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About Mysuru

Mysuru is thought to have been named after the demon Mahishasura, who according to legend was slain here by the Goddess Durga. From 1400 A.D, Mysuru was the main city of the Hindu kings, the Wodeyars. The Wodeyars were under the Vijayanagar Empire till it collapsed in 1565 A.D, upon which they declared themselves independent. They ruled from Mysuru ever since, till in 1956 A.D the princely state joined the Republic of India. There was a brief interlude though in the 18th century with the power of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the ascendant, they could hardly resist this rich kingdom, only 15 kms from Srirangapatnam. However, on defeating Tipu, the British handed Mysuru back to the Wodeyar kings.

Habitat

Mysuru lies in the southern fringes of the Deccan Plateau at a height of 770 metres, 135 kilometres southwest of Bangalore. The River Cauvery flows close to the city but Mysuru is not actually on it’s banks. Just a little beyond Mysuru City one encounters the Western Ghats and sandalwood forests. There are minor hills within city limits, like the Chamundi Hill.

In earlier days one would be surrounded by natural beauty in Mysuru. It’s no longer as green and unspoilt as it was, but instead has become a bustling mid size Indian city with its fair share of three-wheeler auto rickshaws and smoke belching city buses. It has wide roads and is thankfully free of multi-storey concrete structures. The most important building in the city is the Mysuru Palace and no other structure comes even remotely close to it in beauty or grandeur.

Climate

Mysuru has a moderate climate. Summer day temperatures average at 30° C though some days may be as hot as 35° C. June is the warmest month. Winter is extremely comfortable, with day temperatures for December averaging 27° C. The average night temperatures are 20° C and 17° C for summer and winter respectively. Mysuru gets an average 86 centimetres of rain annually, most of it during the monsoon, which lasts from June to October.

History of Mysuru

Mysuru is 770 m above the sea level and 140 kms from the State Capital Bangalore, Mysuru is the erswhile Capital of the Wodeyar’s, the rulers of Mysuru State since the 14th Century with an exception of 40 years regime of hyder Ali & tippu Sultan.

Earlier in 10th Century, Mysuru was known as ” Mahisur “, the town where the buffalo headed Mahishasur was slain by Goddess Durga. Mysuru expands to ” Mahishasura Ouru “. It is Believed that during one of the wars between devils, demons on the one hand & God , Goddess on the other, mahishasura over powered Gods. Witnesing this Goddess Durga incarnated as the fierceful Chamundeshwari, cosequently killed Mahishasura atop the hill, from then on this hill is dedicated to Chamundeshwari and named as Chamundi Hill., situated at Eastern End of the Royal Family worshipped Goddess Chamundeshwari as the Palace deity. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this Victory over the evil. The Dasara Celebration is spread over 10 days during September- October even to this day. mysuru city is decorated colorfully,and hosts cultural events, like music, dance & darma. The finale is Dasara Procession including the famous Jamboosavari (The Golden Hawda). This Jamboo savari goes thriough the main throughfares of Mysore City and retreats at the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap. Mysore also associates with the Mahabharatha and King Ashoka of the 3rd Century BC.

Though the Wodeyars ruled Mysore as small chieftains much before 1399 AD,it’s only during 1399 Yaduraya founded this dynasty. From then onwards Mysore saw as many as 24 rulers till the year 1940. The 25th ruler of the Wodeyar Dynasty was Sri Jaya chamarajendra Wodeyar, whose kingdom was absorbed by the Democratic India and Monarchy was totally abolished. Even till this date the Prince His Highness Srikantadatta Wodeyar resides in private quarters at the Great Mysore Palace.

The Hyder Ali & Tippu Sultan’s regime was during 1761-1799. In the year 1799, the 1st war of Mysore was faught between Tippu Sultan and British, in which Tippu lost his life and his Kingdom to the Britishers. Afterwhich, Mysore was restored by the Wodeyars family.

Geographically Mysore city is approximately 11 square Kilometers. Mysore city known as city of Palaces has always kept upto the expectations of the tourists from all the world over, Mysore has a rich heritage, well-landscaped gardens, sacred temples & traditional customs. Mysore has aquired it’s place in the world map for it’s famous Dasara Celebrations, fine & exotic sandalwood carvings and inlay works, Mysore Silk Sarees, Mysore is also famous for Jasmine flower which is called as ” Mysooru Mallige ” and a savory named as ” Mysore Pak ” a sweet liked by one and all.

Most spoken language is Kannada, however Hindi, English & Urdu can also be easily conversed among the general public.Mysore is well connected by road, rail & air(restricted to personalize helipad services offered by some aviation agencies only).

Local buses autos or by a private taxi. Mysore has two Bus Stands, one catering as an Inter-State, Inter-District Bus Stand (KSRTC Suburban Bus Stand) and the other is local bus stand(City Bus Stand). While commuting by autorickshaws, it is adviceable to look out for an autorickshaw stand and board an auto. Pay only by the meter, travelling to the extention areas in an autorickshaw by night is difficult. During night the auto fare is 50% over the meter fare.some auto drivers may ask extra if your destination is in a remote area. Ensure you have proper change for short distance travel in autorickshaw, as the minimum fare for two kilometers is Rs30/-. the authorities have recently started a prepaid autorickshaw satnd in Railway Station to felicitate rail commuters.

Eating & Drinking Out

Usually Mysoreans relish on South Indian Dishes like Dosas,Idly, Vada Sambar, Bisi Belebath and a hot cuppa filtered coffee.barring a few speciality restaurants, there are such no speciality cuisines restaurants in Mysore city we find multi cuisine restaurants serving North Indian, Tandoori Chinese & Continental Cuisine. While you are at the one of the multi-cuisine restaurants, enquire for the dish of the day and feel safe. Usually all most all the restaurants serve filter water & you also could request for boiled water.

Sight Seeing

Look out for the daily trips organised by tour operators. Daily sight seeing trips include attactions like Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Mysore Zoological Gardens, Jaganmohan Palace, St. Phiomena’s Church, KRS Dam / Brindavan Gardens. there are other tourist attractions in and around Mysore City like Nanjangud also known as “Dakshina Kashi”, Srirangapatna, Rangantittu Bird Sanctury, Nagarahole National Park, Talakad, Belur Halebid, Sravanbelagola, hampi, Bandipur Wildlife Sanctury, Ooty, Bangalore, Talacauvery, Bhagmandala, Abbey Falls, Irappu Falls, Mangalore , Melakote, Goaplswamy Hills, Shivanasamudra. Kabini River Resorts., BR Hills, MM Hills, and a lots more……

Mysuru lies in the southern fringes of the Deccan Plateau at a height of 770 metres, 135 kilometres southwest of Bangalore. The River Cauvery flows close to the city but Mysuru is not actually on it’s banks. Just a little beyond Mysuru City one encounters the Western Ghats and sandalwood forests. There are minor hills within city limits, like the Chamundi Hill.

In earlier days one would be surrounded by natural beauty in Mysuru. It’s no longer as green and unspoilt as it was, but instead has become a bustling mid size Indian city with its fair share of three-wheeler auto rickshaws and smoke belching city buses. It has wide roads and is thankfully free of multi-storey concrete structures. The most important building in the city is the Mysuru Palace and no other structure comes even remotely close to it in beauty or grandeur.

Mysuru has a moderate climate. Summer day temperatures average at 30° C though some days may be as hot as 35° C. June is the warmest month. Winter is extremely comfortable, with day temperatures for December averaging 27° C. The average night temperatures are 20° C and 17° C for summer and winter respectively. Mysuru gets an average 86 centimetres of rain annually, most of it during the monsoon, which lasts from June to October.

Mysuru is 770 m above the sea level and 140 kms from the State Capital Bangalore, Mysuru is the erswhile Capital of the Wodeyar’s, the rulers of Mysuru State since the 14th Century with an exception of 40 years regime of hyder Ali & tippu Sultan.

Earlier in 10th Century, Mysuru was known as ” Mahisur “, the town where the buffalo headed Mahishasur was slain by Goddess Durga. Mysuru expands to ” Mahishasura Ouru “. It is Believed that during one of the wars between devils, demons on the one hand & God , Goddess on the other, mahishasura over powered Gods. Witnesing this Goddess Durga incarnated as the fierceful Chamundeshwari, cosequently killed Mahishasura atop the hill, from then on this hill is dedicated to Chamundeshwari and named as Chamundi Hill., situated at Eastern End of the Royal Family worshipped Goddess Chamundeshwari as the Palace deity. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this Victory over the evil. The Dasara Celebration is spread over 10 days during September- October even to this day. mysuru city is decorated colorfully,and hosts cultural events, like music, dance & darma. The finale is Dasara Procession including the famous Jamboosavari (The Golden Hawda). This Jamboo savari goes thriough the main throughfares of Mysore City and retreats at the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap. Mysore also associates with the Mahabharatha and King Ashoka of the 3rd Century BC.

Though the Wodeyars ruled Mysore as small chieftains much before 1399 AD,it’s only during 1399 Yaduraya founded this dynasty. From then onwards Mysore saw as many as 24 rulers till the year 1940. The 25th ruler of the Wodeyar Dynasty was Sri Jaya chamarajendra Wodeyar, whose kingdom was absorbed by the Democratic India and Monarchy was totally abolished. Even till this date the Prince His Highness Srikantadatta Wodeyar resides in private quarters at the Great Mysore Palace.

The Hyder Ali & Tippu Sultan’s regime was during 1761-1799. In the year 1799, the 1st war of Mysore was faught between Tippu Sultan and British, in which Tippu lost his life and his Kingdom to the Britishers. Afterwhich, Mysore was restored by the Wodeyars family.

Geographically Mysore city is approximately 11 square Kilometers. Mysore city known as city of Palaces has always kept upto the expectations of the tourists from all the world over, Mysore has a rich heritage, well-landscaped gardens, sacred temples & traditional customs. Mysore has aquired it’s place in the world map for it’s famous Dasara Celebrations, fine & exotic sandalwood carvings and inlay works, Mysore Silk Sarees, Mysore is also famous for Jasmine flower which is called as ” Mysooru Mallige ” and a savory named as ” Mysore Pak ” a sweet liked by one and all.

Most spoken language is Kannada, however Hindi, English & Urdu can also be easily conversed among the general public.Mysore is well connected by road, rail & air(restricted to personalize helipad services offered by some aviation agencies only).

Local buses autos or by a private taxi. Mysore has two Bus Stands, one catering as an Inter-State, Inter-District Bus Stand (KSRTC Suburban Bus Stand) and the other is local bus stand(City Bus Stand). While commuting by autorickshaws, it is adviceable to look out for an autorickshaw stand and board an auto. Pay only by the meter, travelling to the extention areas in an autorickshaw by night is difficult. During night the auto fare is 50% over the meter fare.some auto drivers may ask extra if your destination is in a remote area. Ensure you have proper change for short distance travel in autorickshaw, as the minimum fare for two kilometers is Rs30/-. the authorities have recently started a prepaid autorickshaw satnd in Railway Station to felicitate rail commuters.

Usually Mysoreans relish on South Indian Dishes like Dosas,Idly, Vada Sambar, Bisi Belebath and a hot cuppa filtered coffee.barring a few speciality restaurants, there are such no speciality cuisines restaurants in Mysore city we find multi cuisine restaurants serving North Indian, Tandoori Chinese & Continental Cuisine. While you are at the one of the multi-cuisine restaurants, enquire for the dish of the day and feel safe. Usually all most all the restaurants serve filter water & you also could request for boiled water.

Look out for the daily trips organised by tour operators. Daily sight seeing trips include attactions like Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Mysore Zoological Gardens, Jaganmohan Palace, St. Phiomena’s Church, KRS Dam / Brindavan Gardens. there are other tourist attractions in and around Mysore City like Nanjangud also known as “Dakshina Kashi”, Srirangapatna, Rangantittu Bird Sanctury, Nagarahole National Park, Talakad, Belur Halebid, Sravanbelagola, hampi, Bandipur Wildlife Sanctury, Ooty, Bangalore, Talacauvery, Bhagmandala, Abbey Falls, Irappu Falls, Mangalore , Melakote, Goaplswamy Hills, Shivanasamudra. Kabini River Resorts., BR Hills, MM Hills, and a lots more……

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