“Mysore, it is believed, got its quaint name from Mahishasur-ooru” Explore the city of Mysore in India through this travel article.
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Author: JRai
Being IT professionals from Bangalore, one seldom finds time away from the routine humdrum and innumerable hours of travelling to the workplace. On one such weekend we planned to leave for the little quiet city of Mysore.
Mysore, it is believed, got its quaint name from Mahishasur-ooru. We planned our trip from Bangalore via the Tirupati-Mysore, fast passenger and had our tickets booked for the now almost extinct first class compartment. The train chugged along its destination at sharp 7.30 am and the route to Mysore via Srirangapatnam and other small yet clean stations were really refreshing. Indeed, we are one of the train lovers hence opted for a longer trip (often around 3-4 hours) as opposed to 2-3 hours via the Mysore Mallige buses plying between Bangalore and Mysore.
We enjoyed the train journey thoroughly munching our vadas and enjoying hot coffee and arrived at Mysore station at 10.45 am. It was a bit cloudy yet very nice to have a day trip around the beautiful and unbelievably clean city as compared to the crowded, traffic congested roads of Bangalore.
We could hear the birds chirping and finally the skies cleared and added to the beauty of the surroundings.
At the station, we hired an ITDC taxi and started our tour round the princely state of Mysore. Our first stop was the famous Mysore Palace which belonged to the Mysore Wadayar Kings. The elaborate structure is usually lighted up during Sundays and on special occasions with almost a lakh bulbs and looks splendid. The interiors are equally elaborate with murals of the Mutiny and other Dasara Processions (still held to this day).
One gets to feel the opulence of these kings of our yesteryears from these magnificent palaces. Mysore is full of such palaces such as the JagmohanPalace now home to the not-so-well-kept ArtGallery housing the famous original Ravi Varma Paintings left to their unkempt and sorry state. It is a pity that such invaluable and priceless masterpieces are kept with such disdain and disarray that many can be seen chipped at places.
But there are better things that Mysore can boast of, the Chamundi Hills with the ChamundeshwariTemple as the crowning glory. The trip up the hill is an exhilarating one with neat and winding roads. However, it becomes very crowded at the temple where one often has to pay a hefty special token of Rs 100 each to be able to view the deity goddess Chamundeswari (yet worth it). It is believed that Goddess Chamundeswari vanquished the demon king Mahishasura at this place and hence the name Chamundi Hills.
One can also shop for little religious knick knacks from the pavements outside the temple such as Shiva Lingams, nandis in stone and other items.
We were famished by the end of these two places and so decided to break for lunch at a nearby hotel called Pai Vista. When the taxi stopped at the valet provided hotel entrance, we were a bit sceptical as to whether the prices would be affordable but were surprised to find the food unexpectedly tasty and moderately priced. The best part was the ambience, the hotel resembled a forest complete with wild animals, trees and a pool too. There was a lot to enjoy for the adults such as the spa as well as for the kids. The food was terrific and so was the chicken, they say.
Our next stop was Srirangapatnam, where the Mysore conqueror, Tipu Sultan had his palace and Fort. Must mention, that travelling in Mysore especially so in a taxi is an awesome experience. Never before had I seen such wide and clean roads and highways in any of the Indian cities I have visited before and the salubrious climate added to the pleasure. However, the palace now in ruins was a disappointment. But we were astonished to see the Sri Ranganatha Swamitemple right inside the fort of the Muslim ruler. The sight of the river next to the fort is indeed charming yet unkempt.
The best part was the Sri Ranganatha temple which opens at 4 pm for the public and has a huge reclining idol of Lord Vishnu in black stone as well as that of his consort Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Tirupati too. The quaintness of the temple is another exciting aspect of visiting the temple.
The fort also houses the dungeon used by these rulers to keep their prisoners and one feels claustrophobic and eerie feeling inside these dungeons.
All this has left us a bit tired and we decided to proceed to our final haunt- the famous VrindavanGardens .TheGarden hosts a number of beautiful fountains and the sight of the Cauvery coming out of the dam gates in full fury is something to be experienced.
After 6.30, there is the wonderful musical fountain, (the music though could be a bit more vibrant and rhythmic than the usual sing song hit tracks.) Yet, the children enjoyed and dance to the music and the lighted fountains with much delight.
The day approached to an end and we called upon some of our friends to spend the night for an equally eventful the day after.
We relished a sumptuous breakfast at our friends of Idli, Sambhar,chutney and Poori subzi for the non idli eaters. The haunts for the day were Mysore Zoo and some shopping at the ArtGallery.
Our taxi was prompt in arriving and we soon reached the gates of the Mysore Zoo. With our entry tickets, we stepped into the zoo only to be received by the huge giraffes adorning the first gallery. The magnificent animals were striking and awesome.
I must mention that the Mysore Zoo is one of the best kept zoos in India. The animals were all in clean enclosures with plenty of space to move around unlike the Delhi Zoo where the animals almost looked jailed for some crime of theirs.
The Mysore Zoo also has a battery car service for those who opt not to walk although seeing the zoo on foot is more enjoyable. The African elephant, the Lion and other such animals were really exciting to watch. The whole path was clean and enjoyable.
We then moved to a small hotel nearby for a traditional Mysore meal without any frills yet very clean, delicious and reasonably light on the pockets. And headed to our journey back to the daily grind of Bangalore.
Mysore is by far, one of the best places to visit in the south of India . We would suggest anyone travelling to Bangalore to go on a weekend trip to Mysore and have a great time without lightening your purses much or any travelling issues.
Three Cheers for Mysore.
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