Mysore

Mysore is the second-largest city in the state of Karnataka, India. Located at the base of the Chamundi Hills about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of the state capital Bangalore, it is spread across an area of 128.42 km2 (50 sq mi).

Until 1947, Mysore served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. The kingdom was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty, except for a brief period in the late 18th century when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan usurped power. Patrons of art and culture, the Wodeyars contributed significantly to the cultural growth of the city. The cultural ambience and achievements of Mysore earned it the sobriquet Cultural capital of Karnataka.

Mysore is noted for its palaces, including the Mysore Palace, and for the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. It lends its name to the Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, the Mysore Peta (a traditional silk turban) and the garment known as the Mysore silk saree. Tourism is the major industry, while information technology has emerged as a major employer alongside the traditional industries.Mysore Airport also known as Mandakalli Airport is an airport serving the city of Mysore, Mysore depends on rail and bus transport for inter-city connections. The city was the location of the first private radio station in India. Mysore houses Mysore University, which has produced several notable authors, particularly in the field of Kannada literature.

Tourist Places Near Mysore

There are many tourist places around Mysore and places of interest around Mysore. The tourist places near Mysore and places to visit around Mysore are listed below. One can enjoy the zenith of Hoysalas architecture in the exquisite Chennakesava Temple in Somanathapur and one can see the bewildering verity of wildlife on the Bandipur National Park. The ancient pilgrimage centers of Nanjangud, Talakad and Srirangapatna Temples are not only pilgrim centers but also a tourist destinations.

Major tourist places in and around Mysore and places to visit in and around Mysore city with brief details of tourist places near Mysore are listed below. Happy sight seeing........!!!

Have a brief look at the Major places to visit in and around Mysore:

Srirangapatna is an island fortress-city is of great religious, cultural and historic importance. It is situated about 14 Kms. from Mysore and 125 Kms. from Bangalore.

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is situated at 4 Kms. from Srirangapatna and 19 Kms. from Mysore. The Bird Sanctuary is named after Sri Ranganatha Swamy, an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu. It is an island on the river Cauvery.

Nanjangud is a taluk headquarters in Mysore district and is an important center of pilgrimage. Nanjangud is on the banks of the River Kapila (Kabini) tributaries of the Cauvery River.

The Shivanasamudra Waterfalls, literally meaning Shiva's Sea are situated at a distance of 85 kms from Mysore and 139 kms from Bangalore. The island town of Shivanasamudra divides the river Cauvery into two different falls which display a captivating sight.

Talakadu also Known as 'Talakad' is on the banks of the river Cauvery. Talakadu is situated 45 km from Mysore and 185 km from Bangalore, is known for its sand dunes.

Melkote is an important pilgrim center that about 51 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore. It lies in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district.

Biligiri Rangana Hills, commonly called BR Hills, is a dense hill range found in the south eastern part of Karnataka and which is a border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The area is called Biligiri Ranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.

Somanathapura, a village situated on the left bank of the river Cauvery boasts one of the last and the grandest of Hoysala monuments - Chennakeshava Temple (also called Kesava or Keshava temple) built 742 years ago. There are three temples enshrined within the premises.

Halebid situated at a distance of about 27 Kms. north-west of Hassan town and about 7 Kms. east of Belur, was once the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire. The place was known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra founded in the early 11th century A.D.

Belur, a taluk headquarters in Hassan district, situated on the banks of Yagachi River at a distance of 38 Kms. from Hassan was known as Velapuri, Velur, Belapur and Dakshina Varanasi in earlier times. It was once the capital of the Hoysalas before Dwarasamudra (Halebidu).

Bandipur National Park is one of India's best known sanctuaries, and is an important Project Tiger reserve. Bandipur National Park is about 80 kms from Mysore city and is a peaceful retreat in nature's lap far from the din of the city.