KARANJI VILASA

This palace was built for second princess. The construction started in 1902 and was completed in 1932, it is built in indo-greek style and encompasses 38 acres of land. This palace is located next to "Karanji Kere" lake on the way to Lalithamahal palace.

RAJENDRA VILAS

This was built during 1822 and 1838 and is atop the chamundi hills. This palace was re-constructed by "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth". The royal family were visiting this palace for excursion. "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth" was being taught philosophy and english here in this palace. This palace has been built in indo-british style.

Standing near the palace at the view point, one can enjoy the panoramic view of Mysore(Mysooru) city. We can also see Biligiri hill (B. R. Hills) ranges, Nilgiri hill ranges and the backwaters of KRS dam (Brindavan Gardens) from here. This palace was a hotel for some time and currently this is crumbling without any maintenance. Visitors are not allowed to this palace.

The City Palace in its wondrous loud glitz towers over everything else in Mysore(Mysooru), not really in height but definitely in grandeur. On Sundays and during Dussehra the entire palace comes alight, framed with 50,000 light bulbs. Towering columns, glistening marble floors, ornate arches, light filtering in through stained glass panels and ivory inlaid doors make this a really royal treat.

Don’t miss the bejewelled golden throne and the quirky howdah (in which the Raja would sit atop his elephant) with red and green lights to tell the mahout to Stop or Go! A part of the Maharaja’s Residence has been turned into a museum with displays of old costumes and weaponry.

Mysore(Mysooru) has many interesting museums and art galleries. The Railway Museum has a 19th century specimen that the queen used, complete with a western style commode so she could ease herself with ease. The Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery has a fabulous collection of Raja Ravi Varmas, opulent paintings of royalty and scenes from the myths, as well as some Nicholas Roerich pieces. The Folklore Museum has an interesting collection of folk toys and weapons and the Art and Archaeology Museum has some precious antiques.

The Mysore(Mysooru) Zoo is said to be among the best maintained in India. In the mornings the tigers are let out of their cages to roam in the comparatively more natural habitat of the enclosure. The overwhelming neo-Gothic St. Philomena’s Cathedral is one of the largest in India. The Devaraja Fruit and Vegetable Market comes alive on the other side of your camera. Heaps of crimson red chillies and yellows and greens mingle with local colour to become a photographer’s dream.

On Chamundi Hill is a temple to Goddess Chamundi, a form of the Female Power ‘Shakti’. It commemorates Her victory over the demon bull Mahishasur after whom Mysore(Mysooru) is named. Coming down the hill is the largest Nandi Bull (the vehicle of Shiva) in the country. Towering at a massive 5 meters, carved from a single rock in 1659 this sculpture is really a must-see.

The Brindavan Gardens (19 km from the city) are famous for their musical fountains. Coloured footlights light up the shooting sprays that dance to accompanying music! It actually is part of a huge dam, the Krishnarajasagar, that forms a 130 sq km lake and fuels a power station.

The 800-year-old Hoysala temple, Sri Mahalingeshwara (12 km) has been restored to glory by the local villagers under the guidance of Architectural Survey of India and is worth a visit.

On a river island in the Cauvery, 15 km from Mysore(Mysooru), is a wetland birds haven. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary has resident flocks of ibis, egrets, cormorants, storks, spoonbill ducks, darters and others that are best viewed in the morning or afternoons. It can be accessed by road and boats will take you around the island for a fruitful and enjoyable trip.