HISTORY OF MYSORE

The word Mysore is a corrupted version of "mysooru", which is derived from the word
"mahishur" or "Mahishasurana Ooru", which means the town of Mahishasura in
Kannada, the local language. Mysore has been associated with the Puranic story
found in the Devi Bhagavatha. According to the story in the Devi Purana, Mysroe was
ruled by the demon Kind Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a buffalo-headed monster.
In response to the prayer by the Gods and Goddesses to save them from the demon,
Goddess Parvathi, took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster on top of
the Chamundi hill near Mysore. Hence the hill and the city have the names Chamundi
Hill and Mysore respectively.

It is said that after killing the monster the Goddess stayed on top of the hill, where
she is worshipped with great devotion to this day. The famous 10 daylong Dasara of
Mysore is in honour of the Goddess Chamundeshwari and is a celebration of this
victory of good over evil. Before the rise of the Gangas in the 10th century there is
little historical evidence relating to Mysore. The Gangas established their supremacy
in the 2nd century and they ruled over a large part of Mysore till about 1004 AD. In
the 3rd century they established their capital at Talakad on the banks of the river
Cauvery.

There is an inscription on Chamundi Hills that was done in 950AD during the reign of
the Gangas. This inscription is the oldest inscription found in Mysore. The Cholas
ruled Mysore for over a century after the Gangas. The Chalukyas followed the Cholas.
The Hoysalas drove the Cholas from the remaining part of Mysore region in the 12th
century. Hoysala are known for the beautiful temples they built during their reign. It
is said that they built or expanded the existing temples in Mysore and on the
Chamundi Hills. There is an inscription in Mysore by the Hoysalas that dates back to
the 11th and 12th century.

After the Hoysalas came the Vijayanagar Kings and then the Mysore Yadu dynasty
came to power in 1399A.D. They were the feudatories of the Vijayanagar Kings. This
dynasty also contributed to temple building in Mysore. Bettada Chamaraja Wodeyar,
the raja of Mysore rebuilt the fort of Mysore and made his headquarters and called
the city 'Mahishura Nagara' meaning the city of Mahishur. Many inscriptions done in
the 17th century and later refer to Mysore as 'Mahishuru'. Raja Wodeyar moved the
capital from Mysore to Srirangapatna. After the death of Tippu Sultan in 1799,
Mysore became the capital of the Wodeyars once again.

During the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III the town of Mysore expanded and moved
beyond the walls of the fort. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV developed Mysore into a
 beautiful city with excellent planning. Under his reign Mysore became famous for its
wide roads, magnificent building and elegant parks. Today Mysore is a modern city
that has managed to retain its quaint old-world charm. Today Mysore in famous in
the world for its sandalwood and rosewood artifacts, stone sculptures, incense sticks,
inlay work with ivory and its exquisite silk sarees.

MYSORE WEATHER
Mysore is located in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau. The district of Mysore is
an undulating tableland that is partly covered by granite outcrops and fringed with
lush green forests. The city is at 770m above sea level and 140kms from Bangalore,
the state capital. Mysore has an area of 6,268 sq. km and a population of 22,81,653
(1991 census). The city is also known as the City of Palaces, Mysore has always
enchanted its visitors with its quaint charm.

Mysore has a warm and cool climate throughout the year. It has a salubrious climate.
The climate of Mysore is moderate. The weather in winter is cool and the summers
are bearable. The minimum temperature in winter is around 15 degrees Celsius and
in summer the maximum temperature is around 35 degrees Celsius. Mysore gets
most of its rains during the monsoon between June to September. Mysore average
rainfall annually is around 86 centimeters.

CULTURE OF MYSORE
Mysore has been a city where all religions have co-existed in harmony for many
centuries. Even when Mysore was culturally at its zenith under the Vijayanagar
Empire and the Wodeyars the rulers always encouraged all religions and cultures
without any discrimination. The continuous patronage and support of the Kings in
every field led to the evolution of a distinct style known as the "Mysore Style" in the
all the fields like painting, architecture, music, poetry etc. Over a period of time as
this culture spread far and wide it was prefixed with the word "Mysore" to identify
the unique cultural heritage. To this day in Karnataka the best quality jasmine
flowers are referred to as Mysooru Maligae (Mysore Jasmine).

Over the years Mysore has become a cosmopolitan city with people from different
walks of life living together peacefully. In Mysore people practicing different faiths
live harmoniously. This has helped the city develop. The people of Mysore take part in
 each other's festivals and celebrations. The Kings of Mysore have laid a strong
foundation for communal harmony by making generous contributions towards
religious centers of all religions. This tradition is still followed in Mysore.

The Hindu community is the largest religious community in the city. Muslims form
another prominent community in the city and there is a sizeable population of Jains
as well. One finds people from different parts of the country, speaking different
languages, celebrating different festivals all co-existing peacefully. Though Mysore
has become a modern city it has not lost touch with its tradition and culture. The
ultimate expression of cultural unity is witnessed during the 10 daylong Dasara
festivities that is synonymous with Mysore. The celebration not only includes religious
ceremonies but also the decoration of houses, display of dolls, distribution of sweets
to neighbours and children. The residents of Mysore have celebrated Dasara in this
manner for decades.

The high point of the celebration in the olden days was the "Jamboo Savari" or the
procession of the Maharaja on elephant back through the streets of Mysore. It is said
that Dasara was celebrated in this manner from the times of the epics and was
continued by all the Kings of Mysore. Even today Dasara is celebrated with the same
pomp and splendor with some minor changes. Now the Royal Elephant carries the
golden idol of Goddess Chamundhi in the splendid procession through the streets of
Mysore. Though Mysore has become a modern city and has all the comforts of
modern development, this city has managed to retain all its old world charm.

LOCAL TRANSPORT IN
MYSORE
Auto Rickshaws
This is the most reliable and accessible mode of transport in the city. In the day pay
by the meter. After 10pm the drives will charge you 50% more than the meter
reading and after midnight you will have to pay twice the meter reading.

Private Taxis
There are private taxis available that you can hire for a day. There are a number of
Car rental companies. Most hotels provide this service; therefore you can check with
your hotel. This mode of transport is reliable and affordable.

Buses
 Buses run by the State Government ply in and around Mysore. They ply along fixed
routes and the cost is nominal. If you want to be part of the everyday life of the
common Mysorean then hop onto one of these buses and you could have quite an
adventure.

Tongas
Tongas are horse driven carts that are also means of transport in Mysore. They will
take you around the city but at slow and steady pace. If you want a close look at the
city and catch some rare sights that you would not otherwise see then you could try
this mode of transport.

MYSORE DASARA
Over the years Mysore has become synonymous with the Dasara (or Dussehra)
festival. Dasara is the most extravagant festival of Mysore. This festival has been
celebrated in Mysore with great pomp and show since centuries. This tradition is still
carried on though the scale of the celebrations has been watered down. The Dasara
festival is celebrated in the months of September and October each year. According
to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates and commemorates the victory of
Goddess Chamundeshwari after slaying the demon Mahishasura and the triumph of
good over evil. The Dasara festivities have become an integral part of the culture and
life in Mysore.

During the 10-day festivities the normally clam, slow, peaceful city erupts into life
and every street and street corner is bustling with activity. House, shops and
important buildings in the city are decorated and illuminated for the period of the
celebrations. Today Dasara in Mysore has become the state festival of Karnataka. As
part of the celebrations renowned musicians of Karnataka and from outside perform
in front of the illuminated Palace. The Palace is open to the public and the royal
throne is displayed. The State Government arranges music, dance, and folk-dance
performances, doll shows. Wrestling and sports competitions are held.

A two-month long Dasara Exhibition is held at the Doddakere Maidan, in which

several business and industrial houses take part. Apart from this a Food and Film
festival is also organized. During the festivities special religious ceremonies are held
at different temples in Mysore especially the Chamundeshwari Temple on top of the
Chamundi Hills. The high point of the Dasara celebrations is the Vijayadashami
procession held on the tenth day. The finale of the celebrations is the state organized
procession consisting of floats, the police and their bands, mounted guards in royal
livery and folk artists and musicians.

Some traditional items of the royal family form part of the procession. The main
attraction of the procession is the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari kept in the
golden howdah on top of a decorated elephant. The procession begins at the Mysore
Palace and ends at the Banni Mantapa grounds, traveling a distance of about 2.5
miles. The procession is followed by a torch light procession in the evening and a
stunning display of fireworks.