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Brindavan Gardens
The world famous Brindavan terrace garden is 16 Kms to the north of Mysore city. This popular picnic spot was laid out below the Krishnarajasagar Dam by Krishnaraja Wodeyar. Three times a week the numerous fountains are illuminated with multi-coloured lights. These musical fountains and colourful lights turn this place into an enchanting fairyland in the evenings. This is the most sought after destination for tourists visiting Mysore.
The Rangana Tittu bird sanctuary
The Rangana Tittu bird sanctuary is situated midway between Mysore and Sriranganapattna. This bird sanctuary is popular among tourists because it is a unique experience to go bird watching on tiny boats, as there is a network of rivulets running through the sanctuary.
Jagan Mohana Palace - Chamarajendra Art Gallery
Jagan Mohana Palace popularly known as the Jayachamaraja art gallery. This art gallery has ancient paintings and artifacts that are centuries old.
The Jagmohan Palace, built in 1902 to mark the coronation ceremony of Krishnaraja III, now houses the Chamarajendra Art Gallery. It houses an interesting collection of disparate objects including antique furniture, musical instruments, ceramics and ivory. On the top floor, there is a splendid collection of musical instruments as well as magnificent paintings by the renowned 19th century artist Raja Ravi Verma of Kerala.
Mysore Palace
The Mahrajah's Palace is a magnificent three-storied structure with a five-storey tower designed by the English architect Henry Irwin, built out of local material. The colourful Dasara procession starts from the precincts of the Palace. The famous Mysore palace also known as the Amba Villas Palace is one of the largest palaces in the country. The palace was originally built of wood, which got burnt down in 1897 and was rebuilt in 1912. Henry Irwin, the architect of the Viceregal Lodge at Shimla, designed the Mysore Palace. It is a healthy combination of Dravidian, Indo-Sarcenic, Oriental and Roman styles. Once the residence of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore, this imperial palace is one of the largest in the country. It is managed by the Department of Archaeology and Museums of the Government of Karnataka. It is beautifully restored and maintained,
The Mysore Palace is a splendid affair and a must-see for any kind of tourist. With its numerous domes, towers and battlements, it is sheer luxury in the form of a palace. The intricate carvings on the huge palatial doors should not be missed on any account. The Brindavan gardens, with its musical fountain and the Krishna Raja Sagar dam attached to it, should also be on the itinerary of every tourist. Quite a few films have used the gardens as their setting.
Chamundi hills - Chamundeshwari Temple
The Chamundi hills are most famous for the Chamundeshwari temple, situated on top of it. The temple is an architectural wonder and contains a spectacular idol of the Goddess inside. A huge Nandi statue stands guard to the temple. The hill is also home to a wide variety of wild-life. However, be prepared for a long, long climb. The view from the top is worth the climb, though.
Built in 17th century by the Wodeyars, it houses a beautifully decorated idol of Chamundeswari. The temple premises provide picturesque view of the surrounding atmosphere
Mysore Zoo
The Mysore Zoo is home to an unbelievable number of species; it would require a whole day for a tourist to see them all. The infrastructure and facilities of the zoo are excellent and several breeding programs have been successfully launched there. Some of the species present here include the Royal Bengal Tiger, white tiger, the Himalayan black bear, the white peacock, the African rhino, giraffes, hippos and much more.
St Philomena's Church
In the heart of Mysore city, near the Government House stands an 18th century old monument – the Cathedral of St. Philomena. Decorated with a stained-glass interior, it is a symbol of Neo-Gothic architecture.
Ranganathaswamy Temple
Ranganathaswami temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is one of the architectural marvels of south India. The temple in the sleeping posture on the Great Snake Anantha is a beautiful example for both Vijayanagara and Hoysala Styles of Architecture.
Amba Vilas Palace
Mysore is a beautiful city full of elegant public buildings erected under the Wodeyar rulers. The most delightful is the Amba Vilas Palace situated on the heart of the city. To its west is the Jagmohan Palace, constructed to mark the coronation ceremony of Krishnaraja III. Near the northwestern corner of the Amba Vilas Palace is Krishnaraja circle where a statue of Krishnaraja Wodeyar stands beneath a pavilion. The Shaayaji Rao Road that leads out from this circle is the principal shopping centre of the town.
Manasa Gangotri
The western part of the city houses Manasa Gangotri the campus of Mysore University. There are two most visited sites the Oriental Research Institute (ORI) and the Folklore Museum. The ORI houses a collection of Sanskrit manuscripts, while the Folklore museum has one most important ethnographic collection of South Indian toys, puppets, and household objects as well as two wooden chariots. Don’t miss these sites while you are at Mysore.
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological garden
A wild paradise for animals in captivity was established in 19th century under the patronage of the then King, houses many endangered species. Also known as Mysore Zoo, it entertains large number of visitors to Mysore and gives them the opportunity to observe the animals in their natural habitat. The zoo has a man made island, created in the Karanji Lake and converted into mini sanctuary for birds. Boating facilities are available.
The zoo is at a distance of about 3 km from the City Bus Stand and 2 km from the Mysore Palace. It is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on all days except Tuesday.
Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna
Srirangapattana or Srirangapatna is a small town of historic, religious and cultural importance located 13 kms away from Mysore city. Known to the British as Seringapatam, this island fortress in the Kaveri River enjoys some historic significance as the site of the battle between the British and Tipu Sultan, the “Tiger of Mysore”. The British finally killed Tipu Sultan and captured the city in 1799. The town had a polygonal bastion, constructed by the French engineers, appointed by Tipu. Today none of the structures within the fort survive except the bathing ghats and the ramparts. The temples, mosques and palaces are worth seeing here.
Sri Ranganatha Temple
The Ranganatha Temple, after which the island is named, is a large complex that was subsequently restored in the 19th century. The inner sanctum houses the image of the reclining Vishnu and can be approached through pillared halls and an open courtyard with a gilded lamp column. The temple’s architecture is magnificent that resembles the architecture of South India.
Jami Masjid
On the eastern end of the fort is the Jami Masjid, erected by Tipu Sultan in 1787. It has an elevated prayer hall with tall minaret on either side.
Daria Daulat Bagh
Daria Daulat Bagh is the summer palace of Tipu Sultan – the Tiger of Mysore. The palace built in 1787, stands in the middle of a beautiful garden near the river, a short distance south of the fort. The whole palace is encompassed by a pillared verandah. The carved woodworks and elegant painted floral designs on the wall reveal Mughal power. The palace now houses a museum with paintings, maps and Tipu memorabilia on display.
Gumbaz
To the south of Daria Daulat Bagh is the Gumbaz, the tombs of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The walls of the chambers are decorated with the tiger-strips motif favoured by Tipu. The Viceroy, Lord Dalhousie in 1855 had gifted ebony and ivory doors to this extraordinary monument.
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