A southern India highlight, seat of the Wodeyar dynasty (1399 until Independence until 1947). The city is well-known for its beautiful buildings and rich history.
Known as city of palaces (most used for a variety of public purposes nowadays), the top highlight is…
The Royal Palace
Considered one of the grandest in India, seat of the Wodeyar dynasty (1399 we use a downloaded guide for touring:
Original burned down in 1897. New one, by British architect, Henry Irwin, in 1912.
Public Durbar Hall
Court yard; marriage hall; origin palace door; ivory embedded carved doors.
Private Durbar Hall; royal furniture.
Hiring the tuktuk driver, Noor, who works from outside our hotel, Parklane , we took in a full day of sites including the Fort town, 16 km away, Sriangapatna. On an island in the Cauvery River, this place was capital of South India in 18th C. Seat of Tipu Sultan and father, Hyder Ali.
Main reason to visit the area is
Tipu’s Summer Palace, a beautiful rosewood and teak structure with muraled walls depicting courtly life and wars against the British.
Awesome beauty.
Murals depicting everyday courtly life as well as battles against the British.
Another different visit was to:
Bailey’s Dungeon
( Bailey died here 1780)
British POWs were held here in 18th century.
Prisoners were chained, standing, to wall posts and immersed in water up to their necks. Ahhhgh.
Early in the morning we climbed Chamundi Hill. Six hundred steps up to huge Nandi (Shiva’s bull) and then another 300 to top.
At top of religiously significant Chamundi Hill.
A bustling village is at top as well. We see a huge wooden cart being prepared for upcoming religious celebration
Also watch the negotiations at a goat auction.
These beauties went for 28,000 rupies ($C 280 each if we heard right!)
A few of the other sights around Mysuru:
Clock tower, Singer Co?, carts of eaten watermelon
Market wandering. We meet Azam who provides to young backpackers/ngo volunteers with a place to meet and hang out.
At the end of the day we do let our driver, Noor, take us to a natural oil store in the Muslim market where we do purchase some of their offerings. Sandlewood a key product here.
Kerry Travels 