//
Beautiful modern township. Ideal for evening walks. This surprisingly spacious location has become the target residential area of the rich and famous. Their interior alleys are as wide as highways.
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens
The zoo was established under royal patronage in 1892, making it one of the oldest in the world. Mysore Zoo has had a successful breeding program and houses animals from more than 40 different countries, along with native Indian fauna, including Royal Bengal tigers, white tigers, elephants, fallow deer, Himalayan black bears, Gaur (Indian bison), white peafowl and African rhinos. The zoo is also home to many other exotic creatures from around the world, like Barbary sheep, giraffes, hippos and gorillas. The zoo encompasses Karanji Lake, which attracts several species of migratory birds during the breeding season, including painted storks, pelicans, and darters. Other attractions include the botanical garden with 35 species of exotic ornamental plants and 85 species of trees from India and abroad. Visitors can treat themselves to snacks and tender coconut that are available inside the zoo. Excellent mementoes are available in a souvenir shop. Vehicle parking is available in an open area opposite the zoo. The parking fee collected is ₹50 for buses, ₹30 for mini-buses or tempos, ₹10 for cars and ₹5 for two-wheelers.
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.
It was built by Maharani Regent Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, wife of Chamaraja Wodeyar, for her daughter Jayalakshami. It has around 200 rooms, an exotic dancing hall and a Kalyanmantap with intricately carved wood pillars. It was converted into a museum and stores artefacts about local folk and performing arts, tools and objects of various artisans and other archaeological findings. Princess Jayalakshmi was married to her maternal uncle. Dewan Sir M. Kantha Raja Urs. After independence, their son-in-law, Sirdar K. Basavaraj Urs, sold the property to the University of Mysore to start its postgraduate centre, and the then Vice Chancellor, Dr K.V. Puttapa christened the place as Manasa Gangothri.
Another palace that has been turned into a five-star hotel. It served as a royal summer residence for the Viceroy of India in the late 19th and early 19th century. You feel the antique-style grandeur and regality when you stay here. Guests should visit the hotel during the afternoon since it serves a great British high tea. It is situated close to the Chamundi Hills.