Mysore : The perfumed Sandalwood City.

Mysore city was the capital of the old royal Mysore province. The word Mysore expands to "Mahishasurana Ooru". According to a legend, the demon Mahishasura was killed by goddess Chamundeshwari atop the Chamundi hill near Mysore, which gave the city its name. Ever since, the Mysore royal family has worshipped Chamundeshwari as the palace deity. The Hill dedicated to her stands on the the eastern end of Mysore town today.

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.

Location: Located 770m above sea level and 140 Km from Bangalore, Mysore, the imperial city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars, Also known as the city of Palaces.

Languages Spoken: Kannada, Tulu, Hindi and English

Long Distance Code: +91-821

Importance: Famous for its Vrindavan gardens and the Dushhera celebrations.

Area: 6269 sq.km

Best Time to Visit: October To March

Mysore Attractions

Brindavan gardens and Krishnarajendra Dam

Built in 1924, this is India's first irrigation dam. Sir M. Vishweswariah, the engineer who designed and built this dam, has shown his acumen in converting a dam site into a beautiful garden with colourful fountains and ponds downstream. The dam is named after the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna raja Wodeyar, who financed this novel project. KRS represents a marvel of civil engineering achievement in pre-independence India and was among the first in the world to use automatic sluice gates. Locally available surkhi was used instead of importing cement from England.

Brindavan gardens is located 12 Km northwest of Mysore city and has rows-of colourful fountains. There is a boating pond to cross the dam from the south bank to the north bank and at the northern edge are the dancing fountains. Using advanced lighting techniques, the fountains are made to jump and dance to the tune of music. The dam is over 3 Km long and is constructed at the junction of three rivers - Kaveri, Hemavati and Lakshmanathirtha. This site has been popularised over the years by the large number of Indian/foreign films shot at this location.

Timings: 7.00 P.M. to 7.55 P.M. on weekdays.

7.00 P.M. to 8.55 P.M. on holidays.

During winter: 6.30 P.M. to 7.25 P.M. on weekdays.

6.30 P.M. to 8.25 P.M. on holidays.

Entrance fees: Rs.10/- per head.

The Mysore Palace

The palace was originally built of wood, which got burnt down in 1897 AD and was rebuilt in 1912 AD. The Mysore Palace, built is Indo-Saracenic style with domes turrets, arches and colonnades; the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. The tastefully decorated and intricately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms.

The walls of the palace are painted with pictures of the Dassera processions and these paintings are painted in such a manner that from any angle you can see the procession coming towards you. The royal throne of the Wodeyars is displayed during the Dassera festival.

Belur

One of the three major Hoysala temples still in daily use today is the Channekeshava Temple of Belur. The construction of the temple, which took almost a century, was started in 1116 to commemorate the Hoysalas' victory over the Cholas. Enclosed in a paved compound, the temple complex includes a well and a bathing tank. It is believed that every major deity of the Hindu pantheon is represented in the temple.

Chamundi Hills

Forming the backdrop of the city is the 1,100-feet-high Chamundi Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family's patron deity. To reach the temple one can either drive through the 13-km stretch up to the summit or climb the 1,000 stone steps. Nearby the temple stands the huge statue of Mahishasura, the demon slain by the Goddess. Halfway up along the stone steps stands the majestic 4.8-metre monolith of Nandi the Bull, Lord Shiva's chosen mount. The statue is believed to be 300 years old and its chief attraction, apart from its size, is the meticulous craftsmanship of its ornaments-from its delicate anklets to the magnificent pendant bell around its neck.

Mysore Dasara

Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. Mysore also has associations with the Mahabharata and King Ashoka of the 3rd century B.C. during the Wodeyar rule Mysore reached the zenith of its glory as a fabled centre of oriental splendour.

Pomp and Pageantry Relived Come to Mysore in October when the tranquil city awakens to ten days of Dasara festivities. Brilliantly lit up Palaces, decorated arches, festooned streets, colourful costumes and cultural shows…classical music, folk dances, Bharata Natyam, Yakshagana, Huthari, Torch Light Parade, Theppotsava… The culmination is the legendary Mysore Dasara Procession with caparisoned elephants, the golden howdah, decorated horses, stately coaches, troops in ceremonial uniforms, folk dancers and colourful floats.

Bandipura Wildlife Sanctuary

Bandipura is 80 Km southwest of Mysore, directly on the Mysore-Ooty road. It is a forest reserve created to protect the Royal Indian Tiger and has been one of the success stories for "Project Tiger." A forest lodge located at the heart of Bandipura on the Mysore-Ooty road, provides an excellent and quiet location for exploring this wonderful nature paradise.

Early morning, jeeps go out into the forest-taking tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the tiger. With luck, most of them will be able to see the Tiger, Elephant and other wild animals in their natural habitat. For late risers, there is an elephant ride through the forest, which is a pleasant experience. Deers, Langur monkeys, Peacocks; Wild dogs are often encountered on these adventure trips on the elephant's back.

The best seasons to visit Bandipura are the spring, post-monsoon, and autumn. During the summer months the forests dry up and water holes are scarce.

Hampi

Hampi was once the glorious capital of mighty Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1565), from the Deccan Plateau to the tip of the Peninsula. Founded in the middle of the 14th century by two local princes, Hukka & Bukka, the Vijayanagara Empire came to be celebrated for its might and wealth and as a showpiece of imperial magnificence. The emperors of this dynasty were great patrons of art and architecture, which can still be seen in the vast ruins of Hampi. In an effort to resurrect this abandoned capital, the government has been involved in the restoration, excavation and protection of the ruins, which spread over an area of 26 sq. km. Rocky hills and the mighty Tungabhadra River, which flows through this rugged landscape, dominate the terrain.

Location: Hampi is located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India. It is 353 km from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet. It is located on top of a rugged terrain and is 467 m above sea level. Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi. It has a tropical climate with hot summers (April-June), and cool winters (October-February). It experiences the southwestern monsoon rains from June to August.

Languages Spoken: Kannada and English

Long Distance Code: +91-8394

Importance: Ruins of Vijayanagar capital and its ancient temples.

Area: 26 sq.km.

Best Time To Visit: October To March

Hampi Attractions:

Tungabhadra Dam

This dam is 17 Km from Hampi. The site of the dam built across the Tungabhadra river lies 15 Km from Hospet. The high masonry dam is about 590m Long and 49 m. high. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 132,559 million cubic feet of water spread over an area of 379 sq. km.

The Queen's Bath

The Queen's Bath looks rather block-like from the outside. Inside, however, gallery-verandas, with overhanging Rajasthani balconies, encircle a 15-metre square bath. Once, cool, perfumed water poured in a minor waterfall at one side and flowed out through an underground drain. The bath, though carefully shielded on all sides, was open to the sky. It was a celebration of the good life, which, in many ways, was the leitmotif of Hampi.

Lotus Palace

Near the Hazara Ram Temple, in the walled area of zenana (women's quarters), there is an exquisite pavilion called the Lotus Palace. It is believed that the women of the royal family who lived in the nearby Queens' Palace disported themselves in the water pavilion within their protected enclosure and met in the Lotus Palace. Its inflicted arches are particularly intriguing. This palace is a blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and gets its name from the lotus bud carved on its domed and vaulted ceiling. The Mughal monuments in Agra, built a century later, show modified variations of such features.

House of Victory

It was built when Krishnadeva Raja came back from his victorious expedition against the King of Orissa. The spaces between the rows of the plinth-moldings here are most elaborately and elegantly carved. The kings of Vijayanagar used to sit on a grand throne in the House of Victory and witness the nine-day Dasahara festival. Westwards from the House of Victory, leading through two ruined gates, the path leads to the Hazara Ramaswami temple. This temple is believed to have been the private place of worship of the royal family. The chief attraction of the temple is the series of scenes from the Ramayana carved on two of the inside walls of the mantapa. The genesis of the place known today as Hampi dates back to the age of the Hindu epic Ramayana when it was the site of Kishkinda, a monkey kingdom.

Vithala Temple Complex

The most splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly the Vithala Temple Complex with its 56 musical pillars. To the east of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve. In front of the shrine stands the great mantapa. Resting on a richly sculpted basement, huge pillars of granite support its roof, about 15 feet in height, each consisting of a central pillar surrounded by detached shafts, all cut from one single block of stone. Several of the carved pillars were attacked with such fury that they are hardly more than shapeless blocks of stones and a large portion of the central part has been destroyed utterly.

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Konark : The Land of the Sun Temple

The small town of Konark is world famous for its exotic temple dedicated to Sun God. Today declared as a world heritage site, the temple is the most beautiful example of the Oriyan temple architecture. Standing virtually on the sea beach of Konark, this temple was earlier known as the Black Pagoda, as it would mislead the boatmen and eventually cause ship wreckage.

Just like each and every temple and place in India has a myth or a legend attached to it, Konark temple is no exception. Why the temple was built on the sea shores is still a mystery that amazes the historians. According to a legend, son of Lord Krishna, Samba is said to have built it. It is said that he was very good looking and once insulted the great sage Narada over his looks. Sage Narada took his revenge by luring him to a pond where Krishna's wives were bathing. When Krishna came to know about this he cursed his own son of leprosy, but repented after learning the mischievous game played by sage Narada. Samba was asked to worship Lord Surya, the Sun God who would cure all the diseases. Samba's penance paid off after 12 years so in reverence to the God he built a temple where he was asked to take a dip in the sea water.

However, historically the temple was built in the 13th century AD by King Narsinhadeva - I of Ganga dynasty, to commemorate his victory over the Mughals. It is said that building of this stupendous architectural piece took nearly 12 years with nearly 1200 artisans. Konark drives its name from the word Konarka which actually is the combination of two words, Kona and Arka. It means the place where the Sun Arka is in Corner, that is Kona, and hence the name Konark. It was also known as Konaditya, where Aditya also means Sun.

This probably might the only temple in the world which does not have a Shikhara, a conical shape on the dome. It is said that the Shikhara which was built was made of magnet which would attract lot of ships to the port eventually crashing them and therefore it was removed. But the legend goes that due to some misdeed that the king did has been punished in this form and how much so ever one may try, the Shikhara can never be built on the temple.

It is a specimen of architectural grandeur and zenith of the local architecture. The intricacy and profusion of sculptural work is amazing. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. The seven horses represent the seven days of the week and the 24 wheels denote the 24 hours in a day.

The Nat Mandir in front of the Jag Mohan is also intricately carved. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are various carvings. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. Every aspect of life is represented here, and the erotic imagery, depicts the sublimation of human love manifested in countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life and war are also done with great precision. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.

The temple went into obscurity in the later period, until it was recovered by the British. Many parts of the temple have alas been washed away in to the sea over the period of time.

There is a museum just outside the temple which houses some great artifacts those which have been saved from the ruins of the temple. The nine planets, posed as the nine deities which were located on the door ways have been enshrined in a separate temple nearby. The Astronomy that the temple poses is an amazing fact in itself. Today the sea beach which once most probably washed the stairs of the temple has receded to around 3 kms and indeed is a pristine beach. The clear waters and the soft sand with the cool breeze sure make a good retreat from the hustle bustle of the outside world.

Location: Around 65 kms from the capital of Bhubaneshwar, Konark is just 35 kms from the sacred city of Jagannath Puri.

Languages Spoken: Oriya, Hindi and English

Long Distance Code: +91-6758

Importance: Famous for the world heritage site of the sun temple.

Best Time To Visit: October To February