Places to See in Mysore

Mysore Tour & Travel Guide - Places to See in Mysore

Maharaja's Palace

This palace occupies a prestigious place among the tourist attractions of Mysore. The magnificent structure was designed by the British architect Henry Irwin, and it is an architectural marvel featuring sculpted pillars, elaborately carved doors and a golden howdah. In the 1640s, king Ranadhira Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar began rebuilding the exquisite Mysore palace. On Sunday evenings the palace is lighted up beautifully.

Chamundi Hills

Mysore is located at the foothills of Chamundi Hills. On top of the hills, the Chamundeshwari temple serves as a famous landmark. Nearby, there is a statue of Mahishasura ( a demon killed by goddess Chamundeshwari). You will also find the monolith of Nandi, the bull, close to the temple.

Mysore Zoo

This is one of the oldest zoos in South India. It houses a diverse collection of animals from more than 40 different countries, an amazing variety of birds, and many native Indian animals as well, including Royal Bengal tigers, white tigers, elephants, giraffe, fallow deer, Himalayan black bear, Gaur (Indian bison), white peafowl etc. The zoo is also home to many other exotic creatures from around the world like Branary sheep, giraffe, hippos and gorillas. It’s open on all days from 8 AM - 5:30 PM, except for Tuesday which is a holiday.

St. Philomena's Church

This church is a lure for the religious traveler and is a must-watch among the tourist attractions of Mysore. It is a Gothic structure based on the Cathedral at Cologne. This magnificent church is visited by a large number of tourists every year.

Jaganmohan Palace

Jaganmohan Palace was the other retreat for the royal family of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar and it is a beautiful building with three storeys. It features stained glass shutters and ventilators and also has a lovely garden setting that has now been transformed into an art gallery displaying paintings, sculptures and musical instruments.

Brindavan Garden and Krishna Sagar Dam

The first of these gardens is laid on the banks of Krishnarajasagar Dam. Spread over a vast area, the terraced lawns and fountains make these gardens one of the best in South India. The swirling fountains are illuminated over weekends and have featured in many a movie in recent times. The Dancing Fountains or musical fountains as they are also known, are a major attraction among the tourists. Located at a distance of 20 Kms northwest of Mysore, the Krishna Sagar dam is constructed across the river Cauvery, and is a popular tourist spot.

Ranganathittu

For bird lovers, Ranganathittu is a definite visit. This bird sanctuary is situated 18 km away from Mysore and offers a close view of several exotic birds.