Local Buzz
Mysuru is a city of history and culture with ample possibilities for self-discovery.
Royal Heritage
One of the most enduring identifiers of the city is the splendid 1 Mysore Palace ( mysorepalace.gov.in), built in 1897. Also known as Maharaja’s Palace and Amba Vilas Palace, it is one of India’s largest palaces and features mighty domes, arches, and colonnades. 2 Jaganmohan Palace was an alternative home to the royals, as was the all-white Lalitha Mahal ( lalithamahalpalace.co.in), the second largest palace in Mysuru. The latter was built in 1921 on the lines of the St Paul’s Cathedral in London. A 30-minute drive from Mysuru is the fortress of 3 Srirangapatna, which used to be the summer capital of Sultan Haider Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan.
Spiritual Space
Since the kings of Mysore kingdom were devotees of goddess Chamundi, the Amba Vilas Palace faces the Chamundi Hills, where 1,000 stone stairs lead you to the 4 Chamundeshwari Temple ( chamundeshwaritemple.in). The 5 St Philomena’s Cathedral, built in 1936 and inspired by Germany’s Cologne Cathedral, is among the tallest churches in Asia. The
is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in South India. Besides a towering statue of
Buddha that stands 12 metres tall, the interiors of this monastery feature illustrations of stories from Tibetan Buddhist mythology.
Mixed Bag
Being the birthplace of the Ashtanga style of yoga, espoused by the legendary yoga guru K Pattabhi Jois, Mysuru has close to 400 yoga centres, including the Ashtanga Yoga Institute ( ashtangayogamysore.net) run by Jois’s grandson, R Sharath Jois. Those interested in meditation can try the Temple of Singing Bowls, ( templeofsingingbowls.com), where artist and musician Akhilanka practises and teaches healing using Tibetan singing bowls. Mysuru’s century-old Devaraja Market is a place for all things bright and beautiful, including blossoms of rajnigandha and marigold. The festival of Mysore Dasara is a showcase of splendour that takes place between October and November. The celebrations include a dramatic procession of decorated elephants.