Mysore

Mysore is famous for Yoga and it’s wonderful palaces, for it’s very sacred and ancient sites and for it’s magnificent market. Ayurveda is an extremely strong tradition in Mysore and it has a long royal heritage of Ayurvedic healing. The climate is something to write home about as it has mild summers and moderate winters, the average temperature is 28°C in the day and nights hover around 18°C.

The Gem of South India

Climate data for Mysore
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Average high °C (°F)28.6
(83.5)		31.1
(88)		33.6
(92.5)		34.3
(93.7)		32.9
(91.2)		29.2
(84.6)		27.7
(81.9)		28
(82)		28.9
(84)		28.8
(83.8)		27.9
(82.2)		27.5
(81.5)		29.87
(85.74)
Average low °C (°F)16.2
(61.2)		17.9
(64.2)		20.1
(68.2)		21.2
(70.2)		21
(70)		20.1
(68.2)		19.6
(67.3)		19.5
(67.1)		19.3
(66.7)		19.5
(67.1)		18.2
(64.8)		16.5
(61.7)		19.09
(66.39)
Rainfall mm (inches)4.8
(0.189)		5.1
(0.201)		11.6
(0.457)		62.4
(2.457)		145.7
(5.736)		67.3
(2.65)		74.3
(2.925)		78.6
(3.094)		117.6
(4.63)		158.7
(6.248)		63.8
(2.512)		14.3
(0.563)		804.2
(31.662)

A Brief History

Mysore was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar Kingdom who ruled for 400 years. Famous for its Dasara carnival during October. It is a college town and a heritage city. Popularly called the airconditioned city of India, it enjoys the most moderate salubrious climate in the whole country with an annual precipitation of 30 inches, it is lovingly surrounded by two famous rivers, the Cauvery in the North and the Kabini in the South.

To the south of the city is a forest reserve of over a thousand acres and a mountain called Chamundi Hill. Atop the mountain is the famous Chamundeswari temple visited by millions of people each year. There are many sights seeing attractions within 2 hours of drive of the city. The city has three palaces. The main palace is illuminated each Sunday between 7-8 PM.

Mysore is famous for handicrafts, sandalwood and silk. It is worth visiting the silk factory and sandalwood oil factory as Mysore is a World-famous producer of Incense and sandalwood soap. Mysore is also famous for its practice of Ayurveda and Yoga. Ashtanga Yoga was developed in the city of Mysore. The New York Times has listed Mysore as the fourth topmost tourist destination among 31 most popular destinations worldwide.

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 Yoga Gurus, Pattabhi Jois and Krishnamachar and Lyengar all taught in Mysore. Maharaja’s Sanskrit College in Mysore is one of the oldest schools in the country. Mysore is in the state of Karnataka, which apart from being considered as one of the most beautiful states in the Union is the only state in the country, which legally bans the slaughter of cows.

Location – Getting to IVAC

india map 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of Indiaindia map2 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaIVAC 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 1500x469 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of India

Mysore airport is now operational since May 2010 and is well connected to Bangalore and Chennai International Airports. SpiceJet operates a daily flight from Chennai via Bangalore to Mysore and return.
Flights from Mysore – Direct/Via flights ( Same Aircraft )
FLIGHT NOORIGINDESTINATIONDEPARTUREARRIVALFREQUENCYVIAEFFECTIVE
SG 3006MysoreBengaluru02:25 PM03:10 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sun–30 Mar’14
SG 3006MysoreChennai02:25 PM04:50 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunBengaluru30 Mar’14
Flights from Mysore – Connecting flights ( Change of Aircraft )
FLIGHT NOORIGINDESTINATIONDEPARTUREARRIVALFREQUENCYVIAEFFECTIVE
SG 3006 / SG 507MysoreDelhi02:25 PM09:35 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunCHENNAI30 Mar’14
SG 3006 / SG 1087MysoreHubli02:25 PM07:15 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunCHENNAI30 Mar’14
SG 3006 / SG 246MysoreKochi02:25 PM06:05 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunCHENNAI30 Mar’14
SG 3006 / SG 524MysoreKolkata02:25 PM08:25 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunCHENNAI30 Mar’14
SG 3006 / SG 153MysoreMumbai02:25 PM10:00 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunCHENNAI30 Mar’14
Bengaluru (Bangalore) to Mysore – Direct/Via flights ( Same Aircraft )
FLIGHT NOORIGINDESTINATIONDEPARTUREARRIVALFREQUENCYVIAEFFECTIVE
SG 3005BengaluruMysore01:10 PM01:55 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sun–30 Mar’14
Mumbai – Mysore- Connecting flights ( Change of Aircraft )
FLIGHT NOORIGINDESTINATIONDEPARTUREARRIVALFREQUENCYVIAEFFECTIVE
SG 152 / SG 3005MumbaiMysore07:35 AM01:55 PMMon/Wed/Thu/Fri/SunCHENNAI30 Mar’14

Mysore City

Mysore city 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaMysore, located 770m (2527 ft) above sea level and 140 kms (4½ hrs drive) from Bangalore. Once the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty and the throne of Tipu sultan, Mysore, the City of Palaces, even today it retains a 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 Dussara the festival of victory of good over evil, is celebrated with unprecedented grandeur.

Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery

Art gallery 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaThis 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.

St. Philomena’s Church

StPhilomena church 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaIt 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.

Brindavan Gardens

brindavan garden 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaThe 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.

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. Please contact us for more information.

State of Karnataka

karnataka map 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaKarnataka 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 the home of 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 Palace

Mysore Palace 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaThe 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.

Chamundi Hill

Chamundi hill - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaThe 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.

The Mysore Zoo

mysore zoo 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaThis 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

Lalitha Mahal Palace

Lalitha mahal mysore 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaJust 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.

Bangalore City

Bangalore city 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaBangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is approximately 150 kms from IVAC. It takes a convenient 4 to 4.5 hours 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.

Mysore Climate

mysore climate 1 - Mysore - The Southern Gem of IndiaMysore has one of the most beautiful climates in India due to it’s salubrious location at a good altitude and surrounded by hills. The Summers are mild and Winters are temprate.