Things to do in Mysore
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Vinayaka Mylari
Locals line up for the dosas (paper-thin, lentil-flour pancakes) and soft Mysore-style idlis (rice dumplings) served with delicious coconut chutney at this decades-old operation. A masala dosa and coffee make a great breakfast or lunch.
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Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium
Not the cheapest place, but the selection is extensive and there’s no pressure to buy.
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Maharaja's Palace
The fantastic profile of the walled Indo-Saracenic Maharaja's Palace, the seat of the maharajas of Mysore, graces the city's skyline. An earlier palace burnt down in 1897 and the present one, designed by English architect Henry Irwin, was completed in 1912 at a cost of Rs 4.5 million.
The palace's interior - a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours - is undoubtedly over the top, but it includes awe-inspiring carved wooden doors and mosaic floors, as well as a series of historically interesting paintings depicting life in Mysore during the Edwardian Raj. Hindu temples within the palace grounds include the Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple; its gopuram (gatewa…
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Swaasthya Ayurveda Retreat Village
For an exceptionally peaceful and refreshing ayurvedic vacation, head the Swaasthya Ayurveda Retreat Village, where you can spend some time in quiet meditation and feel your senses feast on the lush greenery, the aromatic herb gardens, the simple vegetarian food and the gurgling sounds of the Cauvery River. Daily rates include basic yoga sessions; for specific ayurvedic treatments, there are a range of special packages on offer. Book well in advance.
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Devaraja Market
Dating from Tipu Sultan’s reign, the spellbinding Devaraja Market is a lively bazaar that combines both the ancient and Indian faces of India. International brands compete for space here with local traders selling traditional items such as flower garlands, spices and conical piles of kumkum (coloured powder used for bindi dots), and their unique co-existence makes for some great photo-ops. Refresh your bargaining skills before shopping!
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Rail Museum
A must-see. Located behind the train station, this museum bears testimony to the stylish way in which the royals rode the railways in the past. The chief exhibit is the Mysore maharani’s saloon, a wood-panelled beauty dating from 1899. There are also five steam engines, each with its own story, and a sprinkling of instruments and memorabilia from the Indian Railways’ chequered past.
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Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
Built in 1861 as the royal auditorium, the Jaganmohan Palace, just west of the Maharaja’s Palace, houses the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, where large crowds gather to check out a collection of kitsch objects and regal memorabilia. The collection includes some fantastic and rare musical instruments, Japanese art, and paintings by the noted artist Raja Ravi Varma.
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Sri Chamundeswari Temple
At a lofty height of 1062m, on the summit of Chamundi Hill, stands the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dominated by a towering 40m-high gopuram (entrance gateway). It’s a fine half-day excursion, offering spectacular views of the city below; you can take bus 201 (Rs10, 30 minutes) that rumbles up the narrow road to the summit. A return autorickshaw trip will cost about Rs250.
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Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre
Set on 16 acres of gardens, the classy Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre is a place that derives its therapies from ancient scriptures and prescriptions. A wide range of treatments are on offer, as well as basic training programs. It’s wise to visit with some time on your hands; the best deals are the overnight-stay packages (Indian/foreigner from Rs9300/US$269).
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Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
A branch of the Bhopal-based Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, this museum functions primarily as a cultural centre and exhibition space showcasing arts from rural India. Housing excellent rotating exhibitions and a souvenir shop, the centre organises two-week workshops in traditional art forms, which are open to the public.
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Government Silk Factory
It’s the best place to shop for Mysore silk, given that the exclusive fabric is made at this very place and thus comes at its cheapest. Behind the showroom is the factory, where you can drop by between 7.30am and 4pm to see how the fabric is made. There’s also a factory showroom on KR Circle, open from 10.30am to 7.30pm, barring Sundays.
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Mysore City Tour
Mysore City Tour leaves from the KSTDC Hotel Mayura Hoysala. This comprehensive tour takes in city sights plus Chamundi Hill, Srirangapatnam and Brindavan Gardens. It's a long day, but likely to leave you breathless. Bookings can be made at the KSTDC Transport Office or at travel agencies around town.
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Hotel RRR
Classic Andhra-style food is belted out at this ever-busy eatery, and you might have to queue for a table if you walk in during lunch. One item to try is the piping-hot veg thali (Rs43) served on banana leaves. Some meaty options are available, too. There’s a second branch on Sri Harsha Rd.
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Mysore Palace
Among the grandest of India’s royal buildings, the fantastic Mysore Palace was the former seat of the Wodeyar maharajas. The old palace was gutted by fire in 1897; the one you see now was completed in 1912 by English architect Henry Irwin, at a cost of Rs4.5 million.
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Karanji Lake Nature Park
Karanji Lake Nature Park is a place to spy on sundry bird species, including great and little cormorants, purple and grey herons, egrets, black ibises, rose-ringed parakeets, green bee-eaters and painted storks, as well as several kinds of butterfly.
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Parklane Hotel
Choose from a wide selection of Indian, Continental, Chinese and Mexican dishes at this popular restaurant-bar, where food is served by candlelight at night, with occasional live music. Occasional barbecue nights have a special range of kebabs and grills on offer.
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Sandalwood Oil Factory
Buy authentic incense sticks and pure sandalwood oil (Rs650 for 5ml!) at this factory, located about 2km southeast of the Maharaja’s Palace, off Mananthody Rd. Guided tours are also available to show you around the factory, and explain how the products are made.
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Dynasty
There's a touch of class to this ground-floor restaurant, with its check tablecloths, intimate booths and low lighting. The same menu of reliable Indian and Continental standards is also served on the rooftop, with views of the palace and Chamundi Hill.
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Emerge Spa
Mysore’s spa operations are spearheaded by the slick Emerge Spa, where you can drop by for an hour’s ayurvedic massage starting around Rs750, or choose from a range of Balinese massage, hydrotherapy and beauty treatments.
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Jayalakshmi Vilas Complex Museum
This museum, housed in a grand mansion, specialises in folklore. A wooden puppet of the 10-headed demon Ravana, leather shadow puppets, rural costumes and a 300-year-old temple cart are part of its curious collection.
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Tiger Trail
This delightful restaurant specialising in tandoori dishes serves decent food in a courtyard that twinkles with torches and fairy lights at night. There’s often live classical Indian music performances.
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Bombay Tiffanys
For traditional Indian sweets, Bombay Tiffanys has a solid reputation. Those with a sweet tooth could try the local delicacy Mysore pak (a sweet made from chickpea flour, sugar and ghee).
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Om Shanthi
Om Shanthi is a byword for excellent veg food in Mysore. Its special South Indian thali (Rs80) is really quite special, as is the hearty breakfast platter of puris and vegetables (Rs25).
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Café Coffee Day
Part of the pan-Indian chain of coffee shops, this is currently where Mysore’s young generation hangs out. The open-air terrace is a particularly good spot for that steaming cup of cappuccino.
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La Gardenia
This place serves tasty and well-presented food in a sophisticated environment. In case you’ve tired of the local Indian options, this is a nice place to dig into some tasty Continental fare.
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