From the busy schedule of my professional life, I took a break. We flew from Dubai into my native Kerala State, Southern India. The affectionate faces of my son, daughter and my grandchildren, greeted us at Kochi airport. The scorching heat was unbearable. The familiar scenery of streams, coconut palms and lush green meadows mesmerized me. We miss this feast of Nature in our lives. On the way to my daughter’s apartment, we made a plan to visit Mysore, the best tourist spot of Karnataka State bordering my native state. The evening became very pleasant with thundershowers.
On the following day, we travelled to Bangalore in the night by a luxury bus. Early next morning we were there. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka State and it is known as the Garden City of India. The weather was more pleasant than in Kerala. That evening it rained cats and dogs, in Bangalore.
Mysore is situated at 140kms from Bangalore. Foreign tourists have to pass through Bangalore to go to Mysore. The most convenient airport for them to fly to is Mumbai and from there, take a domestic flight by Indian Airlines, or any of the private airlines (Jet Airways – Air Sahara, SpiceJet, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, etc.) to Bangalore. Regular train services operate from Bangalore to Mysore. Government transport buses and private buses ply between Bangalore and Mysore at regular intervals. Conducted sightseeing tours are also available from Bangalore.
We boarded the train, Shatabdi Express (The Centenary Express) at Bangalore, and reached Mysore at 13-00 hrs. We stayed there for four nights and five days. I would never forget our stay in the most beautiful place I have ever visited in my life.
Please allow me to brief a little about Mysore.
Sandalwood and Rosewood forests surround Mysore. It has a very rich heritage and mesmerizing old-fashioned charm. The magnificent palaces, colourful gardens and well-planned buildings captivate the tourists. The broad roads have a green house effect with the branches of the trees on both sides of the roads meeting in parabolic arches providing perennial shade. It will be love at first sight and the charm leaves none. It has a very flourishing market for exotic sandalwood and incense and Mysore silk is famous as well as the sculptures on stone. It is a paradise for shoppers.
HOTELS
The accommodation facilities are suited to every pocket. One can choose from the most expensive to the average one. Lalitha Mahal, Ramanshree Comforts, Mayura Hoysala, Dasparakah Paradise, King’s Court, etc. are among good hotels.
CLIMATE
It is pleasant weather throughout the year with warm summers and cool winters. From June to August the rainy season prevails.
I would like to list the places we visited as below:
THE MYSORE PALACE
Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyar family since the 14th century. Only for a period of 40 years, Haider Ali and Tippu Sultan ruled till the British took over. The architectural features of the palace are breathtaking with towers, domes, arches and arcades. The palace is ornamented with beautiful carvings and art works. The wall paintings are par excellence. The doors are decorated in grandeur and carved in exquisite style. They open to large and airy rooms decorated with unimaginable luxury. A certain charm pervades the visitors and they will be literally carried back to the ancient times of the Maharajas, to the age of pomp and pageantry and just and popular rule by the benevolent kings. A coolness spreads through our body once we set our foot on the floor of the palace. (Inside the palace all are required to walk bare footed)
ST. PHILOMENA’S CHURCH
This is one of the oldest churches in India and situated in town. With Gothic architecture and windows with stained glass, it looms high in the sky, mammoth and eye-catching. When we visited the church, Easter prayers were going on, and we considered ourselves to be among the blessed souls.
SHRI JAYACHAMARAJENDRA ART GALLERY
A collection of bewitching and beautiful paintings adorns the walls of this great gallery belonging to the bygone era of 1875. They include very traditional paintings by well-known painters. Beautiful statues carved in sandalwood, stone and ivory, great masterpieces of the erstwhile years are exhibited here.
NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK
About 90kms from Mysore, this is a wild life sanctuary for Elephants, Tigers, etc. and about 250 species of birds. There is a river lodge called KABINI here to enable the visitors to view the wild life.
BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE
This is about 80kms from Mysore. This is another sanctuary for tigers. Visitors can see around the park on elephant’s back.
VRINDAVAN GARDENS
Located at 24kms from Mysore city, these gardens sprawl on the banks of Krishnarajasagar dam. It has an area of approximately one acre. The lush green lawns are terraced and multicoloured flowers add charm to the gardens and an ocular feast to the beholders. There are many fountains and these are illuminated on weekends and holidays in the evenings. There are dancing fountains, another attraction the tourists throng to.
SRIRANGAPATNAM
Haider Ali and Tippu Sultan had ruled Mysore for 40 years and this place was the capital city those days. This is located at the banks of River Kaveri and is 15kms from Mysore City and has a fortress. The fort still exhibits the marks of resistance Tippu Sultan showed, before falling to the British. There is a mosque and a temple in the vicinity.
SHIVASAMUDRA
Situated at about 85 kms from Mysore City, River Kaveri surges down a 75-meter deep canyon and forms two waterfalls. The falls are perennial and the beauty is mesmerizing.
CHAMUNDI HILLS
Located at about 13 kms from Mysore City, this temple is on a hill about 335 meters high. Half way down the temple, there is a monolith in granite of a giant bull called the Nandi Bull, which is 4.8 meters high. From the summit of the hill, one can have a panoramic view of the whole of Mysore City, spread in its magical spelndour and in eternal tranquility.
DUSSEHRA FESTIVAL
It will be very appropriate to describe about this festival in Mysore, as was narrated by one of our tour guides.
''During the months of October and November every year, the Dussehra festival is celebrated in Mysore. This is an occasion of music, dance, sports, literary activities, exhibitions and fairs. On the tenth day there is a torch light parade. All the buildings will be illuminated. Mysore becomes the Paradise On Earth.''
How we wished we were in Mysore during the Dussehra festival!!!
We did not forget to taste the Mysore Pak, famous all over India. We also purchased a few silk sarees, a speciality of Mysore. I am a lover of sandalwood and I bought a few cakes of sandalwood soap and a couple of sandal perfumed atomizers.
During the entire Mysore trip of ours, rain continued to fall moderately and intermittently without affecting our outings making the weather very pleasant.
One aspect we were very much impressed with was the hospitality of the people of Mysore. They extended all kinds of co-operation and were never explioting us. We pray this gesture is followed everywhere in India.
Friends, therefore, if you are planning a vacation trip, please place Mysore as No: 1 priority and you will never be disappointed on your decision.
When I returned to Dubai, that night, I fell into a deep slumber, the fragrance of sandalwood and the taste of Mysore Pak haunting me and I dreamt I was a Maharaja.......
Cheers!!! Wish you a Happy Trip to Mysore!!!
