Mysore is a historically significant town situated in the heart of Karnataka. Mysore is without doubt one of the best places to be in South India. There are many interesting places to visit in Mysore for people of all ages. Located in the foothills of Chamundi Hills, this beautiful town was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore for over six centuries. Founded by Yaduraya Wodeyar, the Kingdom of Mysore was annexed to the Republic of India in 1947.
Table of Content
Mysore is known as the cultural capital of Karnataka, This region was ruled by the Wadiyar Dynasty for the majority of its history. Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali Khan also ruled over Mysore briefly. The contributions made by both the dynasties towards the development of Mysore is immense and cannot be undermined. In this article, let’s take a look at some of the must-visit places in Mysore.
10 Places to Visit in Mysore
- Mysore Palace
- Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens
- Brindavan Gardens
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- St. Philomena’s Cathedral
- Chamundeshwari Temple
- Jaganmohan Palace Art
- Mysore Rail Museum
- GRS Fantasy Park
- Devaraja Market
Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace is arguably the most popular landmark in Mysore. This opulent palace is one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The sheer magnificence and beauty of Mysore Palaces is capable of impressing absolutely anyone. With more than 6 million annual visitors, along with Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions in India. The intricate designs and the alluring charm of Mysore Palace is unmatched
The construction of this palace began in 1897 and was completed in 1912. The need for building a new palace arose because the old palace was completely destroyed by a fire. The old palace was made of wood and thus caught on fire during Dussehra celebrations. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV assigned Henry Irwin the responsibility to design a fine palace capable of inspiring awe. Mysore Palace is one of the best places to visit in Mysore.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Opulent designs
Ideal duration to Explore: 2 Hours
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, situated in Indira Nagar, is one of the finest zoos in the country. This zoo is also commonly referred to as Mysore Zoo or Mysuru Zoo. Spread across a total area of 157 acres, (64 hectares), there is plenty to explore at this extraordinary zoo. A total of 1320 animals call this zoo their home making this one of the most interesting places to see in Mysore. This zoo was originally created in 1892 by Maharaja Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar.
At the time, this zoo was established on a meagre 10 acres (4.04 hectares) of land. The Forest Department undertook the operations of the zoo in 1972. This zoo is home to an artificial lake and a bandstand. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens houses more elephants than any other zoo in the country. For wildlife enthusiasts, there are few better places to be in Karnataka.
Opening Hours: Monday from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM, Wednesday to Sunday from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM
Major Attractions: The Karanji lake and the diverse animals
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 to 3 Hours
Brindavan Gardens
Situated by the Krishnarajasagara Dam, Brindavan Gardens was completed in 1932. The work of this garden began in 1927 and took five years to be completed. After being opened to the public in 1932, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the best places to visit in Mysore. Sir Mirza Ismail, the Diwan of Mysore, founded the Brindavan Gardens.
The Brindavan Gardens is inspired by the Lalbagh Gardens in Bangalore. This garden is maintained by the Cauvery Niravari Nigama. This scenic garden is spread across a total area of 60 acres (24.28 hectares). This garden is maintained on a total of three terraces. The many water fountains here add to the garden’s beauty. Brindavan Gardens is one of the top places to visit in Mysore.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 Hours
Things to do: Breath in the fresh air, take a stroll amidst nature
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the largest bird sanctuary in Karnataka. This bird sanctuary is one of the major attractions in Mysore. This nature’s paradise is also known as the Pakshi Kashi of Karnataka. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is spread across a total of 40 acres (16 hectares) covering a total of six islents on the banks of the Kaveri River. With over 3 Lakh annual visitors, this is one of the most popular tourist places in the state.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and the surrounding areas have been declared an eco-sensitive zone owing to its rich natural diversity. Over 170 species of birds can be spotted here. During Winter, as many as 40,000 migratory birds can be spotted at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. These birds come all the way from North India, Latin America, and Siberia.
Best Time to Visit: December to February
Major Attractions: Migratory Birds
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 to 3 Hours
Things to do: Bird watching
St. Philomena’s Cathedral
St. Philomena’s Cathedral is one of the most important religious places to visit in Mysore. This cathedral is also known by the names of Cathedral of St. Joseph and St. Philomena and St.Joseph’s Cathedral. The spires of St. Philomena’s Cathedral stand at a height of 175 feet (53 metres) making this one of the tallest cathedrals in Asia. This cathedral was constructed in 1936.
The Neo-Gothic style of architecture of St. Philomena’s Cathedral is inspired by the iconic Cologne Cathedral. This cathedral was designed by a French architect named Daly. St. Philomena is housed in the crypt of this cathedral. The stained glass here depicts important biblical occasions.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Major Attractions: The architecture and the statue of Saint Philomena
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Chamundeshwari Temple
Situated on the top of Chamundeshwari Hill, Chamundeshwari Temple is one of the most iconic Hindu temples in Mysore. Chamundeshwari was the tutelary deity of the Maharaja of Mysore for centuries. This magnificent temple is situated at a height of 3300 feet (100from sea level. According to legends, Mahishasura, the demon king, was defeated by Goddess Durga on top of this hill.
Chamundeshwari Temple is one of the 18 Shakti Peethas dotted all across the country. The rulers of the Hoysala Dynasty are believed to be the ones to build the temple’s original shrine way back in the 12th Century. The imposing tower of the Chamundeshwari Temple is believed to be built by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. A total of thousand steps lead you to the Chamundeshwari Temple which is one of the best places for religious sightseeing in Mysore.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 05:30 AM to 01:30 PM, Monday to Thursday from 03:30 PM to 05:30 PM, Saturday from 05:30 AM to 01:30 PM, Saturday from 03:30 PM to 05:30 PM
Major Attractions: The thousands of steps and granite sculpture of Nandi
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Jaganmohan Palace Art
Jaganmohan is a 19th Century Palace used by the Wodeyar royals as their temporary abode. When the Old Mysore Palace burnt completely and the new palace was still being constructed, the Wodeyars shifted their residence to the Jaganmohan Palace. The construction of this royal abode was finished in 1861. This magnificent and opulent building is now an art museum.
This iconic art museum is home to one of the largest collections of South Indian artefacts in the world. Paintings of renowned artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Haldenkar, Rabindranath Tagore, Abanidranath Tagore, Nikola Roerich, Svetoslav Roerich, Ranada Ukil, and Barada Ukil can be explored at Jaganmohan Palace Art. With over 2000 paintings, Jaganmohan Art Palace has earned a name for itself as one of the most fascinating places to visit in Mysore.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 AM to 01:30 PM
Major Attractions: Paintings of globally renowned artists
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 to 3 Hours
Mysore Rail Museum
Mysore Rail Museum is one of the most interesting places to see in Mysore. This spectacular outdoor museum exhibits a wide range of vintage locomotives that are capable of captivating absolutely anyone’s interest. This iconic museum was established in 1979 and has since then been welcoming thousands of visitors from across the country every year. Apart from the locomotives, you can also check out paintings and photographs tracking the growth of the Indian Railways. Mysore Railway Museum is one of the most interesting destinations in Mysore.
An Austrian rail-motor car, inspection cars, ES 506 4-6-2 locomotive, royal coaches that belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore, and the Maharani Saloon carriage are some of the star attractions at the Mysore Rail Museum. A battery-operated train gives tours of the Mysore Rail Museum to people of all ages at a reasonable rate.
Opening Hours: Monday from 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM, Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM
Major Attractions: Vintage locomotives
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 Hours
GRS Fantasy Park
If you are looking to take a break from exploring the museums and palaces in Mysore, there is no better place to be than GRS Fantasy Park. Spread across a total distance of 40 acres, GRS Fantasy Park offers adventure and thrill to people of all ages. This is a must-visit destination for families while in Mysore. Carousel, Caterpillar, and Baby Train are some of the most popular rides among kids here.
Dragon’s Den, Columbia, Aqua Tornado, Aqua Racer, and Pendulum Slide are some of the most sought-after rides at GRS Fantasy Park. Swing Chair, Red Indian Falls, Dashing Car and Snow Sledge are some of the family-friendly rides here. Adults can get entry tickets at just INR 799 and the price of the ticket for kids is INR 699. An additional 10% discount is offered to students. GRS Fantasy Park is one of the most famous tourist places in Mysore.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 AM to 06:00 PM
Major Attractions: Thrilling Rides
Ideal Duration to Explore: 4 Hours
Devaraja Market
During any trip, shopping is an important aspect for travellers of all kinds. Buying the local products or taking back home a souvenir as a reminder of your trip is a must while at any new place. While at Mysore, shopping from Devaraja Market is highly recommended to complete your travel experience. Devaraja Market is one of the best shopping places to visit in Mysore.
Here, you will find everything from fresh fruits and flowers to pooja items and more being sold at reasonable rates. Attars, perfumes, incense sticks, garlands, sweets, bangles, rangoli, idols of Hindu gods, and even handicrafts can be purchased at Devaraja Market without burning a hole in your pocket. This is a must-visit place for experiencing a truly local shopping experience.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Things to do: Shop local
Mysore is one of the star attractions of tourism in South India. The culture and the tourism scene in Mysore are among the best in the country. The many historical landmarks, opulent palaces, magnificent gardens, and spectacular attractions make sure that your trip to Mysore is exciting and full of fun. Mysore is clean, safe, and exciting, Travellers of all types can visit Mysore without any hesitation.
FAQ
Which is the best time to visit Mysore?
Between October to February is the best time to visit Mysore owing to the pleasant weather conditions.
What is Mysore popular for?
Mysore is mainly popular for the many palaces and historical landmarks spread across the city. Mysore Palace, Jaganmohan Palace Art, and Brindavan Gardens are some of the most popular attractions of Mysore.
How far is Coorg from Mysore?
Coorg is situated at a distance of 112 KMs (69.59 miles) from Mysore. Both Coorg and Mysore are among the most visited tourist destinations in South India.