Short Trip To Mysore
February 12, 2008 – 1:33 pm
Last sunday I made an unplanned trip to heritage city of Karnataka, Mysore. Started from Majestic on a Volvo bus(Rs 190) around 12 o’clock. It takes around 3 three hours to reach Mysore even now. Yes, the road widening has been completed and road is good but it still takes 3 hours. On reaching Mysore bus stand went straight to Mysore palace. All in all I visited three spots which I will descrbe as follows:
Mysore Palace: Mysore palace was built by the Wodeyar kings was their residence. The entry fee to the palace compound is Rs 15/person and more for people from other countries. Please note that camera is not allowed inside the palace and you will require to deposit your camera at the respective counter for Rs 5. However, one can take picture from outside. Also, to get inside the palace one need to take of their shoes and deposit for Rs 0.50/pair. The palace is very delicately designed and is treat for the eyes. One should look for celing with wood and glass work. There are royal elephants which are housed in a seperate segment of the palace and they are used during festivals specially during daserra procession. Those who are travelling by public transport can hire an auto to reach here. It is around 10 minutes ride from the outstation bus stand.
Mysore Palace
The front gate of Mysore Palace
The Kingdom of Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty from 1399 until the independence of India in 1947 and the subsequent dissolution of monarchy by the Indian constitution. The Wodeyar kings built a palace in Mysore in the 14th century, but this palace was partially damaged by a lightning strike in 1638. It was repaired and expanded, but fell into neglect by the late 18th century. It was demolished in 1793, and a new palace was built in its place in 1803. This palace was destroyed in a fire in 1897 during the wedding of Princess Jayalakshmanni.
The Queen-Regent of Mysore at the time, Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sanndihana, commissioned a British architect, Henry Irwin, to build yet another palace in its place. The architect was requested to combine different styles of architecture in the construction of the palace. The construction was completed in 1912.
The palace apprently cost Rs. 42,00,000 to build at the time.
Architecture:
The architectural style of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic, and blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. It is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden.
The three storied stone building of fine gray granite with deep pink marble domes was designed by Henry Irwin.. The facade has seven expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch which is supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth with elephants.
Every autumn, the Palace is the venue for the famous Mysore Dasara festival, during which the entire palace is lit up with thousands of bulbs, and leading artistes perform on a stage set up in the palace grounds. On the tenth day of the festival Vijaya Dashami, a parade with caparisoned elephants and other floats originate from the palace grounds.
Unique rooms:
- Ambavilasa or Diwan e Khas.
This was used by the king for private audience and is one of the most spectacular rooms. Entry to this opulent hall is through an elegantly carved rosewood doorway inlaid with ivory that opens into a shrine to Ganesha. The central knave of the hall has ornately gilded columns, stained glass ceilings, decorative steel grills, and chandeliers with fine floral motifs, mirrored in the pietra dura mosaic floor embellished with semi-precious stones.
- Gombe Thotti (Doll’s Pavilion)
Entry to the palace is through the Gombe Thotti or the Doll’s Pavilion, a gallery of traditional dolls from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The pavilion also houses a fine collection of Indian and European sculpture and ceremonial objects like a wooden elephant howdah (frame to carry passengers) decorated with 84 kilograms of gold.
- Kalyana Mantapa
The Kalyana Mantapa or marriage hall is a grand octagonal-shaped pavilion with a multihued stained glass ceiling with peacock motifs arranged in geometrical patterns. The entire structure was wrought in Glasgow, Scotland. The floor of the Mantapa continues the peacock theme with a peacock mosaic, designed with tiles from England.Oil paintings, illustrating the royal procession and Dasara celebrations of bygone years ,make the walls more splendid.
Temples:
The palace complex includes twelve Hindu temples. The oldest of these was built in the 14th century, while the most recent was built in 1953. Some of the more famous temples are:
Attraction:
The palace houses several rooms of importance. These include:
- Audience Chamber: This was Hall of Private Audience, where the king would confer with his ministers. It was also the chamber in which he gave audience to people deserving special attention.
- Public Durbar: The Diwan-e-aam was a public hall where the general population could meet the king at prescribed times with petitions.
- Royal wedding hall
- Armoury: The palace houses an armoury, which contains a collection of different types of arms used by the members of the royal family. These include weapons that were used in the 14th century (lances, cutlasses, etc), as well as weapons that were used in the early twentieth century (pistols, etc).
Source: Wikipedia
In front of the palace gate you will see many autos waiting but one must bargain hard to get a near correct price. We set for auto for to and fro travel to Chamundi hills. At first we were quoted Rs 300! After lots of wrangling it came down to Rs 175.
Chamundi Hills: On Chamundi hills more the 3500 ft above sea level, Chamundeeswari temple is located. Chamundeeswari, is the family deity of the Mysore Maharajas. Another way to reach the summit is the 1000 steps built by Maharaja Dodda Devaraja in 1659. Chamundeeswari is the violent form of goddes durga who killed demon Mahisasura on this hills and hence the name Chamundi hills. One can find a large statue of Mahisasura at the entrance of the hill summit. The air is typically cooler at the top then Mysore. One must check the scenic beauty Chamundi hills offer. A panoramic view of the city is seen from the top of the hills. Among other landmarks, you can see the race course, the Lalitha Mahal palace, Mysore Palace, Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes. At dusk, the view of the city is especially beautiful, and on Sunday evenings and during the Dasara festival, the illuminated Mysore Palace glitters like gold. It can be a photographers delight. Sometime back I read in a newspaper that Chamundi hills resemble the demon Mahisasura of one take a concentrated look featuring the rose, chest, pot belly legs. This is what the ASI chief of Mysore region said. Btw, regular government buses are available from the city bus stand. Also, I found that Volvo buses(a/c) has been launched on select tourist routes. So you can easily catch a volvo which should cost around Rs 30 – 35 one way.
Mahisasura Statue at the entrance to the top
Lalitha Mahal and others viewed from Chamundi Hills
Nature at dusk view from chamundi hills
Chamundeshwari temple
Near by on the other way down, there is a bull temple(Nandi). It is black stone monolithic structure.
Brindavan Garden/KRS Dam: Brindavan Garden is located in Mandya district and is around 30 minute bus ride from the city bus stand. Regular buses are available. Now you enjoy the new Volvo buses which have started operating and will cost you Rs 35 one way. It is advisable not to go for private buses as they takes lots of time, jam packed and innumerable stopages. Particularly, at night private buses are unreliable. The last govenment bus leave at 9 pm from Brindavan garden. Ticket for an audult Indian cost Rs 15 and camera fee Rs 50. The garden is a treat to the eyes, particularly when illuminated. Do watch the musical fountain. Looks like security has taken its toll on tourists. You will not be able to walk any more on the dam. Earlier tourists were allowed. I remember from my earlier visit in 2000 the strong wind blowing while walking on the barrage over river Cauvery. They have changed the entrance now due to security reasons.
Brindavan garden at night
The Brindavan Gardens, a celebrated beauty spot in this part of India is world famous for its symmetric design. It is one of the most beautifully laid out terrace gardens in the world. The creation of this garden in the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam site has been the achievement of Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of the princely State of Mysore. The beautification of the whole dam complex was conceived by Sir Mirza Ismail. Modeled on the design of the Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir in the Mughal style, the garden is enriched with a number of terraces, parterres, fountains, running and cascading waterchannels, water chutes, lush green lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees. Today, the Brindavan Gardens is world famous for its ethereal beauty, grandeur and illumination/ musical fountain.
Located in the Krishnaraja Sagar dam site in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district, the Brindavan Gardens is at a distance of 24 Km. from the famous cultural heritage centre of Karnataka – the city of Mysore, and 143 Km. from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. The Krishnaraja Sagar dam is built across the river Cauvery, one of the principal rivers in South India. The Cauvery rises in the hills of Brahmagiri – in Talacauvery, Kodagu District in the Western Ghats and traverses Eastwards in Karnataka for about 320 Km. before entering Tamil Nadu and finally joining the Bay of Bengal. The dam is named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV during whose rule the Chief Engineer, Sir M. Vishveswaraya engineered the construction of the dam. The River Cauvery below the giant dam divides the garden into two parts.
The Garden
The Brindavan Gardens, primarily a terrace garden is laid out immediately behind the Krishnaraja Sagar dam site. The Department of Horticulture in 1927 started the work of laying out this garden, then called the Krishnarajendra Terrace Garden. Today, the garden extends over an area of 60 acres and it is laid out in the three terraces, which ends in a horseshoe shape. The slopes are planted with colourful Bougainvilleas and ornamental plants. This garden is a public park and it is one of the important tourist spots of India. The garden is enriched with innumerable fountains decorated with coloured lighting. The illuminated running waters and fountains with changing colours of lights is an event that the tourists can look forward to in the evenings. The garden has many open spaces, lawns, illuminated flower beds and ornamental plants. It also has well laid out roads and pathways. The Brindavan Gardens is the best-illuminated terrace garden in India. The boating pond in the midst of the garden is a location where the visitors can enjoy a boat ride. The whole garden when illuminated is an enchanting site to see.
Fountain
The Musical and dancing fountain, is the main attraction of the visitors. The water, coloured light and music are harmonized in the fountain to create a water ballet controlled by an aquatic organ operated through a controller. Water is pumped to the fountain and the operation is computerised. All the other fountains run due to the water pressure from the dam. A laser vision has also been developed for visitors’ attraction The illumination timing is the same as that for the garden. The musical and dancing fountain is located in the North Brindavan Garden. A gallery and rain shelter are provided for the viewers.
Other gardens
The Brindavan Gardens is under the aegis of the Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka. The Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, K.R.S. is responsible for the maintenance of the garden. The garden is divided into four areas.
Brindavan garden 60 acres
Government fruit orchard 75 acres
Naguvana 30 acres
Chandravana 5 acres
Brindavan Gardens
The garden is divided into – The main gate area
South Brindavan
North Brindavan
Childrens’
Garden
The main gate is designed on the model of the India Gate, New Delhi. Rose gardens on either side are the gate are worth seeing. Attractive lawns, annual flowerbeds, perennial flowering plants, ornamental hedges are maintained.
South Brindavan is the area near the Cauvery Statue. The area in front of the statue is the Kaveramma circle which has big sized water fountains. Distinct styles of terrace gardens can be seen here. Bougainvillea and allamanda plants are grown on the slopes of the terraces. A lawn is maintained in the terrace garden with annual and perennial flower beds and ornamental hedges in the periphery. Cypress plants are found in the centre. Dwarf statutes are found aplenty in the terraces and many fountains are also located. The fountain always sprinkles water and this is maintained by the water pressure when the dam in its full capacity. The garden is made more attractive with different coloured lights for illumination. This garden is most spectacular in the evenings when the area is illuminated with the fountains on. A glass house in the South Brindavan is used for propagating and maintaining different types of ornamental plants that are required for beautifying the Brindavan Gardens so also for sale at scheduled rates.
North Brindavan: consists of an area encompassing four extensive terraces. In each of the four terraces, extensive lawns, many ornamental annual and perennial flowerbeds and rows of ornamental trees are found. The terrace gardens are beautified with small fountains decorated with different coloured lights. Tree avenues of Sago Palm, copper pod, polyalthea are found in the road that runs parallel to the main dam road. Arches of Bougainvilleas and Bignonia venusta are found over the pathways on either side of the garden. Shrubs of Bougainvillea, Allamanda, Bignonia magnifica, Homskloidia sanguina are found on the slopes of the terraces. Many ornamental trees are also found in the North Brindavan gardens. An ornamental plant nursery is maintained for multiplication and maintenance of plants for sales.
A glass house with collection of cacti and succulents is maintained to cater to the needs of planting material for the garden and for sales. In between the North and South Brindavan is the river Cauvery. Visitors can enjoy a boat ride in the river. Boating facilities are also provided for tourists. These facilities are maintained by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.
Childrens’ Park
Located beside the South Brindavan towards the right is the Childrens’ Park. In the park are found slide, and concrete animals, birds and aquatic species and items/structures for children to play.Government Fruit Orchard
A fruit orchard has been established in an area of 75 acres near the North bank of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam. Established based on modern technology, the fruit orchard is a model farm; a place for teaching about fruit culture to the visitors and those interested in horticulture. This farm was developed with the aim of producing quality-planting materials of fruits and high yielding hybrid coconut seedlings. The fruits and plantation crops grown in this garden are Mango, Guava, Sapota, Litchi, Roseapple, Bilimbi, Aonla, Avacado, Malayan apple, Arecanut, Coconut etc.
The TxD (Tall x Dwarf Centrally sponsored scheme / Coconut hybrid development scheme has been in operation from the year 1968-69. Every year a large number of TxD hybrids are developed in this farm for distribution to the farmers. Perhaps, this is the most important hybrid coconut seedling production centre in the State.
Naguvana Horticulture Farm
Established in an area of 30 acres during 1972–73, this farm is an island near the main gate behind the dam. Various types of fruits plants and coconut trees are grown here. The Horticulture Training Centre of the Department of Horticulture is located in this farm. Every year a 10-month Horticulture training programme is organised for the rural youth of Mandya district.
Chandravana Horticulture Farm
This farm is developed in an area of 5 acres in the centre of the river Kaveri. Coconut and mango are grown in this farm. This farm looks like a beautiful island surrounded by water from July to January.
Cacti and Succulent Garden
A model cacti and succulents gardens is maintained near the office of the Senior Asistant Director of Horticulture. Many species of cacti and succulents are grown and this garden is worth seeing.
Places of Interest
North Brindavan
South Brindavan
Gardens
Arch Fountains
Cross-fountain
End fountains
Cross Channel
fountain
RadhaKrishna
Falls
Umbrella fountain
Childrens’ park
Pyramid Fountain
Inverted Basket
fountain
Fountain in front
of the Kaveramma statue
Goddess Cauvery Statue.
The Gardens are regularly illuminated on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 P.M. The Childrens’ Park , Horticultural farm and Nursery, Fisheries Pond and the Hydraulic Research Station here are other places of tourist attraction. There is a beautiful statue of the Goddess Cauvery at the foot of the dam.Information to visitors
The garden is maintained by the Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, K.R.S.
Opening Times
The Garden is open
to the Public from 6.30 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Facilities
Hotels and
Inspection Bungalow provide with boarding and lodging facilities.
The other State
departments involved in the overall maintenance of the dam site are the
Irrigaton department, the Public Works Department, the Police Department, the
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.
Transport
Many Government
and private buses ply often from Mysore City to K.RS. K.S.R.T.C. buses also ply
from Bangalore to K.R.S. and Mysore.
Entry Fee
Entry to K.R.S. is
possible through the South – Main Gate and the North Gate. Entry fee is charged
for adults and vehicles. Children below the age of 5 years are exempted from
paying the entry fee.
Illumination
Timings
JANUARY – SEPTEMBER :-
Monday to Friday
7.00 to 7.55 p.m. 6.30 to 7.30 p.m.
OCTOBER TO DECEMBER
:-
Saturday to Sunday 7.00
to 8.55 p.m. 6.30 to 8.30 p.m.
Videography is
prohibited
For Unauthorized
use of camera, a penalty of Rs. 50/- is charged.
For further
details, please contact
The Directorate
of Horticulture
Lalbagh,
Bangalore – 560 004
Ph: 080
-26571925 : Fax : 080 – 26570181
OR The senior
Assistant Director of Horticulture, K.R.S., Mandya
District, Ph: 08236 -
657247
Source: The Directorate of Horticulture, Karnataka
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