Exploring Mysore – A Comprehensive Travel Guide

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May 4th, 2016 by Abhijit Chakraborty

Mysore (or Mysuru) is located in the southern part of India and abounds in numerous experiences that make it a part of every traveller’s dream itinerary. This blog will help you explore Mysore to its fullest.

The city is located at the base of Chamundi Hills. Mysore is also known as the “Palace City of India”. The kingdom of was once ruled by the Wodeyar Dynasty, which has contributed a lot to the art and culture to the city.

Mysore is well connected by rail and road with other major cities. The nearest international airport is Bengaluru’s Kempegowda Airport, which is 170 kilometres (3.5 hour drive) away. The best way to reach the city from Bangalore is by taking a bus from Bengaluru bus stand which usually takes 3-4 hours. One can buy bus tickets from Bangalore to Mysore at affordable prices through the KSRTC website.

There are a plethora of things of that one can do while staying in Mysore. The most amazing things that can be enjoyed are jotted down below.

The Northern gate of the Mysore Maharaja's Palace — The Northern gate of the Mysore Maharaja’s Palace

The first thing one should do is to check into a comfortable OYO room. Mysore is known for its palaces, art and culture. The best way to explore the Great Mysore Palace is by taking an audio guide from the on-location counter and straightaway time-travel to the era of the Maharajas. There are many other palaces such as Jaganmohan Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace and Jaya Lakshmi Palace, all of which are worth visiting.

After exploring the palaces, one can enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Chamundi Hill. Just before the sunset, take a local bus to Chamundi Hill (which is usually the last stop) and feel the cool breeze atop the hill. There’s also a temple and some shops, so you buy some interesting souvenirs as well.

Sri Chamundeswari Temple, Chamundi Hill, Mysore, India

Huge Status of Nandi the Bull, Chamundi Hills

Mysore, like every other city in India, has a lot of culture, cuisine and history to offer to the casual observer. Local guides have excelled in conducting theme-based walking tours throughout the city along with various offbeat tours in the local markets.

If you are planning to stay for a long time period, volunteering is the best option to connect with the locals. There are some NGOs and Schools which offer volunteers to help in setting up things for school children.

Ashtanga yoga has been taught in Mysore since the 1930’s. There are numerous institutes which offer a yoga course or drop-in classes. Some of the well-known institutes are S.K. Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, Sthalam8, and Mystic School. Gokulam suburb has the most renowned yoga schools this city has to offer.

Visiting this place is incomplete if you have not tasted the delicious ‘Mysore Pak’, which has its origin here.

The city is also famous for silk sarees (Mysore Silk), sandalwood oil and wooden carvings and a wide variety of perfumed incense sticks. The best way to explore the local culture is to visit the century-old Devaraja Market, widely considered to be a photographer’s paradise because of its rich and colourful offerings.

Some other tourist spots include St. Philomena’s Church, the zoological park, Vrindavan Garden and two lakes – Karanji and Kukkarahalli.

Where to stay in Mysore

With more than 30 hotels in the city, OYO is a great option for travellers because of its wide range of hotels that allow great OYO experiences that suit every pocket. For more details, check out the complete range of OYOs in Mysore here.

OYO Elite Bangalore Mysore Road — OYO Elite Bangalore-Mysore Road. Book This OYO Here

OYO Premium Mysore Vinobha Road – Book This OYO Here

The best time to visit Mysore

The best time to visit Mysore is from November to March, but tourists and backpackers from all over the globe come throughout the year to explore this city. In case you are planning to visit too, you can also visit Bylakupee- the biggest settlement of Tibetans outside Tibet, which is just 2-3 hours away from Mysore.

– Mridul Pareek | Urban Rabbit

Find Best Hotels In Mysore Here