Brindavan Gardens - Mysore

BRINDAVAN GARDENS - MYSORE (KRS DAM)

Brindavan Gardens is a garden located in the state of Karnataka in India. Brindavan Gardens is one of the most popular tourist place in Mysore. It is situated towards the north west of Mysore at a distance of about 20 to 22 Kms from Mysore Palace. Around 2 million people visits Brindavan Gardens every year.

Brindavan Gardens

At present the Garden is maintained by a Government of Enterprises - Cauvery Niravari Nigama (Irrigation Department). It is spread across area of around 60 acres. Brindavan Gardens lies adjoining the Krishnaraja Sagara Dam (KRS) which is built across the river Kaveri. Built in 1924, the river confluence of three river warer - kaveri, Hemavathy and Lakshmantheertha. The Dam work started in the year 1927 and completed in 1932.

Fountains

The Brindavan Gardens is a show garden that has fountains, park and also Boat rides beneath the dam.The main attraction of the garden is Musical Fountain which is also called as Dancing Fountains in which bursts of water are sync to the music of western and traditional songs. The lighting in the musical fountains glitters like gold to all the tourists present over the side of the Musical Fountain. Goddess Cauvery Statue is placed near the Musical Fountain. 

Goddess Cauvery

Fountains

The Brindavan Gardens are illuminated from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Weekdays and from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Weekends. Entry fee for Adults INR - 15/-.

How to Reach Brindavan Gardens:

By Road - 22kms away from Mysore city

Bus facility available from Mysore City Bus Stand.

Brindavan Garden Timings:

Week Days - 6:00am to 9:00pm

Saturdays & Sundays - 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Musical Fountain

Chamundi Hills - Mysore

CHAMUNDI HILLS

Chamundi Hills is one of the major tourist place in Mysore city. From all the corners of the city you can view Chamundi hills. Chamundeshwari temple is situated on the top of the Chamundi hills which is 3,500 ft above sea level and located at a distance of about 10 to 12kms from the Mysore Palace. Its average elevation is 1,000 meters.

View from the top of the hill

A view point is situated just 1 km before the temple where all the tourists see the panoramic view of the Mysore city. Especially it is great to watch some beautiful places like Racecourse, Mysore Palace, Lalith Mahal Palace, Karanji Lake & Kukaralli Lake. View of the city looks amazing especially on Sunday evenings from 7pm as the Mysore palace will be illuminated with many lights. It glitters like a gold when u watch it from the view point.

View from the top of the hills

The temple has a very beautiful idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari. Goddess chamundeshwari is also referred as Goddess Kali/Goddess Durga. Bus facility is available to chamundi hills every 15 to 30 minutes from Mysore city bus stand which is very near to Mysore Palace. Volvo buses are also available.

Other than buses there is a way to reach Chamundeshwari temple on  the hills. In 1659 Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar built 1,000 steps to reach Chamundi hills. On the way to hills through this steps there is a huge Nandi statue (lord shiva's bull) This is one of the largest bull statue in India which is 16 ft tall at the front and 25 ft in length. You can reach the Nandi statue at 700th step.

 

Nandi Statue

Near to chamundeshwari temple there is a Mahishasura Statue - which is built in 1659. Mahishasura was ruling the Mysore city. He was a Buffalo headed monster.

Mahishasura Statue

Chamundeshwari Temple Pooja Timings:

Morning   - 7.30am to 2.00pm

Afternoon - 3.30pm to 6.00pm

Evening    -  7.30pm to 9.00pm

How to Reach Mysore

How to Reach Mysore

As i have mentioned in my previous blogs, Mysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka and it is also known as Cultural Capital of Karnataka. People travel to Mysore by Road, by Train and by Air

By Air : There is a small domestic airport in Mysore. As of now only Jet Airways caters flights in Mysore. From Mysore to Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. Mysore Airport is also known as "Mandakalli Airport"

Mysore Airport has all good facilities like Baggage services, places to eat and shop, Duty free shopping and also proper connectivity of city bus to connect to Railway Station and Bus stand.

The nearest Airport to Mysore is Bangalore International Airport which is 140km away from Mysore city. All the domestic airlines in the country operate their flights to Bangalore from all the major cities in the country. Round the clock there will be help desk in Bangalore and Mysore Airport.

Mysore Airport

By Train: Mysore Railway station is situated very near to bus stand. Mysore is connected with a number of trains to Bangalore every day. Every day at 11a.m there is a super fast express train "Shatabdi Express" train which connects Mysore to Madras (Chennai) via Bangalore. 

A Help Desk is available in Railway station round the clock to help the deligates and travellers who travel to Mysore. Almost every one hour there is a train which travel from Mysore to Bangalore. Two way work is in under process. Once the work completes it will take only two hours to reach Mysore from Bangalore.

Mysore Railway Station

By Road: Mysore bus transportation is a part of Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC). KSRTC provide excellent bus service all over karnataka and also to other states in India. Mysore is just 140 kms to the south west of Bangalore. Travelling from Mysore to Bangalore would be really a pleasant experience because of those 4 way neat roads. KSRTC provide different class of buses to Mysore from Bangalore 24/7. Airavat volvo bus is famous in KSRTC with multi axle & A.C coach.

Buses runs every 5 minutes from Bangalore to Mysore. As there are different class of buses runs every day from Mysore to Bangalore, there are many choices for all the travellers who would love to travel by road. Its just a 3 Hours journey by Road from Bangalore to Mysore. NICE road is under construction. Once it is done, it will take around 1.5 or 2 hours to Mysore from Bangalore.

Mysore - Bangalore Highway

Please like and share my write ups. Also please let me know if anyone need more info about train, flight and bus timings to Mysore from any place. Thanks!

Culture of Mysore

As i stated in my previous blog about Mysore. Mysore is also known as "Cultural Capital" of Karnataka.

Mysore is a city where all religions exists from many centuries. Mysore is famous in all different fields from many centuries. It is Mysore Style. Painting, Architecture, Music, Poetry, Dasara festival, etc,. Over a period of time as this culture spread over it was prefixed with the word "Mysore" to identify the unique cultural heritage. Today in Karnataka the best quality jasmine flowers are also known as famous "Mysooru Maligae" (Mysore Jasmine).  

Mysore Culture is a fine combination of the historic heritage and the contemporary achievements of the city. As a land of the maharajas Mysore has always been an appealing city. The culture of Mysore speaks a lot of the past when this beautiful city of Karnataka was a dominion of the brave kings.  

The festivals of Mysore indicates the great Culture of Mysore and also the Cultural unity of this City. As i mentioned before, there are different religion of people are living in Mysore. Mysore become a common cultural canopy under which the various festivals are celebrated by every one.

Navarathri Festival is one of the famous and long festival which happens in Mysore. This festival will be celebrate for a nine long days. Dasara is celebrated by the people and Maharaja of Mysore by inagurating a elephant procession. Taking out a procession around the city in which Goddess Chamundeshwari idol is placed on an elephant (this is also called as Jamboo Savari). The whole city will be decorated with Lights during Dasara festival in Mysore.

In my next writing, i will write How to reach Mysore. Thanks!

Mysore: The City of Palaces

Mysore is a city which is located in state of Karnataka, Mysore District, India. Mysore is one of the largest districts in Karnataka. The name MYSORE is famous all over the world as it is one among the best tourist place in the world. Patrons of art and culture the Wodeyars ruled Mysore kingdom and contributed significantly to the cultural growth of Mysore city.

Mysore is located at 770 m above sea level at 12.18° N 76.42° E and Mysore is just a 3 Hours (150 km) from the Capital city of Karnataka - BANGALORE.

Mysore, the cultural capital of the Karnataka state, has many educational, commercial, administrative centers and heritage monuments. It was the home for many great musicians, music composers, dancers, Sanskrit scholars, writers and in general intellectuals.

The city with the Beautiful Mysore Palace, The Royal Mansions, Public buildings, Gardens, Markets exhibit an indelible impression of the vision of the Maharajas, their Dewans and other talented luminaries on the City Municipality as early as 1862. 

The marvelous Buildings, Lakes, Parks and Chamundi hills adds worth to city’s attraction. Mysore is called the City of Palaces as a number of palaces are situated in the city. I tried my best to give you information about Palaces in Mysore. 

JAGANMOHAN PALACE 

 This palace is towards the western part of the famous Mysore Palace and at a walkable distance. Until the completion of the main palace auditorium in 1912 the Annual Day and Dasara Festival celebration were taking place in Jaganmohan Palace. A very beautiful and artistic mantap in the front of this palace attracts all tourists to this place. Wedding ceremony of "Naalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeya" and "Shri Kantheerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar" took place in this palace.This palace was built by "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the third ".
The crowning ceremony of "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth" also took place here in 1902. This place was used for staying of royal family until the new palace was built and it was used for entertainment afterwards. Now this is a famous art gallery which consists of paintings by famous Indian painter "Raja Ravivarma". The large auditorium is used for major cultural events in mysore. 

JAYALAKSHMI VILASA 

This is now the administrative office of University of Mysore. It was built in 1901 by the King of Mysore "Chamaraja Wodeyar" for his elder daughter. This palace is located to the western side of "Kukkara Halli Lake" and located approximately 4kms from Mysore Palace. Here comes Kukkara Halli Lake. I want to tell a few words about this beautiful lake.

Kukkara Halli Lake

Kukkara Halli Lake is a beautiful lake which is located approximately 3Kms from Mysore Palace. Its a huge area with beautiful parks and a way for the people who used to jog in the morning. You can see a beautiful view in the evening.

LALITHA MAHAL 

The second most Beautiful Palace in Mysore. The foundation stone was laid in November 18, 1921 by "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth". This palace gets its beauty by the Chamundi hill to its backside and is located towards East of Mysore city. The palace is eye catching by its whiteness which comes from the granite stone brought from Italy for the construction. Now this palace is a five star hotel and attracts VIPs and tourists from foreign countries and rich people!.

VASANTHA MAHAL

Vasantha Mahal Palace was built in 1842 and used as "Special School" for young princess. The Palace was built in 36 acres surrounded by beautiful flower gardens. The specialty of this palace is that the facing portions of the palace is made of soft iron. After entering the palace we can see a large verandah. The first floor resembles the ground floor. This building looks beautiful and artistic. This palace was a hotel for a long time and the bad part is this palace is currently locked for visitors.

CHELUVAMBA VILASA

 This palace was built for the third princess during 1910-11 and is beautiful to view. The dome atop the palace add to the beauty of the palace. This palace is now the famous CFTRI (Central Food Technology and Research Institute) and is in very good condition.

LOKARANJAN MAHAL

Built in 1880, this palace was school for "Chamaraja Wodeyar", "Krishnaraja Wodeyar", and young prince's. This is also called as summer palace. A swimming pool has been built in a modern style and joining to this palace is the zoo garden.

RAJENDRA VILASA

 This was built during 1822 and 1838 and is atop the chamundi hills. This palace was re-constructed by "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth". The royal family were visiting this palace for excursion. "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth" was being taught philosophy and english here in this palace. This palace has been built in indo-british style.

Standing near the palace at the view point, one can enjoy the panoramic view of mysore city. We can also see Biligiri Rangan Hills (B. R. Hills) ranges, Nilgiri hill ranges and the backwaters of KRS dam (Brindavan Gardens) from here. This palace was a hotel for some time and currently this is crumbling without any maintenance. Visitors are not allowed to this palace.

KARANJI VILASA

This palace was built for second Princess. The construction started in 1902 and was completed in 1932, it is built in indo-greek style and encompasses 38 acres of land. This palace is located next to "Karanji Kere" lake on the way to Lalithamahal palace.

TIPPU SULTAN SUMMER PALACE

This Palace, which once existed on Chamaraja Double Road, was built by Tipu Sultan. Tipu is said to have constructed this Palace for resting, while on his journey to Madikeri (Kodagu). In 1956, this Palace was handed over to Raghavendra Swamy Mutt by the descendants of Tipu Sultan and Nizamuddin Ali Khan. The Palace now houses a primary school run by the Government. It is a matter of pride that the Palaces built by the erstwhile rulers have not been allowed to be lost in the pages of history, but maintained in excellent condition, housing vibrant institutions of research, education, culture and the hospitality industry. 

*There are some other small palaces located in Mysore city.