14 Best places you should visit in Mysore
Mysore is an amazing city in Karnataka, the southern part of India. Mysore was once the capital of Karnataka. It is noted for its culture and heritage. The city receives hundreds of people every year during the Dussehra festival.
It is the pride of Karnataka with history, legends, monuments, educational centres, kings, palaces, museums, lakes, parks, literature, arts and abundant natural resources. The climate of Mysore is warm during the wet season and oppressive and overcast during the dry season.
The ideal time to travel is from October to February, i.e., when the temperature is mild and drops to 10 degrees C. You can also visit from March to May when it’s summer and enjoy the warmness.
This blog is all about the places of attractions of Mysore.
Places to visit in Mysore
Mysore Palace
Mysore palace is the best imposing architectural building in the country. Amazingly, the Palace was only built in the 20th century. It has Indo-Saracenic architecture with a blend of Gothic, Rajput, Hindu and Muslim styles. It is the most popular place to visit in Mysore. It attracts 2.7 million visitors every year. The incredible masterpiece, doorways and corridors are all intricate craftsmanship of the ancient era. The halls and pathways are all still a mystery for everyone. The Palace is richly decorated on the occasion of the Dussera festival. The 98,000 illuminated light bulbs are indeed a spectacular sight to watch.
Brindavan Garden
It is located just below the Krishna Raja Sagara dam. It is a significant tourist attraction for all. This place is also considered to be the most beautiful garden in Karnataka. You can experience the magical fountains in the evenings. The centrepiece is the enchanted fountain show, dressed up with lovely lighting and upbeat music. The cherry on top is fruit orchards and boat cruises. This beautiful sight is a memory to take back.
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden
Treat yourself and your family to paying a visit to the zoological garden. It is popularly known as Mysore zoo and is the home to many animals. Hundreds of students visit the zoo annually as part of their study tour. It now occupies 78 acres of space. This zoo features exotic creatures purchased from international zoos in addition to the animals that are native to our country. The zoo is one of the best locations to visit in Mysore if you’re there for a long weekend.
Sri Chamundeshwari temple
13 kilometres from Mysore are the Chamundi Hills, which are home to the exquisitely carved Chamundeshwari Temple. There are 1000 steps to climb to get to the temple. The temple’s architecture is distinctive and striking, with a seven-tier Gopuram and seven golden Kalashes at the top. The temple is devoted to Goddess Durga and features an eight-handed image of her. It can be found at the peak’s summit. You get a 360-degree view of the city with a shrine of the Goddess Durga; worshippers across the globe come here to seek her blessings.
Shuka Vana
Shuka Vana is among the one-of-a-kind tourist places in Mysore and is aimed to be a rehabilitation centre for birds established by Dr Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. This is a place for sightseeing and is home to more than 2000 birds. It is a 1-acre area with 450+ varied species of avifauna. The park, commonly known as Parrot Park, is a prominent area of Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram’s Avadhoota Datta Peetham. In addition to being a fantastic location for birding, it also acts as a rehabilitation facility for harmed, abandoned, orphaned, and mistreated birds.
Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden
This Bonsai garden is well known through the wide varieties of bonsai plants and is also regarded as one of the most peaceful places in Mysore. The garden is a trendy spot for families travelling with children. It offers an educational opportunity for kids to learn about the many Bonsai plant species. The park presently contains 450 miniature trees dispersed across 4 acres, all of which are these special dwarf trees. The little brook that runs through the garden emphasises its beauty, and the sculptures of Buddha and sacred monkeys scattered across the region add to its allure as a representative of the zen culture.
Karanji Lake
Karanji Lake is another extreme tourist attraction in this city. It lies at the foot of Chamundi hills. It was constructed by one of the kings of Mysore. It is the largest lake in Karnataka, with abundant natural beauty. Karanji Lake is the ideal place to take in the picturesque views of nature. Additionally, the largest walk-through aviary in India, which houses more than 70 species of birds, is another highlight of the lake.
GRS fantasy park
It is an essential destination for adults and kids. It has several rides, water as well as non-water. It is a one-stop destination that will occupy your entire day and make it a fun-filled experience. This fantastic fantasy park is a bridge between the modern and historical Mysore that we all know. You should not skip this location if you are in Mysore during the summer. Now include it in your travel plans!
St. Philomenas Church
Take a break from the adventures and visit this church for spirituality. Mysore is known for its majestic structures! St. Philomena Church, one of the biggest cathedrals in South Asia, is the next attraction on the list of the top sights to see in Mysore. The church’s construction plan is in the Gothic style. Below the main altar are catacombs in the church’s basement. Congregation Hall, Choir, and Transepts are located above the ends of a floor plan that is planned out in the shape of the Holy Cross. The famous historical events painted in the stained glass windows are from the time of Christ.
Jaganmohan art gallery and auditorium
It is home to the kings of Mysore and was established in 1861. It is one of the most important Mysore tourist places and is now an art gallery and a function hall. The gallery is one of the major tourist attractions in Mysore because it has one of the largest artefact collections in southern India. In the collection, there are about 2,000 paintings representing various painting techniques, including Shantiniketan and some Mysore works.
Chamundi Hills
Chamundi hills is 13 km away from Mysore. Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is located on top of this hill. A tour of the hill and the temple is perfect for sightseeing in the daytime. You get a 360-degree view of the place from the top of the hill. There are 1000 steps to climb up the hill.
Lalitha Mahal
Lalitha Mahal Palace, the second-largest Palace in Mysore, was built in 1921 and is located close to Chamundi Hills. Lalitha Mahal was built to serve as the only resting place for the former Viceroy of India and was modelled after St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. This white Palace was converted into a heritage hotel in 1974 and is now cared for by the Karnataka government. The Palace balcony, surrounded by expansive gardens, provides a breathtaking view of Mysore City to the front and Chamundi Hills to the left.
Railway museum
One of Mysore’s top attractions is undoubtedly the railway museum, which is the second largest after the one in Delhi. The first locomotives and steam engines are also displayed at the museum. Visitors are taken on a tour around the museum’s grounds by a miniature railway. The opulent journeys made by Mysore’s royal dynasties are also showcased in a part that includes dining halls, kitchens, and royal restrooms. Due to the abundance of exciting things nearby, kids adore this place. This is the best destination to visit with kids out of all the top tourist attractions in Mysore.
Devaraja market
Featuring over 300 shops, spread across 3 acres of land, Devaraja market is a heritage of Mysore. Fresh flower sales are featured in one part, while puja supplies are the sole focus of another. Along with jaggery, puffed rice, and coconut water, fresh fruits and vegetables are available here. The market complex has four entrances, and stores are grouped in three aisles down its whole length. Even if you do not want to purchase anything, visiting this location allows you to learn about local culture. Plenty of picturesque places here make it a colourful location ideal for photography.
Epilogue
Mysore is a spot of heritage and palaces. People visit this place at the time of Dussera when the whole city is lit up. It is one of the cleanest & beautiful cities in India, making it a great place to visit. The local cuisines and the street foods are things to explore and experience.
The magnificent architecture of Mysore witnessed the rule of many dynasties. It was once the capital of the Wodeyar Dynasty. Whether a honeymoon trip or a family trip, Mysore is one of the best destinations to visit in India.