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MYSORE & BELUR
September 18, 19 and 20
( Photo Courtesy : Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka)

Mysore was the capital city of old Mysore state. The city is situated at a distance of 139 km to the south-west of Bangalore. It is a very beautiful, calm and quiet city which offers many attractions.

Chamarajendra Art Gallery: The Jagan Mohan Palace was converted into an art gallery in 1875 and exhibits paintings which date back to that period. The famous traditional Mysore Gold leaf' paintings, the oil paintings of artists like Raja Ravivarma and Swetoslavi Roerico are exhibited in the gallery. It is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Mysore Zoo Gardens: The Mysore Zoo was set up under the royal patronage in the 19th century. Its fauna includes rare and strange species of animals and snakes, which are housed in lush green surroundings. The timings on week days are 8 a.m. to 12 noon, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Fridays.

St. Philomena’s Church: One of the most beautiful and tallest buildings to the north of the city. It stands as a reminiscenceof medieval architectural style.

Temples in Mysore : The city has a number of temples and the Varahaswami temple is of Hoysala type architecture near the south gateway of the fort. Prasanna Krishnaswami temple was founded in 1825 by Krishna Raj Wodeyar III. The other temples are Trineswara temple east of the palace and Lakshmi Narayanaswami temple.

The Shweta Varahaswamy temple was built in the early 19th century and exists inside the Mysore Palace grounds in Mysore, Karnataka, India

Maharaja's Palace : Built during 1911-12 in the Indo sarcenic style at a cost of Rs. 42 lakhs, the palace is a spectacular monument. It was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore. The palace has a magnificent durbar hall with gold throne weighing 200 kg. inlaid with precious stones. There are also beautifully carved wooden doors and mosaic floors. On Sunday nights the palace is richly illuminated. The palace is open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Chamundi Hills: 10 km. from Mysore by road, this temple atop the hill is dedicated to Chamundeswari, the Consort of Lord Siva. The temple stands 1062 metres above sea level. The temple can be reached by climbing up the 1000 steps. Entry time is 6 a.m. to 1.30 pm. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Brindavan Gardens: 19 km. from Mysore, these ornamental gardens are situated at the base of the Krishnaraja Sagar dam across the Cauvery river. Illumination timing is from 7 p.m. to 8.pm. on week day (from October to November 6.30 to 7.30 pm) and on Saturday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Boating facilities are also available.

Srirangapattanam :16 Km. from Mysore, on the Bangalore road, stands the ruins of the capital of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. It is an island town encircled by river Cauvery. The famous Ranganathaswamy temple is situated here. Other places worth seeing are Daria Doulata, Tippu Sultan's summer palace and Gumbuz, his Mausoleum.

Belur: Situated on the banks of river Yagachi, Belur was the capital of the Hoysala empire 800 years ago, before it. was shifted to Dwarasamudram (Halebid). The famous Hoysala temple also called Chennakesava Temple is situated 40 Km. from Hassan, 150 Km. from Mysore and 90 Km. from Sravanabelagola. The temple is dedicated to Lord Chennakesava and it is one of the earliest of the star - shaped temples of Hoysala. The construction of this temple commenced in 1116 A.D. and it took about 103 years to complete.

Halebid:14 Kms. from Belur lies this ancient capital of the Hoysala empire. The Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebid is another specimen of Hoysala architecture. The building of the temple was started in 1121 A.D. by Ketamalla, a General of King Vishnu Vardhana of the Hoysala dynasty. There are two shirnes dedicated to Lord Siva - Hoysaleswara and Shanteleswara. An open air museum in the temple percincts displays treasured articles of sculpture. Basthalli, located 1 Km. from Halebid is famous for its Jain Bastis with gleaming blackstone pillars.

Sravanabelagola :The other temple at Halebid is the Kedareswara temple built by Ballala II and his consort Abhinava Ketala Devi in 1219. The temple has three super structures over the shrines and some fine sculptures.

This famous Jain pilgrim centre, one of the oldest in India, is situated 80 Km. from Mysore, 52 Km. from Hassan arid 160 Km. from Bangalore. The place (Literally meaning of Saravanabelagola is naked ascetic and white pond) is known as one of the greatest monuments of Jain art. The colossal statue of Gomateswara with a height of 57 feet is situated on the summit of Indragiri hill. It is one of the two giant sculptures in the world, after the Colossus Ramses II in Egypt. Military General Chamundaraya, General under the Ganga King Rachamalla, commissioned the carving of the huge statue during the 10th century. The Jain Muni Bhadrabahu, it is said, has accompained the Emperor Chandraguptha to this place in 300 B.C. There are various sacred shrines with painted halls, bronzes and inscriptions of great events. There are a few beautiful monuments like Ch,amundaraya Kattale Basadi etc., on Chandragiri.