Magnificent Mysore
Mysore - The Gem of South India
Was the erstwhile capital of the Wadayer Kingdom who ruled for 400 years. Famous for its Dusara carnival during the month of October. It is a college town and a heritage city. Popularly called as the airconditioned city of India. Enjoys the most moderate salubrious climate in the whole country with an anual precipitation of 30 inches. Surrounded by two famous rivers, Cauvery in the North and Kabini in the South.To the South of the city is a reserve forest of over thousand acres and a mountain called Chamundi Hill. Atop the mountain is the famous Chamundeswari temple visited by millions of people each year. Many sight seeing attractions with in 2 hours of drive. City has three palaces. The main palace is illuminated each Sunday between 7-8 PM.
Famous for handicrafts, sandal wood and silk. Worth visiting the silk factory and sandalwood oil factory. World famous for Incense and sandal wood soap. Famous for Ayurveda and Yoga. New York Times has listed Mysore as the fourth top most destination for tourists among the 31 most popular destinations.
Thousands of students from various countries study in Mysore. Mysore University is one of the top 10 universities in the country. There are two Universities, two medical, two ayurvedic and four Engineering colleges. World famous for Yoga Gurus, Pattabhi Jois and Krishnamachar and Iyengar. Internationally known for its famous Ayurveda Centre, Indus valley Ayurvedic Centre, where people from more than 50 nationalities regularly come for Ayurveda treatments. Samskrit College in Mysore is one of the oldest schools in the country. Katnataka State is the most beautiful state in the Union. This is the only state in the country, which legally bans cow slaughter.
Location - Getting to IVAC
IVAC is located in Mysore, a convenient 4½ hours drive from Bangalore International Airport. Mysore is well connected by rail and road. The Centre overlooks the magnificent Lalitha Mahal Palace and offers a panoramic view of the city and Chamundi Hill.
Mysore is the ideal springboard for you to plan health and leisure activities.
Mysore Airport
Mysore airport is now operational since May 2010 and is well connected to Bangalore and Chennai International Airports. Kingfisher operates a daily flight from Chennai via Bangalore to Mysore and return.
Local Flight Details: Valid up to 22.05.2011
Bangalore to Mysore:
- Departure 12.00pm - Arrival 12.45pm(Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday )
- Departure 10.30am – Arrival 11.15am ( Tuesday)
Mysore to Bangalore:
- Departure 1.15pm - Arrival 02.00pm(Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday )
- Departure 1.40am – Arrival 12.25pm ( Tuesday)
Mysore to Chennai:
Departure 01.15pm –Arrival 3.25pmChennai to Mysore:
Departure 10.30am –Arrival 12.45pmMysore City
Mysore, located 770m (2527 ft) above sea level and 140 kms (2½ hrs drive) from Bangalore. Once the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty and the throne of Tipu sultan, Mysore, the City of Palaces, even today retains its quaint charm that never fails to mesmerize tourists. The city has an old-world allure, enhanced by its broad shady avenues, well laid out gardens, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, sacred temples and grand structures. Mysore traces its history into the mythological books where there is a reference to Mahisasura, the buffalo-headed demon king who is believed to have lived here. Goddess Chamundeshwari killed this demon and hence Dusshera the festival of victory of good over evil, is celebrated with unprecedented grandeur.
Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace also known as the Amba Vilas Palace is still the residence of the Wodeyars. It is one of the largest palace in India. It was designed by Henry Irwin and built in 1897.
This Indo-Saracenic building has, among other things, a carved silver door, a solid gold throne, a gallery of exquisite paintings, carved mahogany ceilings and a carved, columned Durbar Hall.
On Sunday nights and on some holidays, 97000 light bulbs spectacularly illuminate the Palace between 7 and 8 pm.
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
This art gallery was established in 1875 and has a rare collection of some beautiful paintings from the same era. The gallery is located in Jaganmohan Palace and exhibits paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Svetoslav Roerich and traditional paintings from Mysore. The gallery also houses exquisitely carved statues in sandalwood, ivory and stone.
Chamundi Hill
The Chamundi hill is to the southwest of the town. Half way up the hill is the giant Nandi bull 94.8-meter monolith carved in 1659. On top of the hill is the 2000-year-old Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to the patron goddess of the royal palace. Close to the temple stands the gigantic statue of the demon Mahisasura. The temple is famous for its seven-storied, 40 meter high gopuram. The temple can be accessed on foot by its one thousand steps. |
St. Philomena’s Church
It is one of the oldest churches in Mysore. It is built in the Gothic style and is counted among the largest in India. Stained glass windows and lofty towers give this cathedral an imposing look.
The Mysore Zoo
This zoo was set up under royal patronage and houses some rare and exotic birds and animals. Situated amidst lush green surroundings the zoo has acquired fame for breeding rare animals in captivity.
Brindavan Gardens
The world-renowned Brindavan Gardens are on the terrace of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam, built across the river Cauvery. It is a meticulously planned garden and the musical fountain presents a spectacular harmony of water, colors and music.
Lalitha Mahal Palace
Just a stones throw from IVAC is one of India's most beautiful palaces. The palace was built in 1921 at the orders of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore for the exclusive stay of the then Viceroy of India. Built on a raising ground, the palace was fashioned on the lines of the St. Paul's Cathedral in London and is one of the imposing structures of the Mysore city.
Other Places of Interest
- Srirangapatna - the island fortress of Tipu Sultan (14 kms)
- Bandipur National Park (80 kms)
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (18 kms)
- Somanathapur (35 kms)
- Melkote (50 kms)
- Cauvery Fishing Camp (82 kms)
- Nagarhole National Park & Kabini River Lodge
- Shivasamudram Waterfalls (85 kms)
- B.R.Hills (120 kms)
- Mahadeshwara Hills (142 kms)
IVAC can organize day trips to any of these places on request.
Bangalore City
Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is approximately 150 kms from IVAC. It takes a convenient 2 to 3 to reach IVAC by road. It is famous for its IT and Biotechnology companies. It is also known as the “Silicon Valley” of India. English, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil are widely spoken in Bangalore. Bangalore is famous for yoga centers such as the Vivekananda Kendra and Prashanti Nilaya. It is also the spiritual retreat of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living. Several temples such as the Hare Krishna temple are worth a visit when you are in Bangalore.
State of Karnataka
Karnataka is a state with a rich history and culture. It was ruled by 23 kings over several centuries. It is rich in natural resources and forests. Thousands of species of medicinal plants are grown in Karnataka and it is a house for several Ayurvedic drug-manufacturing companies.
Some of the important townships you pass through on your way to Mysore from Bangalore are:
Ramanagar – famous for its raw silk cocoon market and breath-taking rock formations
Channapattana – famous for wooden toys
Maddur – famous for food preparation called “Vada”
Mandya – famous for sugar mills
Srirangapattana – famous for Ranganatha temple and Cauvery river which is the largest river and irrigates several hundred thousand hectares of land in this area.
Mysore Climate
Mysore has one of the most beautiful climates in India due to it's salubrious location at a good altitude and surrounded by hills.
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