: 30 Fascinating Things To Do In Bangalore

Mahishasura Statue

Also near Chamundi Hill is the massive statue of the demon Mahishasura. The story goes that the Goddess Chamundeshwari slayed the demon Mahishasura in battle, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The statue has a furious expression on his face, and he stands upright with a sword in one hand and a cobra in the other.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 7:30 am – 9:00 pm

Lalitha Mahal Palace

This imposing structure is located on the way to Chamundi Hill. Lalitha Mahal Palace was built in 1921 and is the second-largest palace in Mysore. Its design is inspired by St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV had it built or the stay of the then Viceroy of India. The palace was converted into a heritage hotel in 1974

• Entrance Fee: ₹100
• Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm

St. Philomena’s Church

A short distance away from the central Sayyaji Rao Road in Mysore stands the picturesque St. Philomena’s Cathedral. Known to be the second tallest church in Asia, the cathedral has a wonderful stained glass interior. Completed in the year 1959, it is built in a Neo-Gothic architectural style. You can also visit the nearby Government House, which was the seat of the British Residents that dates back to 1805.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 5:00 am – 6:00 pm

Folklore Museum

Housed in the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion (that was built in 1905 for the eldest daughter of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar), the Folklore Museum houses an ethnographic collection of South Indian puppets, toys and household objects, as well as chariots.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Jagan Mohan Palace

To the west of the Amba Vilas Palace, is the Jagan Mohan Palace. Built in the year 1902, to mark the coronation of King Krishnaraja III, it follows the Neo-Classical style.

It now houses the Chamarajendra Art Gallery, and has an interesting array of artefacts, including old-fashioned furniture, antique musical instruments, ivory, and ceramics. The first floor of the building houses magnificent paintings by the renowned artist of the 19th century, Raja Ravi Verma.

• Entrance Fee: ₹20
• Visiting Hours:10:30 am – 5:30 pm

Mysore Zoo

The Mysore Zoo, also known as the “Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden” is one of the major tourist attractions in Mysore. Founded by Maharaja Chamarajendra Wodeyar in the year 1892, the Mysore Zoo houses many species of wildlife, such as lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, birds and many more. The zoo is often very crowded during the weekends and around festivals, as it is an ideal spot to take the kids.

• Entrance Fee: ₹100 Adults, ₹50 Children
• Visiting Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

Krishna Raja Sagara

Krishna Raja Sagara, popularly known as KRS, is a lake just outside Mysore that is created by an attached dam. It was designed by the Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the Chief Engineer of Mysore, and construction began in 1911. The dam was completed in 1938 and is known for its 48 automatic gates. Attached to it are the ornamental Brindavan Gardens

• Entrance Fee: ₹15 (combined with Brindavan Gardens)
• Visiting Hours: 6:30 am – 9:00 pm

Brindavan Garden

The popular Brindavan Gardens, adjoining the Krishnarajasagara Dam, is known for its wonderful gardens filled with numerous species of plants and flowers. Completed in 1932, it is also known for its musical fountain, where bursts of water are synchronised to the music of popular songs.

• Entrance Fee: ₹15 (combined with Krishnaraja Sagara)
• Visiting Hours: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Musical Fountain Timings: 06:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Regional Museum of Natural History

Opened in 1995 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, this museum is located on the banks of Karanji Lake. It has various exhibits plants, animals and geology of from Southern India. They depict the ecological interrelationship among plants and animals and promote the conservation of nature and natural resources.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed on Monday)

Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden

The Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden is known for its large collection of miniaturized bonsai trees and for rare medicinal herbs fill this garden. It is a part of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham founded by the guru Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji.

• Entrance Fee: ₹25
• Visiting Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Mysore Dussera Exhibition

The widely celebrated Hindu festival of Dussehra ia also the state festival of Karnataka. It marks the victory of good over evil, and it takes place over ten days between the months of September and October each year. The tenth day of the festival, Vijayadashami, is meant to be when goddess Chamundi killed the demon Mahishasura.

The Amba Vilas Palace brightly is illuminated with thousands of lights, and many cultural programs are held in front of the palace. During this period, one can also visit the Dasara Exhibition, held in a ground opposite to the Mysore Palace, where various stalls sell toys, clothes, and food.

Also Read: Celebrate The Triumph Of Good Over Evil With These Dussehra Destinations

The Clock Towers

Near Mysore’s KR Circle are two famous clock towers knows as the “Big Clock Tower” or (Doddagadiyara) and the “Little Clock Tower” or (Chikkagadiyara). The Big Clock Tower was built in 1927 to commemorate 25 years of the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, while the Small Clock Tower (also known as the Dufferin Clock Tower) was built in 1886 to honour Lord Dufferin, the then Viceroy of India.

Railway Museum

Another favourite tourist destination is the Railway Museum. Established in 1979 by Indian Railways, it is filled with locomotives on display, as well as a gallery of photographs and paintings connected to trains. There is also a battery-operated mini-train, plus two gorgeous coaches that once belonged to the rulers of Mysore.

• Entrance Fee: ₹50 Adults, ₹20 Children
• Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

R. K. Narayan Museum

The erstwhile home of famous author R. K. Narayan, it is now a museum. Here you can see where Narayan spent his time writing from the 50s. The house and the surrounding area was purchased by a real estate company in 2016, and scheduled to be razed, but citizens groups and the Mysore City Corporation stepped in and bought the property, converting it to a museum.

• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Yoga Centers

For the Yoga lovers out there, Mysore offers several destinations. The Ashtanga Yoga Institute and the Mysore Mandala Yoga are the prominent ones.

Others

Some of the other lesser-known places to visit in Mysore that might trigger your interest are places like Shuka Vana, Balmuri Falls, Daria Daulat Bagh, Rajendra Vilas, Tipu’s Fort, Gun House, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Planet Earth Aquarium, Scott’s Bungalow, Jama Masjid, Kuppanna Park, GRS Fantasy Park, and Karanji Lake.

Also Read: 30 Exciting Places to See in Chennai

Have you been to any other place in Mysore that needs mentioning? If yes, do share your experience below in the comment section!

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