A city for every kind of traveler, Mysore is the cultural capital of Karnataka that invites people to step back into the past of the bygone era through historical splendors. It’s the 3rd most crowded city within the state that is brimming with intricate architecture, royal heritage, and scenic beauty of nature. Combine this with lakes, gardens, waterfalls, and a memorable shopping experience and we bet that you would want to visit this place time and time again – to encounter experiences that will surely change your way of looking at your life.
From Mysore Pak to Mysore Masala Dosa, Mysore Silk Sarees, and Mysore Paintings, each of these represent the best of this city in its own way. These specialties with the best sightseeing spots that receive a huge influx of visitors make Mysore a favorable destination to explore in South India.
If you’re looking to cover the top spots on the coming weekend with our Mysore Darshan Packages, then this list would work best for you. Make sure to keep it handy whenever you pack your bags next time. Don’t forget to carry a good quality camera along to capture some amazing shots that will be worth uploading on your social media profiles like Instagram.
The top 4 points of interest for tourists are as follows:
1. Mysore Palace
Counted amongst the popular tourist places to visit in Mysore, Mysore Palace or Amba Vilas Palace boasts an exquisite location with a stunning Indo-Saracenic style of architecture that catches the attention of people from far and wide. It is considered as one of the biggest palaces in India that earlier served as the residence of the Wodeyar Dynasty who ruled the city for seven centuries.
Dating its history back to the 20th century, Mysore Palace exhibits a fine blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic structures that make it truly a masterpiece for locals as well as foreign travelers. You can step into its premises through the 4 majestic arched gates that take you to a sprawling garden surrounding the area from all sides. There is also a Private Darbar, a Darbar Hall, Sri Lakshmi Ramana Swami Temple, and the Royal Howdah within the palace that are worth exploring.
Try to visit the Mysore Palace in the evening as the authorities organize a light and sound show which shouldn’t be missed at any cost. Also, the festival of Vijaya Dashami is celebrated here with great zest and enthusiasm. During this time of the year, the palace is beautifully decorated like a bride, making it look even more mesmerizing.
2. Brindavan Gardens
Sprawling over an area of 60 acres of land, Brindavan Gardens of Mysore is another point of interest that is frequently visited by all those who are in search of solace and solitude under one roof. It is a great place for individuals to enjoy an escapade away from the maddening crowd on their Mysore tour and is undeniably a go-to place for families to have a fun-filled picnic with their children.
Built in the year 1932 across Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, Brindavan Garden has well-manicured grass with flower beds, a botanical park, and verdant landscapes that create a picture of a perfect view that is worth capturing. Here you can also enjoy the well-synchronized magical fountain show that is scheduled every evening from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM on weekends. Adding cherry on the cake is the boating which adds a fun element to your visit to this garden.
The entry fee to soak in the picturesque beauty of the Brindavan Garden is INR 50 per head for adults and INR 10 per head for children. In case you’re carrying a DSLR, you’ll need to pay INR 100 for it and the recommended exploration time would be 3-4 hours.
3. Mysore Zoo
The next destination that deserves to be included on your itinerary list of Mysore Darshan Packages is the Mysore Zoo. Also referred to as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore Zoo provides shelter to a diverse range of fauna and flora in their natural habitat.
From aquatic to terrestrial birds, from big to small cats, and from primates to reptiles, there are nearly 168 species of wildlife creatures that can be seen here within the sanctuary. Not only this but it is the only zoo in the country that serves as a home to gorillas. Other exotic and rarest animals and birds include Tapir, Otters, HornBill, Love Birds, brightly colored Flamingos, Pelican, African Elephants, Alligators, star-studded Turtles, etc.
The Mysore Zoo is also renowned for its jaw-dropping scenic beauty that will surely make your day the moment you enter its gate. Various educational programs such as Summer Camps, Youth Clubs, and Literary Competitions are also held within the park to educate people about the importance of wildlife.
Please note that the entry fee to visit the park on weekdays is INR 50 for adults and INR 20 for children between 5 to 12 years of age. On weekends, you’ll be asked to pay INR 60 per person for adults and INR 30 per person for kids.
4. Chamundeshwari Temple
Your trip to Mysore will remain incomplete if you didn’t get time to pay heed to Chamundeshwari Temple. Perched atop the Chamundi hills, the Chamundeshwari Temple is a traditional Hindu pilgrimage site that is dedicated to Goddess Durga and possesses a Dravidian architectural style with a breathtaking backdrop of natural beauty that is no less than a treat to watch.
Goddess Chamundeshwari is the main deity of this temple. Here you can also find the idols of Nandi and the demon Mahishasura adorning the site in their own way. Other features that enhance the overall beauty of this temple are intriguing pillars, silver gates, and a 7-tier gopuram that draws wanderers, explorers, and sightseeing lovers from all parts of the world in large numbers every year.
To reach the temple premise, you need to climb at least 1000 steps to be at the top of the peak. It can be a little challenging in the beginning, but once you’re there, you’ll realize that it is worth all your effort as it offers a 360-degree view of the entire city and surrounding areas with the famous Lalitha Mahal Palace in Mysore.
The above-mentioned list comprises a mix of attractions for people with varied interests. Depending on your mood and holiday style, you can pick the ones that help you make the most of your getaway.
No matter how many days you’re traveling to Mysore, the city keeps you hooked throughout the time with a long list of tourist places that seem to be not-ending. These include Shuka Vana, Jaganmohan Palace, Bonsai Garden, Rail Museum, Karanji Lake, St. Philomena’s Church, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, GRS Fantasy Park, Edmuri Falls, Folklore Museum, Trinesvaraswamy Temple, Srikanteswara Temple, Dr. Ambedkar’s Park, and many more.
If you need any kind of help with your Mysore trip, you can get in touch with our professionals. We at Mysore Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, present all-inclusive and customized travel packages that can be altered as per your choice. Our team of experts doesn’t mind going the extra mile to add inclusions to your Mysore tour package and always strive to offer the best of our services so that you can have the best time of your life. Don’t forget to leverage the benefits of discount coupons available with us to enjoy your trip at reasonable prices. Please fill out the Contact Us form to know more about our services in detail.
How to Reach Mysore?
By Air: Mysore Airport is the domestic airport to the city that operates direct flights from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa, and Kochi. For international travelers, the most convenient option is the Kempegowda International Airport. After deboarding your flight, you can take the road route to travel to your desired destination.
By Train: Catch a train to Mysore Junction to experience a comfortable railway journey to Mysore. It is located 2 km away from the city center and is well-served by various short and long-distance trains from the metro cities of India. From there at the railway station, you can look for local transport like auto-rickshaws and buses that help you further commute within the city.
By Road: Lastly, Mysore also maintains a good network of highways and expressways that connect the city to the other neighboring areas of South India through many private and state-owned buses. You can also choose to self-drive your 4-wheeler to get to Mysore in your utmost comfort. For your ease, a list of top car rental companies in Mysore is also available from where you can book a cab with an experienced chauffeur to take you around the area whenever your mind pleases.
