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Mysore
is the third largest city in Karnataka state. Mysore is
the inhabited name from "Mahishasura", the mischievous sprite
from
Puranas, who used to rule here. This is a city of palaces, flowers and sandalwood
and was once the residence of the Maharajas of
Mysore. This is located at a distance of 140 km from Bangalore. This city has a non-variant climate.
Mysore, the imperial city, was the
former capital of the Wodeyars. Mysore has never failed to mesmerise the tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples.
Mysore
is certainly a charming, old-fashioned and undaunting town
dominated by the spectacular Maharaja's Palace, around
which the boulevards of the city radiate. Nearby is the
city centre with the colourful and frenetic Devaraja
Market is inviting a stroll.
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Mysore is the erstwhile capital of Wodeyars, 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. |
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.
HISTORY
Many dynasties ruled Mysore starting from
3rd century BC. The Satavahanas, the Kadambas, the Gangas, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Hoysalas, the Bahmanis, the Adil Shahs, all left their marks in Mysore. From 1399 the Wodeyar family ruled Mysore until India became independent in 1947 except for 38 years in the 18th century when Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan seized power.
Raja Wodeyar (1576-1617) annexed Srirangapattana in 1610 and Bangalore, a little later. During Chikkadevaraya's reign, which kept away from rivalries of Mughals, Marathas and the Nizams, Mysore was most prosperous. After Chikkadevaraya, the Wodeyar rulers became weak and Hyderali through a coup took the power. During the 38 years that followed, Mysore prospered very well. With the headquarters at Srirangapattana, they built beautiful palaces in Mysore and Bangalore, laid out a dream botanical garden at Lal Bagh and fought valiantly to oust the British from their native soil. After the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799 the power was restored to the Wodeyars. In 1831 the British took over the administration of Mysore. In the early 20th century nationalist fervor swept the country and people of Mysore involved actively in the freedom movement. After independence, Mysore was acceded to the Union of India. In 1956 Mysore State was enlarged and on 1st Nov. 1973 renamed Karnataka.
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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