Top 20 things to do and tourist places to visit in Mysore

The spic-and-span city of Mysore has been bestowed upon with the title of The Palace City. Known for its well-endowed heritage, Mysore has earned its place among the cities with the most beautiful and resuscitating environments. It’s the Cultural Capital of Karnataka having earned this epithet from its cultural ambiance and achievements. Mysore is devoid of the typical vibe of the alarums and excursions of a city.

Among the cities with highest number of tourists from all across the globe, Mysore holds a prominent part of Karnataka Tourism. Yes, this place has a myriad of glittering palaces that reflect its royal heritage and regal remnants but its true beauty is much more deep-seated. The rejoicing festivals, plethora of flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes, thriving traditions, regional delicious foods are all part of the splendour of this magnificent city.

Here is a list of the top 20 things to do and tourist places to visit in Mysore.

1) Mysore Palace

If you are a stranger to Mysore, then to have a perfect idea of what this place has to offer you, explore the grandiose structure of the Mysore Palace. Sitting in the naval of the city, its brilliance exceeds one’s imagination. The sheer intricate details and bedazzling ornate designs on the structure are a feast to one’s eyes.

Its inherent gorgeousness is an outcome of the vast array of architectural styles used on it. Mostly Indo-Saracenic styles blended with the essence of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic styles have been used on it. This place has is now turned into a museum that treasures the possessions of its makers like, paintings, jewellery, royal costumes etc.

This place is definitely be visited once you are in the city. It’s among some of the most notable places to visit in Mysore.

2) Mysore Dasara

Mysore Dasara, an incessant extraordinary festival that draws thousands of tourists from all across the world. A ten days long event where the first nine days are for dedicated worshiping and the final day is the day of celebration. If you are in Mysore around the months of September-October, don’t miss the golden opportunity of being a part of this grand celebration. The entire city is decorated as a bride.

Revel in the joyous aura that oozes in the form of dance, music and elegant rituals. You’ll get to peer into the deep culture of the of Karnataka.

While your sojourn in Mysore make sure you get to be a part of Dasara. This is one of the best things to do in Mysore.

3) Chamundeshwari Temple

Chamundeshwari temple is perched on top of  Chamundi hill located 13km east of the palace city, Mysore. A place radiating positive auras with its mesmerizing beauty and peaceful calmness. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the divine vibrations of chanting and prayers.  Even the non-believer could find himself enchanted by the splendour of this resplended temple. A very natural friendly environment is created around this temple and use of plastics are prohibited.

Ascend to the top of Chamudi Hills if you want to get enamoured by the blissful vibes of this Temple.  Chamundeshwari temple is one of the best places to visit nearby Mysore.

4) Mysore Sarees

Sarees are a gift of pure Hindu traditions and a huge part of our Indian culture; moreover, they have been and always will be among most fashionable pieces of garments as a saree adorn a women’s beauty manifolds. Mysore Sarees are renowned all across India for rich quality and flawless designs.

The exquisite work on Zari and glittering golden laces on the saree makes is one of a kind. The versatile range of designs and styles in this type of saree offers a lot of choices. To get the true Indian vibe a fine lady must try this piece of clothing.

5) Mysore Zoo

Get back to mother nature and explore the diverse and vibrant fauna in one of the oldest zoos of India, Mysore Zoo or Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden. Hidden between the abundance of green foliage, this zoo is a home to some of the rarest and endangered species of animals. The vast range of animals is not the end of it. The rich and hard to find breeds of plant species too attracts a lot of attention to this place too.

Distinctly this zoological garden is located in a central position of this city which very uncommon. Exploring and connecting with the animal kingdom is one of the best things to do in Mysore.

6) 3D Selfie Gallery

Recently, 3D style of painting has caught a lot of attention on various social media platforms which has led to the revival of this art-form. If you are someone who is fascinated by the baffling optical illusion of 3D artwork, then be sure to check out the 3D Selfie Gallery in the city of Mysore.

Artworks here are not of the conventional kind. The illusion only works in an actual sense when the person interacts with the painting. Paintings come to life when you become a part of it. That is what makes this experience one of a kind. Take loads of photos and selfies and carry home a treasure box full of memories. Do pay a visit to this gallery as it is among the most famous places in Mysore.

7) Railway Museum

The Indian Railway has a rich and a very involving history. Does the heavy engine locomotive arouse your curiosity and you want to have a deeper insight into its machinery and past? Then Railway Museum of Mysore is the place you want to be.

Have an enlightening journey through the vast assortment of photographs and multiple items displaying various stages in the development of Indian railways. The engaging exhibit of locomotives shows the evolution of trains.

This knowledgeable journey is worth it and its comes under some of the best things to do in Mysore.

8) Brindavan Gardens

Revitalize your senses and sanitize your mind in one of the best terrace gardens in the world, Brindavan Gardens. This garden is secluded from the Mysore city about 12km northwest. Relishing the beauty of this scenic place is one of the most relaxing things to do in Mysore.

The horse shoe shaped garden is endowed with some beautiful baroque fountains, botanical parks and also has accommodations for boating while enjoying the panoramic view. A musical fountain show is also hosted in the Brindavan Gardens which displays a wonderful synchronized water show, illuminated with colourful lights, accompanied by music.

9) St. Philomena’s Cathedral

Pay homage to the Lord Almighty in one of India largest churches at St. Philomena’s Cathedral. Notably among the finest pieces of architecture, this church attracts a large number of tourists from all across. It has also earned the title of being the second largest Church in the entire continent of Asia.

Victorian style of architecture has been used to construct this massive structure with very elaborate symmetric ornamentation everywhere. Additionally, exquisite drawn paintings from various stages of Christ’s have been put on display inside the inner sanctum.

The entrenched religious view of secularism and the belief of concord of all religions reflects the faith of Mysore. You should undeniably visit this place of worship even if you are not a believer at heart for it furnishes contentment to the mind.

10) Karanji Lake

Have an invigorating venture through the serene waters of Karanji Lake. A constituent the Mysore zoo, this place offers you chance to have a breath-taking view of the turquoise blue lake with a perfect backdrop of the lush greenery with a plethora of fauna.

A stroll beside this awe-inspiring lake verdant fringes is enough to stimulate your inner soul and give you a reposeful mind.

Boating on the calm waters of this lake is even more gratifying and vitalizing experience. No doubt this is one of the must do things in Mysore.

11) Delicacies of Mysore

South Indian delicacies have garnered a name for itself all across India and is inarguably among the most appetizing food. Its large variety and a perfect fusion flavours paper yours taste buds in a way like none. South Indian food is simplicity at its best. Mysore is under the limelight of all the foodie or gourmets out there.

From the delectable typical dishes such as Idli, Dosa, Vangi Baath (rice with Brinjal curry) Bisi bele bath (a spicy preparation of rice) to the traditional dishes of Mysore such as Mysore Pak (sweets), this land is an anchor for all the food enthusiasts.

Don’t forget to have a bite of the Mysore platter which will sure make you come back for more.

12) Folklore Museum

Karnataka is a cornucopia of folk art and craft. The deep seated and profound culture of this state is expressed so neatly in the form of art and craft in the Folklore museum in Mysore. The entire collection of artistic creations brought under one roof.

This museum houses a tremendous assortment of more than 6,500 unique folklore exhibits. The inner chamber of art gallery is partitioned into sections of folklore, large dolls, folklife, literature and art. All these enlighten you to the life, culture, tradition and the past the people of Karnataka.

To truly get an essence of this city and the state, keeping this place on your itinerary is a must. This happens to be among the best tourist places in Mysore.

13) Jaganmohan Palace

Another jewel in the city of Palaces is the Jaganmohan Palace of Mysore. This magnificent place has a pristine white appearance embellished with beautifully engraved designs all over the palace which just adds to the grandeur of the structure.

It used to be a retreat home for the Royal family in the olden days but now its converted to an art gallery which also functions as an event hall. You’d be enthralled by its beauty at its entrance gate only. The exquisite carving works on the massive façade magnifies the splendour of the royal grandeur of this palace. Visiting this place is a must since it comes under the best sightseeing tours in Mysore.

14) GRS Fantasy Park

Its time to indulge in some amusement at the GRS Fantasy Park. Have a brush of extravaganza while your stay in Mysore. A perfect place to retreat with family and friends, GRS Fantasy Park is an amusement and water park that promises a day brimming with fun and entertainment. This is what makes this place one of the best places to visit in Mysore.

Just a 15 mins drive from Mysore and you can have the best holiday ever with loads of enjoyments and unforgettable memories. The thrilling and amusing rides with the buzz of sliding, sinking, floating and falling in water makes for a great attraction among the locals of Mysore. This amusement park has been the part of this city for 13 years furnishing a joyful experience to not only kids but adults too.

Make GRS Fantasy Park a part of your tour and you are guaranteed tons of fun and adventure.

15) Shivanasamudra Waterfalls

The spectacular view of water gushing down from soaring heights striking huge rocks at the bottom makes for exhilarating experience. You can feel this rush of adrenaline at Shivanasamudra waterfalls. Located in the Mandya District of Karnataka State, 81 km from Mysore, this is undeniably among the most beautiful places near Mysore.

There are two waterfalls here – Bharachukk and Gaganachukki, the former being more famed for its cascading fall which leads to the formation of several streams which cuts through the rocks. You’ll be in awe of the ecstatic view. Facilities for sitting and relishing the beauty of it are provided at the bottom of the fall. There is also the option of having a stimulating bath under the Bharachukk waterfall.

16) KRS or Krishna Raja Sagara Dam

KRS or Krishna Raja Sagara Dam is among the creations of one of the greatest engineers of India Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah who has been given the epithet of ‘architect of modern Mysore’ or ‘father of planning in India’. This dam is constructed over the confluence of of three rivers namely, Cauvery, Hemavathi & Lakshmana Thirtha.

Installed lush green gardens with abundant flora, illuminated fountains and other water bodies give this dam a very unique aspect. The excellent views and enduing sites around this dam are praiseworthy. A great place for sightseeing in Mysore.

17) Srirangapatna

Srirangapatna, a timid town near the city of Mysore, has great significance when its comes to culture and religion. The entire town bordered by the Kaveri River which makes it a River Island. Its religious importance is credited to the fact that it houses several religious structures adhering to the philosophies of Lord Vishnu making it an important Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre.

A few of the grand edifices which are also great tourist sites are Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan Gumbaz, Wellesley Bridge and many more.

This town attracts a lot of travelers and it’s among the best places to visit near Mysore.

18) Chamundi Hills

Chamundi Hills, whose splendid magnificence can be viewed from vast distances, is about 8 to 10 km from the fringes of Mysore. If one craves to view the resplendence of the entire city of Mysore, then ascend to the top of this hill which provides a perfect viewpoint for this exact purpose.

You can sight some notable places like the opulent Mysore Maharaja Palace and the beautiful Karanji lake. This place not only provides you the chance of having a mesmerizing glance at the horizon but also opens the window for some adventure. Break a sweat by reaching the top by taking the stone stairs, might be a tad tiresome but the taking in the brisk wind at the top would shake off all your strains. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Mysore.

19) Somanathapura Temple

In the bygone days Somanathapura Temple used to be a noteworthy centre of worship throughout country. People from afar would travel to this holy place to revel in the divinity of lord Krishna. It had the most majestic and impeccable form of architecture called the Hoysala, a true exemplary of beauty. But this temple is no longer the place of worship and its integrity has been lost with the passage of time. The broken idols and the damaged deities are now a part of the ruins. But still the glorious past of this epitome of a temple still lingers in the remnants and provide a great insight into the time when it stood at its prime.

This temple is still worth paying a visit to since it was and still among the most famous places in Mysore.

20) Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park comes under India’s most extensive tracts of protected forest. Located at a distance of 50 km from the city of Mysore, shadowed of the Western Ghats, this forest reserve is teeming with thick vegetation and a wide range of flora blossoms in the midst of the region.

Its falls under one of the most sublime forest reserves in all over India. This open grassy woodland now falls under the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. One more specialty of this massive patch of green foliage is that it has been a designated tiger reserve in 1973.

You should at least once check out this forest reserve while you are in Mysore for this place provide one of the best locations to reconnect with the beautiful nature.