AIR
Mysore does not have an airport, the nearest one is at Bangalore (140 km). However, Mysore has an IA counter next to Hotel Mayura Hoysala. IA and Jet have flights connecting Bangalore to all major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Goa and more. International flights to and from the Middle East operate from Bangalore as well.

RAIL
Yet again the best route to connect to Mysore by rail is via Bangalore. Bangalore has four express trains daily to and from Mysore. The Shatabdi Express connects Mysore with Chennai. Railway Station: Located on J L B Road, northwest of the city centre, 1 km from the main shopping area on Sayaji Rao Road.

ROAD
Connected by state highways, which in turn connect to national highways leading to and from all major cities in the country. Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and private bus corporations operate deluxe and regular buses to and from Srirangapattana (15 km), Somnathpur (35 km), Bandipur (80 km), Nagarhole (96 km) and Bangalore (140 km).

Central Bus Stand
Located on the Mysore-Bangalore road, northeast of the city centre.

CLIMATE
A moderate climate ensuring pleasant weather throughout the year. The summer maximum and minimum temperatures are 33°C and 21°C, while the winter high and low are 28°C and 18°C.

STD CODE
0821

Population
7,42,261

Ethnic Groups
Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%

Languages
Kannada, English, Tamil, Hindi

Chamundeswari Temple
Over 1,000 steps lead to the entrance of the temple, which sits atop the historic Chamundi Hills. The 40-m high gopuram stretching to seven storeys is the focal point of the temple. The temple deity ? also the family deity of the royal family of Mysore ? is an incarnation of Durga, who as Chamundi slayed the evil Mahisasura, after whom the city is named. It is a steep climb to the top but well worth it as you have an unparalleled view of the city. About halfway up the hill is the famous 5-m high Nandi monolith (Shiva s bull) carved out of a single boulder in 17th century.

Devaraja Fruit and Vegetable Market
Typically Indian, a palate of colour, people, animals, smells and sounds. Stretching all the way through Sayaji Road, this market is a great place to view the local life and people, and also makes a great subject for photographs.

Jaganmohan Palace & Art Gallery
A storehouse of state and personal memorabilia of the Wodeyars. The gallery has a good collection of art works by Raja Ravi Varma and a collection of rare musical instruments. The palace was built in 1861 and was used as an auditorium by the royal family.

Mysore Zoo
Spread over 200 acres amidst slightly dry but well maintained gardens, the zoo is one of the oldest in India. The spacious enclosures house tigers (both white and the Royal Bengal), primates, elephants, bears, rhinos and a variety of birds.

Folklore Museum
Is situated on the Mysore University Campus, northeast of the city centre. Contains exquisite exhibits from rural areas. Interesting items are typical wooden houses, masks, leather puppets, ceremonial dresses and more. The museum, though compact, gives the visitor a comprehensive idea about villages of Karnataka.

Mysore Palace
Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes turrets, arches and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of carvings and works of art from all over the world. The tastefully decorated and intricately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms. The palace has now been converted into a museum, which houses souvenirs, paintings, jewellery, royal costumes and other possessions of the Wodeyars dynasty. The Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many carved pillars, which are said to have been brushed with gold. The walls of the palace have been painted with pictures of the Dussera processions. The perspective of these paintings gives you the impression of the procession coming towards you wherever you might be standing.

Brindavan Gardens
The world famous Brindavan Gardens are located 19-km northwest of Mysore city, on the terrace of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam. It is one of the first dams built in the country. Just below the dam the beautiful gardens are laid on either side of big artificial lakes named the South-North yards. The musical fountain is of special interest; it presents a spectacular harmony of water, colours and music. There are varieties of fountains illuminated at night by colourful lights. Every evening the gardens come alive in a burst of colours. The illuminated twirling and dancing fountains lend an atmosphere of enchantment to this fairyland.

Daria Daulat
Daria Daulat, Tipu Sultan s summer palace, is about a kilometre from Srirangapattana. The manicured lawns and splendid palace recall an era of wealth, pomp, and luxury. Built in 1784 in an Indo-Saracenic style, it is now a museum, which houses murals of Tipu s battles, as well as portraits of the entire Tipu Sultan clan. The dungeons where Tipu held British soldiers are still intact, as are large rusty cannons and Tipu s racket court.

Srirangapattana
Situated 15 km from Mysore, adjacent to the Bangalore highway, lies Srirangapattana or Seringapatnam as known by the British. Was the headquarters of the Wodeyars and later the stronghold of Tipu Sultan. Though the British destroyed a majority of the interiors, the exterior, ramparts and the bridges remain intact. The Water Gate marks the place where Tipu Sultan was killed. There are several religious monuments within the premises that are still in use, noteworthy among these being the Sri Ranganatha Temple and the Jami Mosque.

Somnathpur
Located 35 km from Mysore, with the famed Keshava Temple, which is a splendid example of Hoysala architecture. It was constructed in 1268 by Somnatha ? a general in the army of the Hoysala ruler, Narasimha III. The shrines are laid in a star formation set in a rectangular courtyard. Though all the cravings are exquisite, the outstanding ones are that of Lakshmi-Vishnu on Garuda, Indra-Sachi on an elephant and a dancing Ganesha.

Talkad
Was the capital city of the Gangas ? the rulers of Karnataka from the fifth to the tenth century. Is 45 km from Mysore via Tirumakudal Narsipur. Most of the temples/ structures are partially buried under the sand. However, the Pataleshvara, Vaidyeshvara and Kirti Narayan temples are worth visiting.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary
Is situated on the slopes of the Nilgiris, 80 km from Mysore, covering an area of 874 sq km of lush deciduous forests. Was established in 1931 by a Wodeyar ruler and has a substantial population of elephants, bears, sambhar and bison. Tigers and leopards are few, hence rarely seen. The Forest Department offers jeep, van and elephant safaris to traverse the jungle and reach the viewing towers set at strategic locations.

Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary Yet another reserve of the Wodeyar rulers, 96 km from Mysore. It is situated on the rolling hills bordering Kerala, spread over an area of 570 sq km with the Kabini River flowing through. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna, particularly the spotted deer, wild boar, elephant, sambhar, bison and tiger. Jeeps alongwith the services of a guide are available, courtesy the Forest Department.