In this article, we provide detailed information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist attractions of Mysore. Mysore, officially known as Mysuru, is a historic city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Known for its royal heritage, vibrant culture, and beautiful architecture, Mysore is often referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Karnataka.” The iconic Mysore Palace, the grandeur of Dasara celebrations, and the aroma of its famed Mysore sandalwood make it a must-visit destination.
| About: | Mysore is the second-most populous city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. As the traditional seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, the city functioned as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore for almost six centuries (1399 to 1947). Renowned for its historic architecture, grand palaces like the iconic Mysore Palace, and rich cultural heritage, Mysore is often referred to as the “City of Palaces,” the “Heritage City,” and the “Cultural Capital of Karnataka.” It is also recognized as one of the cleanest cities in India, as per the Swachh Survekshan rankings |
| History: | The word Mysuru is a corrupted version of “mysooru“, which is derived from the word “mahishur” or “Mahishasurana Ooru“, which means the town of Mahishasura in Kannada, the local language. Mysuru has been associated with the Puranic story found in the Devi Bhagavatha. According to the story in the Devi Purana, Mysuru was ruled by the demon King Mahishasura who was a buffalo-headed monster. In response to the prayer by the Gods and Goddesses to save them from the demon, Goddess Parvathi, took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster on top of the Chamundi hill near Mysuru. Hence the hill and the city have the names Chamundi Hill and Mysuru respectively. There is an inscription in Mysuru by the Hoysalas that dates back to the 11th and 12th century. The Mysuru was ruled by Gangas, Chalukyas, Cholas and Hoysalas. After the Hoysalas came, the Vijayanagar Kings and then the Mysuru Yadu dynasty came to power in 1399A.D. They were the feudatories of the Vijayanagar Kings. This dynasty also contributed to temple building in Mysuru. Bettada Chamaraja Wadiyar, the raja of Mysuru rebuilt the fort of Mysuru and made his headquarters and called the city ‘Mahishura Nagara‘ meaning the city of Mahishur. Many inscriptions done in the 17th century and later refer to Mysuru as ‘Mahishuru‘. |
| Geography: | Mysore is situated at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills. At an altitude of 770 m (2,530 ft) above mean sea level, the city of Mysore is geographically located at 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located about 140 km (87.0 mi) southwest of Bangalore, the capital of the state, and is spread across 156 km2 (60 sq mi) area (city and neighbouring census towns). |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Karnataka |
| District: | Mysore |
| Language: | Kannada |
| Population: | 920,550 (Metropolitan City) |
| Literacy rate: | 86.84% |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | 1. Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) 2. Chamundi Hills and Chamundeshwari Temple 3. Brindavan Gardens 4. St. Philomena’s Church 5. Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens) 6. Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery 7. Rail Museum 8. Karanji Lake 9. Lalitha Mahal Palace 10. Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum 11. Regional Museum of Natural History 12. GRS Fantasy Park 13. Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion 14. Folklore Museum 15. Dodda Gadiyara (Big Clock Tower) |
