Mysore Tourism

Mysore tourism offers beautiful architecture, gorgeous museums and mouth-watering food. The best time to explore the city is between October and February. The weather stays cool and pleasant during this period, making festivals like Dussehra a delight. The city can also be visited in the summer since it does not have excessively high temperatures. Temperatures fall during the monsoon, while humidity levels go up a little. Mysore is a round-the-year destination for tourists.

The wonders of Mysore tourism include the iconic Chamundeshwari Temple which worships Goddess Chamunda. This temple is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas in the country. It is also home to the Mysore Palace, arguably one of Karnataka’s biggest tourist landmarks and one of India’s most-visited architectural and cultural marvels. The palace will leave you spellbound with its entrance structure, domes and garden. Mysore is famous for the Dussehra festival which is held over ten days. It is also known for its iconic products like Mysore Sandal Soap, Mysore Pak sweets, Mysore Ink, Mysore paintings, Mysore Betel Leaves, Mysore Peta and Mysore Silk Sarees. These are some of the many aspects that add to the fame and enduring legacy of Mysore.

You should plan your Mysore tourism itinerary for at least two nights and three days. This is because the city and its surroundings contain multiple landmarks for you to explore. During this period, you can cover attractions like the Mysore Zoo, Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens, Srirangapatna and others. However, if you only have one day to spare, then you should visit the Mysore Palace, Karanji Lake and Chamundeshwari Temple before calling it a day with some shopping.

Mysore tourism offers fantastic connectivity to almost every city in India. The Bangalore International Airport is the nearest one to the city and is 170 km away. You can take a flight to this airport and then get on a 3-hour cab or a KSRTC bus to reach your destination. There are many buses running from major South Indian cities to Mysore, including both private and state buses. The city is well connected to other Indian cities by train. You can also drive down to Mysore via the State Highway 17 and National Highway 209.

Mysore tourism package is quite easy to plan for those who stay in Bangalore. The garden city is only 143 km away from Mysore which gives people ample opportunities to plan periodic weekend trips to Mysore. You can reach Mysore in only 2 hours and 35 minutes from Bangalore. You can either drive down through the SH-17 or NH-209. You can take a KSRTC or private bus as well to reach your destination. You can also reach Mysore in 2-3 hours via train from Bangalore.

If you are planning to include the biggest attractions to your Mysore tourism package, then you should not miss out these fantastic ones! You should undoubtedly add the Mysore Palace whose structure was made in 1912. The paclae is famous for its Dussehra celebration, awe-inspiring architecture and rich history. It lies on Sayyaji Rao Road and opens at 10 AM for visitors. Remember to check out the light and sound show here at the Mysore Maharaja Palace. You may also travel to the Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace, which was built for the eldest daughter of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1905. This palace also contains three interesting museums, 125 rooms and several architectural wonders. You should also check out South Asia’s second-biggest church, St. Philomena’s Church at Lourdes Nagar. Visit the wonderful Bylakuppe Buddhist Golden Temple, the second-biggest settlement of Tibetans outside their native region. It lies 80 km away from Mysore and was founded in 1933 by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche. The famous Chamundeshwari Temple should also be a part of your trip.

Mysore tourism is all about exploring some of India’s most heavenly local cuisine. You should try the Vadas, which have a delightful stuffing and are usually served with chutney and sambar. Idlis or rice cakes (steamed) are other attractions that come with sambar and chutney. While in Mysore, do not miss the renowned Mysore Pak, which is made with chickpea flour, ghee and cardamom. It has a signature shape and taste that is unlike any other. Kori Gassi is another local delight which fuses coconut milk, chicken and spices. It can be enjoyed with steamed rice. This traditional chicken curry of Mangalore will warm your heart and wow your taste buds!

If you are interested in a food trail during your Mysore tourism journey, then you should start with Hotel Hanumanthu. This is a 1930s restaurant which offers the best chicken or mutton Pulao. The recipe has remained the same over all these decades. The restaurant always stays packed from early morning onwards. You can also try the fabulous Korma, mutton chops and Paya here along with liver mutton fry. The Vinayaka Mylari Hotel is famous for inventing the signature Mysore masala dosa. The joint is 80 years old and serves the best dosas and idlis. Tegu Mess is a charming eatery that opened 50 years back and serves affordable yet lip-smacking Kannada food. Check out the Ragi Mudde and also the sumptuous Neer Dosa, Ghee Rice, Mutton Curry and Idlis here. Hotel RRR is also a must-visit for its fabulous chicken or mutton Biryani. There are a few vegetarian Thalis that are also quite popular here.

Shopping is an integral part of any Mysore tourism package. You can visit the Devaraja Market which is known for its fragrances, jewellery, fruits, vegetables and sweets. The timings of the market are between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Guru Sweets Mart is a great place to buy famous Mysore sweets including the Mysore Pak, Pedas, Laddoos, Barfis and more. The Heritage is another must-visit for shoppers, offering shawls, clothing, carpets, rugs and the finest Mysore sarees.

You can always include a few nearby destinations as part of your Mysore tourism plan. You can visit Kabini which was once a hunting trail for the British in India. It is known for its Kabini River and Nagarhole National Park, the biggest destination in the world for Asian elephants. You can also enjoy a jeep and boat safari here. This place is only 24 km away from Mysore, while the Bandipur National Park is 76 km away from it. Bandipur is home to pythons, elephants, sloth bears, deer, panthers and other fascinating wildlife. The BR Hills are only 84 km away from Mysore, offering river rafting, fishing, trekking and a lot more to tourists. It is famous for its Billigiri Rangaswamy Temple and the popular BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.