Oriental Research Institute

A former palace that has been converted into an art gallery and function hall. The palace for some time was home to the Wodeyar dynasty. The art gallery features paintings of many styles, including Mughlai, Mysorean and European. The most prominent works are those of Raja Ravi Varma, which are over 100 years old. A big part of the exhibition is comprised of very similar portraits of members of the Royal family.

Exhibits vintage locomotives as they were in use. The second of such museums was set up after the Rail Museum in Delhi. The major attraction of the museum is the wagon used by the Queen of Mysore. There is a small toy train. The museum is a small one and can be visited while arriving or leaving Mysore during working hours.

The perimeter is 3.6 km. There are many birds to see and the footpath is well maintained with small gardens around it.

Definitely the number one attraction in Mysore. Intricately carved rosewood doors and ceilings, some with inlaid ivory work, marble figurines, collections of caskets, paintings of the members of the royal family and other objects of personal use exhibit such opulence, and over time have been preserved remarkably well. The guards quick out the public from the palace premises (gardens) around 18:00 to prepare for the 'light and sound' show in the evening. It starts at 19:00, lasts 40 minutes and is in Kannada language only, making it less interesting for foreigners, were it not for the impressive illumination of the whole palace at the end (19:40-45) with 100,000 bulbs. The ticket counter opens at 16:45 for the show (₹100). Entry is on the south side. You are required to leave your shoes outside before entering at a cost of ₹2 per pair.

The Happy Man Park near Kamakshi Hospital, some three kilometres from the Railway Station, is a very popular hangout for children and parents. The park is quite compact but contains a mini zoo and many hens and ducks roam around the lawns freely. The park is landscaped with a little stream and ‘wooden’ bridges. Music is played through loudspeakers scattered around the park. The park is open from 4:30PM to 9PM and the crowd are quite big around 6PM. It is also open for a while in the morning for the benefit of joggers. The main attraction of the park is a statue of a ‘Happy Man’ with a potbelly. The statue resembles Maitreya or Laughing Buddha, quite popular in Southeast Asian countries.