Mysore
Mysore
, known as the city of Palaces, located 770m above sea level and
140 Kms from Bangalore. It was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars.
Mysore every year attracts tourists for its quaint charm, rich heritage,
magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings,
broad shady avenues and sacred temples.
The rulers of Mysore State, the Wodeyar family, ruled Mysore since
14th century except for a short period of 40 years when Hyder Ali
and Tipu Sultan were the rulers. Today Mysore is one of the major
cities of Karnataka. Mysore has emerged as a thriving market for
exotic sandalwood & incense, the Mysore silk sarees and stone-carved
sculptures.
Mysore is certainly a charming, old-fashioned and undaunting town
dominated by the spectacular Maharaja's Palace.
On the outskirts of Mysore, Srirangapatnam still harbours architectural
gems from the days of the great Indian hero, Tipu Sultan, and the
magnificent Hoysala temple of Somnathpur lies little more than an
hour's drive away.
Legend
In the tenth century Mysore was known as "Mahishur",
the town where the buffalo-demon Mahishashur was slain by the goddess
Durga. The word Mysore expands to "Mahishasurana Ooru",
which means the town of Mahishasura. It is believed that during
one of the wars between devils and demons on the one hand and gods
and goddesses on the other, the demon Mahishasur (Mahishur) overpowered
the gods.
The goddess on seeing this, incarnated as the fireceful Chamundi
or Chamundeshwari and consequently, Mahishasura was killed by Her
atop the Chamundi Hill near Mysore. Ever since, the Mysore royal
family has worshipped Chamundeshwari as the palace deity. Hills
dedicated to Her stand at the eastern end of Mysore town to this
day.
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General Information & Accomdation info on Mysore city of Karnataka
- India
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