Mysore, City of Palaces, Feb08

This photo journal features Mysore, called the City of Palaces, which we visited on day 12/13 of our tour. Mysore, a popular travel destination in South India, is called the City of Palaces because of the large number of royal palaces in the city left by the Wodeyars dynasty that ruled Mysore from 1399 until the independence of India in 1947.

Mysore (now called Mysuru), population 800k, is the cultural capital & the 2nd largest city in the state of Karnataka (karna-TA-ka). Located about 140 kms southwest of Bangalore, the state ... (more)

Mysore is in Karnataka state
just north of Ooty in Tamil Nadu.

Friendly tea pickers
we saw enroute. Note the man in the background? He later came along &...

Genuine smile
The towels are folded on their heads for padding for the tea sling.

A little bashful

Their tea slings

Our hotel - the President
was basic but okay. Hotel link...

Mysore Palace (mp), entrance gate
Aka Amba Vilas, this is the most famous tourist attraction in Mysore....

mp2 - the majestic palace
Externally, the palace is an excellent blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, &...

mp3 - Large compound
South of the palace is the octagonal Kalyana Mandapam (wedding pavilion)...

Shweta Varahaswamy Temple (sv)
is one of 12 temples surrounding the palace. Most were built in the Dravidian...

sv2 - closer
The gopuram (entrance tower) of this temple later inspired the design for the...

Jaganmohan Palace (jp)
in mostly Hindu style, was built by Raja Wodeyar III in 1861 & is...

jp2 - closer
This palace is best known for its ornate Wedding Pavilion, the...

Former State Bank building (sb)
I could not find any information about this historic old building.

sb2 - closer

Rangacharlu Memorial Hall
This attractive hall, aka the Town Hall, was constructed in 1884 in memory of...

Mysore City Corporation complex (cc)
The civic administration of the city is managed by the Mysore City...

cc2 - another angle

cc3 - closer

Another public building

St Philomena Cathedral (sp)
which was completed in 1941 & replaced a smaller church on the...

sp2 - The striking interior
has beautiful stained glass windows from France above the sanctum. A...

sp3 - closeup of pillars
A little history: When the capital of Mysore state was moved from...

The Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel (lm)
sits on a ridge just outside of town with a panoramic view of the...

lm2 - Built in 1921
by EW Fritchley under the commission of Wodeyar IV, to host his most...

lm3 - rotunda
Note the Belgian cut glass light fixtures.

lm4 - Pretty Belgian glass dome

lm5 - elephant in the lobby ;>)
Note the Venetian marble floors.

lm6 - The stately balustrade staircase
of Italian marble, is breathtaking. This visiting couple were pleased to pose...

lm7 - hmmm which chariot should I take?

Nandi at Chamundi Hills
Nandi, Shiva's bull & vehicle, is a huge monolith statue 4.8...

Mysore Mounted Police Headquarters
Located on scenic Lalith Mahal Road (which leads to the Lalith Mahal hotel),...

Clock tower
This small clock tower, constructed during the rule of Wodeyar IV, was...

Unidentified school

Another unidentified school

A neglected treasure

Unidentified colonial building

An old mansion

Babu, my driver
Except for the main palace & church, which we saw as a group, I...

Mysore train station
I couldn't find info on when it was built. The station currently handles...

Platform
Not nearly as crowded or chaotic as Indian train station scenes one sees in...

The Shatabdi Express
We took this daytime express train from Mysore to Chennai. The trip...

article published 05/29/2008

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Fabulous once more, Lorraine. I feel like I have been there with you. I appreciate the "indepth descriptions"and links that you provide, Rainy.
— Beth Warkentin, July 24, 2008

Awesome buildings, especially the main palace - the architecture reminds me of what I saw in Malaysia. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos of Mysore.
— Ben Hsu, June 1, 2008

I have thoroughly enjoyed your latest tour in India . Thank you Lorraine for all the wonderful photos and information that comes with each article. Cheers .
— Margaret Sherwood, May 30, 2008

Mike's fixed it. Another superb article, you've certainly done your home work on this one Rainy. The interior shots of St Philomena Cathedral and the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel are excellent. Full marks, but eight hours with those kids? Tony from England.
— Tony Ethridge, May 30, 2008

Rainy, all your thumbnails have disappeared and have a red cross in the top left corner. Enlarged pictures are okay. I'll check with Mike. Tony from England.
— Tony Ethridge, May 30, 2008

Hi Fred,
I am "goest" to Cambodia/Laos I hope ;o) found a perfect tour, 1 week in each. I had wanted to go to Sri Lanka but my govt warns against going there ;o(
— Lorraine Brecht, May 29, 2008

Magnifique!
Your vast knowledge of exotic architecture and your research expertise really shine in this journal, Rainy. It's hard to imagine that we have only one more of them to savour: whither goest thou next Winter?
— Fred Perry, May 29, 2008

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