Mysore a.k.a Mahishi-ooru

Decided to try some shots with my camera over the weekend - booked ticket for a 1-day sight seeing tour in Mysore via KSTDC(Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation).Never been on a conducted tour before with lots of junta, hence thought of trying this out :)

Mysore is considered to be the place wherein Goddess Chamundi(Durga) slained the daemon Mahishasur. This town was prviously called as 'Mahishi-ooru'.

Tour :
1) Chennarayapatna - famous for wooden toys - went to a Shop

2) Srirangapatna - Tipu Sultan's Capital.There were 4 wars that were fought here, and Tipu was killed in the last(4th) war by the Britishers.

2.a) Daria Daulat - Tipu's Summer Palace
Amazing paintings on the walls of the palace.Photography not allowed inside.The walls(paintings) have been protected with wooden structures(green sheets in the photo) to guard them.

2.b) Tipu's Fort - one of the strongest forts ever built(now in ruins).Britishers ,during the fourth war, brought the Main Palace (inside the Fort) down.There was supposedly only one entrance to the fort; during the 4th war, Tipu's Defence Minister betrayed him and revealed the secret entrance to the Britishers, via which they could enter the city,invade and kill Tipu.The photos show the secret entrance and the place where Tipu was killed.





2.c) Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - This is a 1200 year old temple inside the Fort. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Adishesha(the hooded serpent). The temple has a beautiful blend of Hoysala and Vijayanagara Architecture.From the 'Sri Ranganatha swamy', this town gets the name 'Srirangapatna'.

3) St.Philomina's Church - nice church , though i couldnt find anything great or exceptionally splendid about it.

4) Mysore Palace - One of the must see places in Mysore. This palace was built over a period of 15 years at an estimated cost of 42lakhs then.All the materials that have been used to build this palace were imported from foreigh countries. I was spellbound by the Indo-Sarcenic architecture.There were traces of Gothic architecture at some places. The marriage and private halls inside the Palace were amazingly beautiful. The walls were beautiful painted with various instances of Mysore and royal kingdom processions. Wooden roofs with intricate carvings were treat for the eyes.One could also see the Royal memorabilia inside the palace.Photography is not allowed inside the palace, hence couldnt capture some of the finest pieces of art.

5) Krishnaraja Sagar Dam and Brindavan Gardens
Built by Vishweswaraya during the rule of Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar, KRS dam is a fine creation that irrigates the Mandya and the neighbouring districts.Mandya is called the sugar capital also, one can find only Sugarcane crops(and some paddy) here - the area is irrigated by the KRS dam. Govt has provided enough aquaducts for this region.

Bridavan Gardens is situated at the base of KRS dam.Couple of years back one had to walk on top of KRS dam to reach Brindavan Gardens, but now Government has constucted a different road and parking facilities to reach the base of the gardens directly.Highyl crowded place - didnt feel like taking snaps.

Pics can be found here

Note:
1) Do not take this trip on a holiday, as the places are highly crowded
2) Mysore palace - must see
3) Cheap tour and places are covered fast; Credits to KSTDC and to the tour guide
4) Not a tour worth photography

Costs:
Tour Ticket Cost (KSTDC): 435 INR
Entry Tickets at Srirangapatna+Mysore Palace+Brindavan Gardens : 40INR
Camera Locker Charges @ Mysore Palace: 10INR
Camera Charges @ Brindavan Gardens: 40INR