Mysore

Today's Mysore city was the capital of State of Mysore before India gained Independence. It was ruled by Tipu Sultan who was defeated by Britishers, Peshwa and Nizam.

Mysore has lots of places that are of interest to tourists. One can plan a quick tour of one day or even spend 3-4 days depending on the time in hand.

Dasara known by different names, Dussera, dasha-hara, which is celebrated throughout India, is the state-festival (naaDa habba) for Karnataka.
Dasara celebrated during Navaratri, symbolised due to the killing of Ravana by Lord Rama, is celebrated for 9/10 days with great pomp and show across the city of Mysore.

This festival of Dasara, which occurs during the month of September/October is also famous for the pooja of Goddess Durga, in the form of Goddess Chamundi. There is a tradition of displaying toys at home during the month of Ashwayuja, throughout the southern part of Karnataka.

The celebrations for Dasara start on the first day of the navaratri (first day of ashwayuja month) and continues till the final day of Vijaya dashami (which is marked as a token of memory for celebrating the victory of Rama). There are various cultural programmes held for all the 10 days across the length and breadth of Mysore city, including dance programmes like Bharatanatya, musical programmes like Hindustani and carnatic. The programmes start at 6 pm in the evening and sometimes continue for the whole of the night.

Musical stalwarts from across the globe have performed at the dasara festival celebrations at Mysore. The famous jugalbandi of Bhimsen Joshi and BalamuraliKrishna was immortalised here, for the first time.
An exhibition of arts and culture is also held in the ground opposite to the Mysore palace during the Dasara festival. There are also wrestling competitions held (known as Kusti spardhe) where wrestlers from all over India are invited.

The main attraction of the whole event, the golden howdah on top of elephants is held on the final day of Dasara, Vijaya dashami.

The tradition of the grand procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari in a golden howdah (golden ambaari) riding on top of the royally decorated elephant is said to be the most important event to be watched in the life of a person. The procession which starts afternoon circumbulates the palace and reaches the Banni Mantapa by evening.
Millions of people visit Mysore for getting a glimpse of the golden ambaari and goddess Chamundeshwari on top (aane ambaari).

This whole event has been going on since time immemorial. Earlier the king of Mysore used to follow the golden ambaari on top of another elephant, but the tradition has been stopped off late.

Mysore has a different kind of art and the different cultures.

Travelling to Mysore is easy. It is well connected by road and rail to all the major cities in India. Airport is under construction and proposed to be opened for airways before dasara festival of October 2009.The nearest airport is in Bangalore.

There are plenty of tourist places to visit around mysore.

Here are the some places:-
Shravanabelagola: is 83 kms from Mysore

Shravanabelagola is one of the most important places to visit in Karnataka. This historical centre located in Hassan district is famous for the 58 feet tall statue of Lord Gommateshwara or Bahubali. This is the most sacred place of visit for Jains.

melkote is 55 kms from Mysore

 Melkote is one of the holy places of Karnataka. It is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Kaveri valley.

Talakadu is 45kms from Mysore

Talakadu (Talakad) is a small town on the left bank of Kaveri river. Most part of Talakadu, which once had over 30 temples, is buried under sand.

Shivanasamudra is 65  kms from Mysore

Shivanasamudra offers adventure and serenity. The river Kaveri forms splits into two and drops over a cliff and joins again forming the island town of Shivanasamudra.

Bandipur National Park is 80 kms from Mysore

The Bandipur National Park is covered with a mix of deciduous forests, evergreen forests and scrub, which is provided by the waters of the Moyar River.

Biligiri Ranga Hills is 120 kms from Mysore

Another interesting getaway from Mysore for nature enthusiasts is the Biligiri Rangana Hills popularly known as the B.R.Hills. Though these hills are famous for the ancient temple on top of the hills, it is also home to a lesser-known wildlife sanctuary.

Dariya Daulat bagh is near Srirangapattana, around 14 kms from Mysore

Mysore is one of the most romantic cities in India. Though you dont find girls and boys hanging around (like in Bangalore) there are a lot of places in Mysore that are termed as very romantic by everybody.

There is a song by Hamsalekha

'koorokk kukkraLLI kere

tElakkaaranji kere...

love maaDi love maaDi love maaDi'

If you just want to just sit and talk with your loved one in a relaxed manner, you can go to KukkaraLLi lake

You can go to Kaaranji lake for boating

You have Manasa gangotri, the Mysore university's campus - made for romance

Be it Cafe Coffee Day or the road named after the romantic poet 'Kaalidaasa', all the places speak about love!!