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Mysore Palace, Illumination
 
Lord Nandi, Chamundi Hill
St. Philomina's Church
Brindavan Gardens
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Mysore
was the capital city of the old Mysore state. the city is situated at
a distance of 138 kms to the soul west of Bangalore. The Mahabharata
refers to the city as "Mahisamati" in connection with an
expedition of the Pandava Prince Sahadeva. Raja Raja Deva - A Chola prince
ruled over Mysore in 9th century. Gangas were ruling over this territory
between 103 and 1022 AD. the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijyanagara and Mysore
kings ruled over the country in succession it is one of the most beautiful,
calm and attracting cities. it is a city of gardens, palaces and
temples. it is also described as fairy land.
MYSORE PALACE :
The main palace built inside a spacious courtyard covers an area of 245 x
156 ft. it is built of massive gray granite. It is mainly
3 storied building dominated by a five storied tower which is about 145 ft
from the ground to the gold flag on its summit. This is built inside a fort
of four gates on cardinal points. It consists of great courtyard, the
marriage (peacock), pavilion, Durbar hall, the Armoury, the music and
drawing room. An image of Shri. Chamaraja Wodeyar is placed under a gold
gilded dome in front of the north gate. in the south of this in
another circle is the image of his highness Shri. Krishna Raja
Wodeyar. The walls on the ground floor has Dasara processions painted
on them by the local painters. the great Durbar hall is on the second
floor and about that are private apartments. the west wall of this
hall adorns the picture stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata the work of the
great painters Ravi Verma and Raja Verma of Travancore.
CHAMUNDI HILL
Chamundi hill
stands at a distance of 3 kilometers to the south east of the fort rising
to a height of 1050 mts above the sea level. it takes its name from
the Goddess Kali or Chamundi, the consort of Shiva, who is worshipped in a
temple on the summit and who is the family deity of Maharaja of
Mysore. the oldest temple on the top of the hills is Mahabaleswara
temple standing to the south of Chamundi temple. Constructed in 13th
century AD. the temple is a fine quadrangular structure with the high
Gopuradwara which is landmark for many miles. there is a huge stucco
figure of Mahishasura who ws killed by Goddess Chamundi. At two
thirds of the way up is a monolithic colossal fig of Nandi of 5 meters
which was worshipped by maharajas.
ST. PHILOMENA'S CHURCH
The
165 Ft and dazzling medieval style stained glass interior of the St.
Philomena's Church is a truly majestic sight. The Gothic structure designed
by French architects is said to be built on the lines of St. Patrick's
Cathedral, New York and the Gothic Church at Cologne in Germany. The
huge church has a crypt in which there is a statue of St. Philomena, a 3rd
century ArchD saint from Greece, in sleeping posture and a piece of her
bone is preserved here at the centre of a beautiful shield. This statue of
St. Philomena is housed in the underground chamber. The many splendours of
medieval architecture are embodied in this unique structure that attracts
the attention of one and all. The Catholic Mission headed by a Bishop
maintains the church.
BRUNDAVAN GARDENS
A pleasant
garden adjacent to the dam constructed across the river Cauveri during the
reign of his highness Shri. Krishnaraja Wodeyar Bahadur. this is
situated at a distance of 12 kms to the North west of Mysore. The
gardens are full of different kinds of artificial waterfalls, colorful
fountains with beautiful plants. An image of Goddess Cauveri is seen in a
niche, on the western wall of the dam, facing east, just at the entrance of
the garden. it holds a pitcher in its front hands out of which water is
made to fall out constantly.
SRI
RANGA PATNA
It
is in the way side of railway station between mysore and Bangalore 19 kms
away from Mysore and is linked by road and rail. This is an
island town enriched by river Cauvery. The temple of LORD SRIRANGANATHA
is said to have been built by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah in 894 AD. This
was once the capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan - "The Tiger
of Mysore". in the 18th century Maratha's attacked Srirangapatna
and forced heavy payments. Hyder drew back the Marathas and saved the
kingdom. In the year 1799 Tipu fought a fierce battle (Battle of
Mysore) against the British and fell bravery defending his capital.
Srirangapatna remains in ruined state recalling the battles fought and
the past glory.
TIPU'S PLACES
TIPU'S
palace, place of Tipu's death, Daria daulat bagh, Juma Masjid, the Gumbaz,
Temples and other tourist spots in and around Mysore -
Varahaswamy temple- Built by Chikkadebaraja Wodeyar.
Destroyed by Tippu Sultan.
Prasana Krishnaswamy temple -
Founded by Krishnaraja Wodeyar in the year 1825.
Trineswara Temple - this is a
large dravidian structure situtaed to the east of the palace.
Laxminarayanaswamy - This is the
oldest temple in the city.
Ranganatha temple - The largest
temple in the state.
Narashima temple - Situated to
the south of Rangnatha temple.
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