Visiting Mysuru: the palace, Chamundi Hills and Brindavan Gardens

The palace is in the middle of the city and is where most visits start.

• Mysore Palace was the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore.[1]
• The present building was begun in 1897 and completed in 1912, after a fire destroyed the earlier palace. Its design is attributed to the British architect Henry Irwin.[1]
• It is one of the largest palaces in India and a prominent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.[1]

You can drive to the top or climb the old steps.

• The Chamundi Hills are about 13 km east of Mysuru, with the Chamundeshwari Temple at the top.[2]
• A stone stairway of more than 1,000 steps, built in 1659, leads to the summit.[2]
• About halfway up is a statue of the bull Nandi, 4.9 m tall and carved from a single piece of black granite.[2]

The gardens are outside the city and are usually visited towards evening.

• Brindavan Gardens are 12 km from Mysuru, beside the Krishnarajasagara Dam across the Kaveri river.[3]
• The gardens were laid out between 1927 and 1932 in three terraces with water fountains. They are open to the public and an entry fee is charged.[3]

The city is at its busiest during the festival, so book the car well ahead.

• Mysuru holds a ten-day Dasara festival and is described as the cultural capital of Karnataka.[4]
• Since the early 19th century the festival has been held on the palace grounds each year, ending with an elephant procession on Vijayadashami.[1]

• From Bengaluru, an early start gives you the palace and Chamundi Hills in the day and the gardens in the evening.
• A round trip keeps the same car with you for all three, and for an overnight stay.
• Check palace and garden timings with official sources before you travel, especially during Dasara.