Though in recent decades Mysore has grown into an IT hub it has not lost its importance as a historic locale.  It has remained a key attraction in India due to its longevity and fascinating history.

A bit of history

Yaduraya Wodeyar established the original royal dynasty in 1399. He ruled Mysore under the Vijayanagara Empire until 1423 and established the Mysore kingdom and Wadiyar dynasty.

The majority of Mysore’s economy remains tourism based, with royal historical sites becoming major attractions for travelers.

A typical travel itinerary

Mysore Palace is the most famous one of the many palaces contained in Mysore, and deserves to be at the top of the list. The palace (located in the  city center) has served as the main residence of the royal family as well as an office of Wadiyar Dynasty kings. It is the most visited heritage site after Taj Mahal.

Lalitha Mahal is located near the Chamundi hills and is the second largest palace in Mysore. Krishnraja Wadiyar IV, the then king of Mysore, built this palace in 1921 exclusively for the British Viceroy of India. This pure white stone palace is built in the Italian palazzo architectural style.

Jaganmohan Palace was an alternative palace for the Mysore royal family and housed them during a period when their wooden palace burnt into ashes. Since 1915 it has been used for Art Gallery Exhibitions and attracts art lovers from around the world

The Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is a heritage structure built by King Chamaraja Wadiyar for his eldest daughter Jayalakshmi. The mansion was acquired by the University of Mysore and is now used by students enrolled in post-graduate programs. A writer’s gallery has been built inside the mansion that houses the personal belongings and awards of renowned Kannada writers. It is the first of its kind university-museum-complex in India.

Chamundi Hills is famous among history buffs due to the historic Chamundeshwari Temple built in the 12th century. It is very popular among photographers and nature lovers because it provides a panoramic view of all the major palaces from its hilltop.

St. Philomena’s Church is also a special tourist stop.  The church was built in 1956 in honour of St. Philomena. The foundation stone of this Neo-Gothic church was placed by the Maharaja of Mysore on 28 October 1933. This is the most famous church in Mysore not only for Christians but history lovers of all religion.

The Oriental Research Institute is a library built in 1891 for Oriental studies. It is known for its large collection of manuscripts written on palm leaves. Visitors can view approximately 33,000 books that were written before the invention of paper.

Finally, no discussion of Mysore is complete without mentioning the Folk-Lore Museum.  While it is certainly true that the rail museum, wax museum and sand museum are also big tourist attractions true history buffs often make repeated visits to the folklore museum housed on the University of Mysore’s campus. Museum exhibits include ~6,500 ancient crafts and folk arts from different parts of Karnataka.

So the next time you’re thinking of making a trip overseas please include Mysore in your plans. Plan ahead and book hotel in Mysore. It is a truly beautiful city, one in which you’ll create your own memories of a lifetime!

Shift Frequency © 2017 – Mysore, A Very Popular Place for History Buffs