Majestic Mysore

Mysore is a beautiful and cultured city of Karnataka state in south India. Mysore is well connected by road and rail transportation. It is located about 150 KM from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. Mysore is mostly famous for its heritage sights, the palaces and the Brindavan gardens, food specialties and silk sarees.

In our two days of stay in Mysore, on first day we visited Mysore Palace. Please read my post: Magnificent Mysore Palace to know everything about it. 

On the second day we opted for the day tour from a private bus operator. If you are here in vacation period, I would suggest to hire personal taxi for sight-seeing, as because of the rush, it becomes difficult to see each place in limited time.

The Jaganmohan palace, was formally the retreat of the Royal family of Mysore, when the Mysore palace was under construction. This palace is now Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and open for public. The gallery exhibits many original paintings created by Raja Ravi Verma and other famous painters. Also there are weapons of war, musical instruments, sculptures, antique coins, paintings made on a grain of rice, and many more things.

The Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore

The Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens famous as Mysore Zoo is a must see place at Mysore. This is well maintained, well managed zoo and the home of a lot of wild animals, various big and small birds, Reptiles, and many other species. The entry fee is 25/- for adult and 10/- for children. It takes around 2 hours to see the whole zoo. Electric car is available to hire.

The Lion at Mysore Zoo, Mysore

The Giraffe at Mysore Zoo, Mysore 

Chamudi Hills are located at the east of the Mysore city, about 12 KM away and famous for Chamundeshwari devi temple. The top of the hills gives a magnificent panoramic view of the Mysore city and Karanji lake. The Chamundeshwari temple is really beautiful and there is also a statue of huge Nandi (bull) 5m tall and 7.5m length.

Statue of Mahishasura at Chamundi Hills, Mysore 

Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

St. Philomena's Church is a beautiful catholic church, situated in the center of the city. Famous for its German architectural design, the church's basement consists a tomb of Martyr St. Philomena. The church was constructed in 1936, by the Maharaja of Mysore.

St. Philomena's Church, Mysore

The second most famous place at Mysore are the Brindavan Gardens. It is located about 22 KMs north from Mysore city on Krishnarajasagara dam of the river Kaveri. There is a north garden and a south garden, a walk way constructed over the river between the two gardens. Both the gardens are unique in design and have lots of colorful flower plants, trees, fountains, etc. This garden is also famous for musical fountains, show timing is 7 PM. 

Fountains at Brindavan Gardens

The Royal Orchid Hotel at Brindavan Gardens

Krishnarajsagara Dam View, Brindavan Gardens

Shrirangpatna the historic and cultural town, is a great half day excursion and can be arranged with Brindavan gardens as they are on the same direction from Mysore.

Tipu Sultan Monument, Shrirangpatna

Mysore is famous for Silk sarees, there are many nice show rooms for that. Also do not miss to try famous Mysore Dosa and sweet Mysore pak. 

Magnificent Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace, Mysore

The Amba Vilas Palace well-known as Mysore Palace is the topmost attraction of the Mysore city. The palace is really huge, located at the center of the city. The Palace timings are 10AM to 5PM IST, and there is an entry ticket of 40/- per adult. The palace has three entrances - East, West and South, the south is open for the public.

Mysore Palace Gate, Mysore

East Gate Mysore Palace, Mysore 

The palace complex is spread across acres and is the magnificent display of Mysore kingdom's culture, art and history. There are guides available but I would suggest to take audio guide for the main complex. The photography is not allowed in here.

Main Complex Mysore Palace, Mysore

The main complex walls are full of colorful paintings of the kings, the stories of Mysore kingdom and festivals of Mysore, especially there is a huge painting of famous Dasara procession. 

It has many unique rooms: The Ambavilas - The decorated big hall for private assembly, The Kalyan Mantapa - A huge octagonal hall for the royal wedding ceremonies, The Diwan-e-aam - The common assembly hall. All these rooms have unique designs, huge decorated pillars, glossy mosaic flooring, floral chandeliers, which gives them a royal look.

 

The Architectural beauty of  Mysore Palace, Mysore

The palace showcases a lot of antique items. One of them is precious Elephant Howdah (Ambadi) made of 84 Kg gold. There is a Doll's gallery of traditional ancient dolls. The armory displaying ancient weapons used by the royal family. There are many European antique items too. 

Children enjoying elephant ride in Palace complex, Mysore

There are 12 Hindu temples surrounding the main complex, Someshvara and Lakshmiramana are the famous among them. The temples are having fabulous architecture and stone carving.

Temple inside the palace complex, Mysore

On the Nilgiris - Ooty

Ooty or Udhagamandalam is a beautiful hill station located in Tamilnadu state of south India. It is well connected by state transportation buses and railway. Nearest Airport is Coimbatore situated about 80KM away. We took a cab from Coimbatore airport to bus station from where we got govt. bus to reach Ooty, it took around 5 hours. 

On the way to Ooty

On our first day at evening, we visited the Ooty lake house and enjoyed boat ride. The lake is beautiful, and the lake house has many fun activities like mirror maze, haunted house, toy train, food stalls, etc. 

Ooty Lake

Just opposite to Lake house there is special garden, called Thread Garden. It is an art museum of beautiful artificial flowers made by silk thread. They also demonstrates the process of making these colorful handcrafted flowers.

Colorful flowers created by silk thread, Thread garden, Ooty

Colorful flowers created by silk thread, Thread garden, Ooty

The second day started with the most amazing and scenic experience of Nilgiri mountain railway - The mini train. The train runs between Ooty and Mettupalayam station, and gives the amazing joyride of Nilgiri mountains and tea gardens in its way. We descended to Coonoor town by the Nilgiri railway in an hour. 

Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Ooty

There are cabs available out side of the station for Coonoor sight seeing. They charge around 500/- to 600/- including guide to show all the famous points of the town. We visited Tea gardens and tasted pure green tea. Then visited Lamb's rock point, Dolphin's nose point, Sleeping lady view point, Coonoor town view, etc. 

Sleeping lady view point, Coonoor

View from Lamb's Rock Point, Coonoor

Tea Gardens, Coonoor

Coonoor town view point

The main attraction of Coonoor town is Sim's park, a well maintained botanical garden, having lots of plant species and tall trees. We visited the park in May, so fortunately we could enjoy the fruit show and a cultural show here. 

Fruit show, Sim's Park, Coonoor

Fruit show, Sim's Park, Coonoor

A century old tree, Sim's Park, Coonoor

Sim's Park, Coonoor

Sim's Park, Coonoor

Our third day we spent visiting scenic mountain peaks and colorful gardens of Ooty. The Doddabetta peak is the highest point of south India and has fabulous multiple view points over here. It's well maintained and photography lover's place.

Telescope house, Doddabetta peak, Ooty

View from Doddabetta peak, Ooty

The Botanical garden of ooty is one of the oldest botanical gardens of India. The climate is so enjoyable in this garden even in the summer. The Garden is so large that it is divided into several sections like Italian garden, upper garden, main garden, nurseries, etc. The garden has around a thousand species of plants and trees. In the centre of the Gardens lie a fossilized tree trunk estimated to be 20 million years old.

Botanical Garden, Ooty

Botanical Garden, Ooty

Botanical Garden, Ooty

The Rose garden of Ooty is the biggest rose garden of India, having more than 20,000 varieties of roses in various sizes and colors. It is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department and is one of the must see places of Ooty.

Sitar of roses, Rose Garden, Ooty

Rose Garden, Ooty

A Pink rose, Rose Garden, Ooty

Rose Garden, Ooty

Rose Garden, Ooty

Rose Garden, Ooty

The Ooty is famous to buy homemade chocolates available in almost all the shops. Also enjoy buying juicy fresh fruits and green tea.