Mysore is one of the loveliest cities in south India, known for it palaces, gardens, and temples. While I love Bangalore, and it is my home base in India, I love spending time in Mysore to enjoy the peaceful vibe the city has to offer. March in Mysore is hot, usually sunny, and perfect for enjoying the local attractions. On my recent trip, I rediscovered some places I’d been to before as well as finding some new places I’d not visited.
I arrived in Mysore on a Sunday afternoon and took some time to wander and do a little silk shopping. Silk is a very big part of the economy in Mysore and for good reason. I purchased some lovely scarves on this trip – perfect gifts for friends and family.
Silk Scarves and a Sari from Mysore
After my silk shopping I wandered a bit around town, took a drive past the Mysore Palace, snapped a few photos, then headed back to the hotel for dinner before the lighting of the Mysore Palace at 7:00 p.m.
The Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace is one of the most beautiful sights to see in Mysore. The palace, designed by the English architect Henry Irwin, was built between 1897 and 1912 and is the fourth palace to stand on this site. The Palace served as the home of the Wadiyar or Wodeyar Kings who ruled Mysore from 1399 until 1947, except for a forty year period when the kingdom was ruled by Hyder Ali and then his son, Tipu Sultan. When India gained her independence in 1947, the monarchy was abolished. At that time, Mysore became part of the Indian Union.
On Sunday evenings and during festival times, 97,000 bulbs illuminate the palace, turning the elegant magical.
Illuminated Mysore Palace
There are three other palaces in Mysore and on this trip I had the chance to visit one of them, The Lalitha Mahal.
The Lalitha Mahal, Mysore
This palace was built in 1931 by the Maharaja of Mysore to host the Viceroy of India and other important guests. The Lalitha Mahal is now a heritage hotel in Mysore and is the place to be if you want to soak up a bit of elegance and grandeur from a bygone era.
Dining room at the Lalitha Mahal
It is also a great place to enjoy a delicious meal, which is exactly what I did for lunch one afternoon. The beautiful blue dining room, the excellent food, the peaceful terrace just beyond my table – it was the perfect break from sightseeing. I foresee a stop here for the Spirit Guided Journeys group when we are in Mysore next November.
There are so many more places to see in Mysore, and so many more stops that I made on my trip. Check back for more updates from my March 2015 journey to Mysore. And take a look at the October/November itinerary for the Spirit Guided Journeys sojourn to southern India if you want to come along and see Mysore for yourself.
Blessings and Namaste,
Kelley