Mysore
The Fragrant Sandalwood City
Located 770m above sea level and 140 Kms from Bangalore, Mysore, the imperial
city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also known as the city
of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerise the tourists with its quaint
charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens,
imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples.
Mysore is certainly a charming, old-fashioned and undaunting town dominated
by the spectacular Maharaja's Palace, around which the boulevards of the
city radiate. Nearby is the city centre with the colourful and frenetic
Devaraja Market is inviting a stroll.
Mysore is the erstwhile capital of Wodeyars, the rulers of Mysore State.
The Wodeyar family ruled Mysore since 14th century except for a short
period of 40 years when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers. Today
Mysore is one of the major cities of Karnataka. Mysore has emerged as
a thriving market for exotic sandalwood & incense, the Mysore silk
sarees and stone-carved sculptures.
On the outskirts of Mysore, Srirangapatnam still harbours architectural
gems from the days of the great Indian hero, Tipu Sultan, and the magnificent
Hoysala temple of Somnathpur lies little more than an hour's drive away.
Legend
In the tenth century Mysore was known as "Mahishur", the town
where the buffalo-demon Mahishashur was slain by the goddess Durga. The
word Mysore expands to "Mahishasurana Ooru", which means the
town of Mahishasura. It is believed that during one of the wars between
devils and demons on the one hand and gods and goddesses on the other,
the demon Mahishasur (Mahishur) overpowered the gods.
The goddess on seeing this, incarnated as the fireceful Chamundi or Chamundeshwari
and consequently, Mahishasura was killed by Her atop the Chamundi Hill
near Mysore. Ever since, the Mysore royal family has worshipped Chamundeshwari
as the palace deity. Hills dedicated to Her stand at the eastern end of
Mysore town to this day.
Karnataka Cities Reservation Form
