The word Mysore is a corrupted version of "mysooru", which is derived from the word "mahishur" or "Mahishasurana Ooru", which means the town of Mahishasura in Kannada, the local language. Mysore has been associated with the Puranic story found in the Devi Bhagavatha. According to the story in the Devi Purana, Mysore was ruled by the demon Kind Mahishasura - a buffalo-headed monster. In response to the prayer by the Gods and Goddesses to save them from the demon, Goddess Parvathi, took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster on top of the Chamundi hill near Mysore. Hence the hill and the city have the names Chamundi Hill and Mysore respectively.

It is said that after killing the monster the Goddess stayed on top of the hill, where she is worshipped with great devotion to this day. The famous 10 daylong Dasara of Mysore is in honor of the Goddess Chamundeshwari and is a celebration of this victory of good over evil.

Mysore was the political capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, which ruled the state of Karnataka for some 150 years till the independence of the country from the British. These kings were great patrons of art and culture and Mysore was the cultural capital of the south under the rule of the Wodeyars. Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples and retains some of the charm of the old world with its many institutions that propagate Carnatic Classical music and dance.

ATTRACTIONS

Maharaja's Palace -

Designed by the English Architect, Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace dominates the skyline of Mysore. A three storied structure in the Indo-Saracenic style built between 1897-1912, the palace has beautifully designed square towers at cardinal points, covered with domes. The Durbar Hall with its ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars and the Kalyanamantapa (Marriage Pavilion) with its glazed tiled flooring and stained glass, domed ceiling are worth noting. Intricately carved doors, the golden howdah (elephant seat), paintings as well as the fabulous, jewel encrusted golden throne (displayed during Dasara) are amongst the palace's other treasures. The walled palace complex houses the Residential Museum (incorporating some of the Palace's living quarters), temples and shrines including the Shwetha Varahaswamy temple. The palace is illuminated on Sundays, Public Holidays as well as during the Dasara Celebrations when 97,000 electric bulbs are used to illuminate it.

Chamundi Hills -

A prominent landmark, located at the outskirts of the city, Chamundi Hills can be reached by a 13 kms motorable road or 1000 steps built by the Wodeyars. At the crest of this hill is Sri Chamundeshwari Temple that dates back to the 11th century. The striking gopura (Pyramidal Temple tower) was added by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III in 1825-1826. Goddess Chamundi was the patron deity of the rulers. Near the temple is the statue of Mahishasura, the demon slayed by the goddess Chamundeshwari. Half way up the stone steps, is the 4.8 meter high monolith of Nandi, Lord Shiva's mount.

Brindavan Gardens -

19 kms North of Mysore is the famous reservoir Krishnarajasagara. This Dam is built across the river Cauvery. Just below the Dam, the beautiful Brindavan Gardens are laid out. There are varieties of fountains, illuminated at night by colorful lights. The Musical fountain is of special interest which has spectacular harmony of water, colors and music.

Somanathapura Temple -

The Keshava Temple, located 42 kms from Mysore, was built in 1268 as part of an agrahara (scholastic community) founded by the Hoysala General Somanatha Dandanayaka. The temple is famous for its elaborate detail and for the fact that unlike the other Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid, it was actually completed. This beautiful temple is enclosed within a walled courtyard, which is entered through a gate and porch. The temple is built on an elevated star shaped platform. The sides of the raised platform are richly adorned with carved friezes depicting rows of cavalry, elephants and stories from the epics. Above these is a row of large images, mainly of Vishnu in various forms. The triple-shrined (Trikutachala) monument has three sanctums, of which the north sanctum bears the image of Janardhana, the south sanctum that of Venugopala. The main hall has beautifully turned pillars and ceiling panels.

The Gumbaz –

Here lie the bodies of Hyder, his wife & Tippu. It is an imposing structure in the midst of the lovely Lal-bagh garden, with a high rise platform & having a verandah of polished black basalt pillars all round. The other things of importance are the other dungeons, gates of the fort & flag-staff cavalier, Tippu's racket court etc.

Srirangapatna -

Srirangapatna is an island town encircled by river Cauvery. The temple of Lord Sriranganatha is said to have been built by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah in 894 AD. This was once the capital of Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan, "The Tiger of Mysore". In the 18th century, Marathas attacked Srirangapatna & forced heavy payments. Hyder drew back the Marathas & saved the Kingdom. In 1799 Tippu fought a fierce Battle (Battle of Mysore) against the British & fell bravely defending his capital. Srirangapatna remains in a ruined state recalling the Battles fought & the past glory.

Sriranganatha Temple –

This is one of the largest temples in the State & is of great local importance. Its God has given the town His name. It consists of a Mahadwara with a huge tower & a pillared hall built in three or four different stages, Sukanasi & Garbhagriha. There are many other shrines inside the enclosure. Inside the Garbhagriha (Cell) is a colossal image of Vishnu reclining on the huge coils of the great snake Anantha.

Ooty -

Called the 'Queen of Hill Stations' picturesque, the green Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South situated at a distance of 158 Kms from Mysore. Located in the Western ghats at a height of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two ghats meet. Nature has been generous with this region, which is by far the most beautiful in the state. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs.