Mysore
The City of Palaces & Dasara
Overview
Mysore (officially Mysuru) is a city in Karnataka long known as the seat of the Wadiyar dynasty and the cultural heart of the state. Its centrepiece is the Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas), an Indo-Saracenic royal residence completed in 1912 and famously illuminated by thousands of bulbs on Sunday evenings and during Dasara. The city is celebrated for its ten-day Dasara festival, the hilltop Chamundeshwari temple, Mysore silk and sandalwood, and as a global home of Ashtanga yoga. Bengaluru (BLR) is the main gateway, about 150 km away. MyTripMyTravel runs Mysore as a regal cultural base, escorted palace access, artisan visits, and wellness-focused stays.
Mysore, officially Mysuru, is the graceful counterpoint to Bengaluru's rush, a city built around palaces, gardens, and a royal cultural tradition the Wadiyar dynasty nurtured for centuries. It wears its heritage lightly but everywhere, in broad avenues, sandalwood workshops, and a silk-weaving industry that gave the world Mysore silk.
The Mysore Palace, or Amba Vilas, is the defining landmark, a grand Indo-Saracenic residence completed in 1912 after fire destroyed its predecessor, all domed pavilions, stained glass, and painted durbar halls. On Sunday evenings and throughout the Dasara festival it is outlined by tens of thousands of lights, a spectacle unlike anything else in the country. Above the city, the Chamundeshwari temple crowns Chamundi Hill, guarded by a great monolithic Nandi bull, and the ten-day Dasara celebrations culminate in the Jamboo Savari procession of caparisoned elephants.
Mysore is also a place of calm and craft, the neo-Gothic St. Philomena's church, the fountains of Brindavan Gardens, one of India's oldest zoos, and a worldwide reputation as the home of Ashtanga yoga. MyTripMyTravel bases guests here for its regal sights and its slower pace, arranging escorted palace visits, artisan and yoga experiences, and a comfortable chauffeured link to Bengaluru and the Coorg hills.
At a glance
Mysore in brief
When to visit
October to March
October to March offers the most pleasant weather, with mild days perfect for the palace, gardens, and Chamundi Hill. The great highlight is Dasara, usually falling in September or October, when the palace is fully illuminated and the Jamboo Savari elephant procession fills the streets, spectacular, but demanding advance planning for crowds and accommodation. April to June is warm but manageable, while the monsoon (June to September) brings intermittent rain and lush gardens.
Things to do
Experiences in Mysore
Mysore Palace
The Wadiyar dynasty's Indo-Saracenic royal seat, dazzling by day and outlined in tens of thousands of lights on Sunday evenings.
Chamundeshwari Temple
The hilltop shrine on Chamundi Hill, reached past a giant monolithic Nandi bull, with sweeping views over the city.
Brindavan Gardens
The terraced, fountain-filled gardens below the KRS dam, famed for their musical fountain show after dark.
Devaraja Market
A vivid old market of flowers, fruit, spices, and the sandalwood and kumkum Mysore is known for.
Mysore silk & sandalwood ateliers
Escorted visits to the workshops behind the city's celebrated gold-bordered silk and sandalwood crafts.
Ashtanga yoga session
A guided practice in the city that gave Ashtanga yoga to the world, arranged through our wellness wing.
Getting there
How to reach Mysore
Bengaluru (BLR), about 150 km away, is the main international gateway; Mysore Airport (MYQ) has limited domestic service.
Mysore Junction is well connected, with fast Shatabdi and Vande Bharat services from Bengaluru in around two hours; we handle transfers.
A comfortable 3-hour chauffeured drive from Bengaluru on the upgraded expressway, a standard MyTripMyTravel leg.
Our orthopedic-grade fleet links Bengaluru, Mysore, and onward to Coorg with GPS telemetry and comfort stops.
Where to stay
Converted royal palaces and grand heritage hotels offering the full Wadiyar-era experience with lawns and durbar halls.
Restored colonial bungalows and boutique properties with garden courtyards near the city centre.
Yoga- and Ayurveda-focused retreats on the city's calmer outskirts, arranged through our wellness wing.
Where to eat
The city's own version of the classic, a crisp dosa spread with red chutney and spiced potato, best with filter coffee.
The rich gram-flour, ghee, and sugar sweet said to have been created in the Mysore Palace kitchens.
The famously soft, buttery dosa served with coconut chutney, a beloved Mysore breakfast tradition.
Good to know
Mysore, your questions
How many days do I need in Mysore?
One to two nights covers the essentials, the palace, Chamundi Hill, and Devaraja Market on one day, with a second for Brindavan Gardens, artisan visits, or a yoga session.
When is the Mysore Palace illuminated?
The palace is lit with tens of thousands of bulbs every Sunday evening and throughout the ten-day Dasara festival. We time visits to catch the illumination.
When is Dasara?
Dasara usually falls in September or October. It is Mysore's grandest festival, culminating in the Jamboo Savari elephant procession, spectacular but requiring early booking for crowds.
How do I reach Mysore?
Bengaluru (BLR), about 150 km away, is the main gateway. From there it is a 3-hour chauffeured drive or a two-hour fast train; Mysore's own airport has limited service.
Is Mysore known for yoga?
Yes, Mysore is regarded as the home of Ashtanga yoga and draws practitioners worldwide. We can arrange guided sessions and yoga- or Ayurveda-focused stays through our wellness wing.
Can Mysore be combined with Coorg or Hampi?
Yes. Coorg's coffee hills lie about 120 km away for a natural extension, and a wider Karnataka route can link Mysore with the Vijayanagara ruins at Hampi.
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