Mysore is an inspired mosaic of ornate places . garden , boulevards  and planned markets, the  legacy that it inspired  the works of Kannada’s greatest writers from Kuvempu to Ananthamurhy and English most durable one RK Narayan. From the clock tower to the station to schoolboys with satchels gawking at the big cats in Mysore Zoo, everywhere you will see the magic of malgudi come alive for Malgudi too, was made in Mysore.

Mysore palace

The focal point of the city.s meticulous planning the city signature and the home of the Wodeyars was designed  by the English architect Henry Irwin. Built on the ashes of the old wooden places ( which caught fire during the marriage of Princess  jayalalakshammanni   in February 1897 ) between  1897 and 1912 , this palace exudesa grandeur that is unmatched. The Durbar Hall with its ornate and sculpted pillars, the Kalyana Mantapa the jewel encrusted  Golden Throne ( displayed only during the Dasara Celebration. ) and the  Gulden Howdah are amongst the palace’s  other treasures. The walled palace Complex also house a Rdsidential Museum, run by the scion of the erstwhile royal family Srikantadutta Wodeyar, temples and shrines the museum has maintained a royal collection of silver ware chandeliers and furniture, crystal. Royal trousseaux and much  more.

Ornate as the place is in its royal purple garb, when it is illuminated you have to be there to believe how it feels to see it when 97.000 electric bulbs light up at once. You most take your shoes off to enter the palace and there’s a stand right by the entrance gate where  you can safely store them, plus your camera ( Rs 5 ) which isn’t allowed inside.

Entry fee Adults Rs 15. children Rs 5.

Timings 10 am to 5-30 pm palace all day for temple.

Jaganmohan palace

Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar built the beautiful Jaganmohan palace  in 1861 as an alternative retreat for the royal family. The stained glass window shutters  are among the surviving original features of the interior of the  hall which  at one time had a bridge like platform slung across for the royalty to view stage performances at the other end. The palace has housed the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. Since 1915 which displays fabulous  painting of Mysore and Tanjore  style. Sculptures and musical instruments. The collections include works by  Travancore  ruler Raja Ravi  Varma and  the Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich. Jaganmohan palace  is at walking distance from the city bus stand at KR Circle.

Entry fee adults  Rs 15. children up to 10 years Rs 8. no photography allowed

Timings 8-30 am to 5-30 pm.

Sri Jayachamarajendra Zoo   

Mysore boasts one of the best Zoos in the country with a large collection of rare animals like tapir. Chimpanzee, Giraffe, Zebra, and  white tiger. You need at least two full hours to visit  all corners Zoo. For those who cannot walk much, take the tarm, which for a nominal fee drives you through the zoo grounds.

Entry fee – adult  Rs 15. children Rs 5.

Camera fee – still camera  Rs 10. video camera Rs 150.

Timings – 8-30 am to 5-30 pm.

Chamundi Hills

Mysore gets its name from Mahishasurana Ooru and the hill that guards the city  capped by the 11^th century temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari Mahishasura is the symbol of Mysore. As you negotiate the last bend on reaching the top of Chamundi Hill the looming statue of demon mahishasura  springs into view. The strong – bodied can climb the 1,000 steps to the temple. Halfway up is a  16 ft moonlight of a nandi bull, lord Shiva’s mount. But don,t venture here after dark, as it gets pretty lonely and unsafe. If you are looking for  a since  drive, try the Subbarao Road wich branches out at the 5^th Km mark on hills with the Ooty highway and has been kept a well –guarded secret even from locals. From the city Bus stand, drive towards  Nazarabad. Past the Race Course and Sports Club till you reach a circle. Follow  the road on the right which after a while starts to climb up Chamundi Hill. Continue further  past the deviation for the Nandi Bull which you can visit on the way down. En route stop for fantastic views of Mysore the shimmering white Lalitha Mahal Palace sitting in a sea of green to your east, the stately royal purple of the palace and the chocolate brown silhouette of St Philomena’s Church dead north.