City-information for Mysore

Temples Accomodation Travel City Information Map

Population 700,000.
Mysore is 139 km southwest of Bangalore and is called the Sandalwood City, because it has many sandalwood, rose, jasmine, and other flowering trees. This is where much of the incense and sandalwood oil in India is made. Also many carved products made of ivory, sandalwood, rosewood, and teakwood are made here.

Nearby, at Srirangapatnam, there is an important Vishnu temple. At Somnathpur there is an ancient beautifully carved temple dedicated to Krishna called the Channakesava temple.

Mysore is an old city that was almost always ruled by Hindu rulers - in succession by the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar, and Wodeyar dynasties. In 1759 the Hindu Wodeyar were overthrown by one of their Muslim generals, Hyder Ali. After overthrowing and killing Hyder Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, the British reinstated the Wodeyars. Mysore is a city of palatial buildings including 17 palaces.

The city gets its name from Mahishasura, a demon who caused trouble to the people in the area, until goddess Chamundi killed him.

The city is at an altitude of 770m, so the climate is nice all year around. The weather is best between September and January but is still good up to April. September and October are the best months to come. This is when the Dussehra festival takes place. There is a victory procession to celebrate the killing of Mahishasura by Chamundi on the tenth day of this festival with elephants, horses, bands, floats, and real gold and silver coaches.

This is the most popular city in South India for foreign tourists. This is because there are some interesting places to visit in Mysore and the surrounding area. Plus it is a pleasant city, with relatively cheap and good accommodations.