Mysuru- The city of Palaces, a weekend getaway trip

                                                    
                                                    Mysuru Palace . PC : Google


Kings, kingdoms and information technology- seems a misfit, isnt it. Well, as a first thought, it does feel like a perfect mismatch and eons apart. It seems true only till you get a chance to visit Mysuru and get to know Bengaluru up close and personal. If there is a heart of Indian soft power, it is Bengaluru without any doubt. Just three hours away from the binary city, is the city of Palaces and royal fables of Mysuru. Suddenly, what seemed ages apart are just hours apart and quite literally so. 

Located on the Plateau of Karnataka are the two cities of Bengaluru and Mysuru, an exact acronym in every sense. A perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Benagluru is the City of palaces. Not surprisingly at all, Mysuru draws people from far and near and Benagluru in particular.

Widely believed to have been founded in the year 1399, the kingdom of Mysuru was founded around the modern city it is today. Without a doubt, a lot of water has flown under the bridge and kings came and went. What they left behind  was unmistakable legacy and what was built around that city by the modern man is a beautiful city. Well planned, cool and peaceful, Mysuru will draw you towards it more than once and once you are there, here is a list of things that you can do

1. Mysuru zoo

                                                                PC : Google

   If you have kids or if you like wildlife then Mysuru has everything to keep you interested. Also known as Chamarajendra Zoological garden, it houses almost all the animals that deserve to be called wild. Whats surprises is the fact that the zoo happens to be one of the oldest zoo in India and stands witness to the interest that Chamaraja Wodeyar X had in wild animals, so much so that he had a zoo of his own, only to be thrown open to the public much later.
History apart , the zoo is really worth the time you spend there. It has almost the entire gamut of animal kingdom and is definitely a treat for kids. It's open on all days except on Tuesdays.

2. Lokaranjan Aqua World
Just three kilometer away from the Mysuru Railway station, the Lokaranjan Aqua world is among the biggest aqua park in India. It's under water tunnels are specially attractive with Sting Rays, sharks etc. A place to be for kids and adults alike. It's open on all days of a week.





3. Mysore Palace: Amba vilas palace became so famous with tourist making a bee line that it earned the moniker, Mysore palace. A monument that stand synonymous to identity of Mysuru, the palace,  was built in Indo-Saracenic style by an English Architect Henry Irwin. It served as the seat of Wodeyar dynasty and the kingdom of Mysore. The palace houses  temple, a museum in addition to being a store house of opulence and affluence.


                                                             PC : Google

4. Brindavan Garden: Built across river Cauveri, Brindavan Garden is built in the complex of Krishnarajsagar dam. As if to add spice to the already rich taste of history in and around Mysuru, the garden has a history of it's own. Built by Sir Mirza Ismail along the lines of Mughal Garden, the garden is perhaps the best of terrace gardens in India. The musical fountains in the garden is without doubt the best attraction which lives upto the expected beauty and grandeur of anything related to Mysuru. Make it point to be there in the evening to have a full taste of the musical fountain and the gardens



5. Chamundi Hill temple: 
Situated at a distance of 13 km  from the Musuru railway station, Chamundi shrine is one of the 18 shakti peethas of Godess Parvati and revered spiritual destination. The temple received royal patronage from all the rulers of Musuru irrespective of the dynasty they belong to. This resulted in the Dravidian style temple having architectural  contributions from different rulers at different parts of time. Nevertheless, the temple still draws scores of devotees up its steps . The temple can be reachable by bus or a cab via a motorable road.


                                                                     PC : Google

Craving for a break in busy Bangalore life is not too much for ask and zeroing on to Mysuru for the same is not too much to ponder upon. Serene silent and historic, Mysuru has all that it takes to make a weekend break. Other than the above mentioned places, there are other places where people form abee line to be at. St Philomina's Church, Thalakadu, Karanji Lake, Kapila  river , Jagmohan palace etc. to name a few.My Advice.... be there once...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cuisines of Tamil Nadu

Image
Tamil Nadu or Tamizhagam as is fondly called by its natives is a cultural gem of India. Buoyed by  a glorious past  emboldened by mighty kingdoms, Tamil Nadu apart from other things is definitely a treat for your taste buds. For those familiar with south Indian food, the fact that spices form an  integral part of the cuisine goes without saying. For those with a red eye for spicy foods, payasams and kesaris are always on the table. Though famous for Dosas, Idlis, Vadas etc Tamil Cuisine is definitely not limited to the aforesaid and the list runs through numerous varieties of tangy and spicy sustenances. On broader lines, food in Tamil Nadu can be grouped into four heads namely Chettinadu, Kongunadu, Nanjil Nadu and TamBram. Each specific to a particular region showcases a change in taste serving as an elixir for travelers and not-so-much-a traveler alike. Welcome on board for a mouth watering journey of Tamil edibles. Chettinadu dishes:  One of the shinin...
Read more

ODISHA.. The land of mouthwatering fares

Image
Smitten I was and why shouldn't one be, after all land of temples is what Odisha is better known as. Temples soaked in architectural magnificence and historical tales attract scores of tourist to this place also known as the Goa of east. But for those carrying a travelers heart,it is hard to miss that Odisha is famous forfood and cuisines. Its perhaps one of those places close to the sea where fresh water food is equally sought after. If you thought that temples are all about spirituality and nothing else, then Odisha is for sure going to toss that feeling off the park. Temples and the offerings therein cast a huge shadow on the local fares. Here is an exhaustive list of treats for your taste buds: 1. Chenna podo Cottage cheese has always been an inseparable part of dinning table. An experimental mixing of sugar and seasoning with Cheese in a small village centuries ago, followed by baking, resulted in one of the most looked for dessert of modern times. Centuries ahead, Ch...
Read more

Why you should not be at ECR when it rains

The road that connects Chennai with Pondicherry is otherwise known as East coast Road acronymed as ECR. Running parallel to the Bay of Bengal, the road winds through various landmarks like Mahabalipuram and Muttukadu. Generally a hot and humid place, Chennai changes colours when the retreating monsoon knocks at its door with the change being most noticable near the ECR . Calm and soothing sea burst into activity with high waves buzzing at the beaches. Imagine the picture of you being on a straight road with your loved one with minimum traffic with sea on one side and the clouds stooping down at eternity as if to touch the ground. With rains lashing and the hitherto parched soil sending out the aroma of being wet for the first time in ages, the aura is all enchanting . So stay indoors lest you may fall in love with life. Make sure you lock yourself out of the reach of all those birds which touch down at the Muttkadu lake where the sea embraces the water body, lest the bird watcher ...
Read more