Namma Mysuru

“Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute”

Thus ends the chorus of the Mahissaasura-Mardini Strotam which is a hindu prayer to the goddess
Durga who killed the demon king Mahissasura. Mahissasura represented the fakeness and deceit
that we are so used to these days in our everyday lives. He could take many forms and become
many animals but his ideals were always demonic. Whereas Durga represents everything good of the
world. She is serene, calm, collected and graceful as she pierces the heart and kills the scared and
outwitted Mahissasura.

Durga becomes Mahissaasura-Mardini which translates to Slayer of Mahissasura. The name of

Mysuru comes from the old kannada word “Mahishooru” which literally means ‘city of Mahishasura’.

Mysuru or Mysore as it was previously known is located 150 kilometres from Bangalore in the state
of Karnataka. It has a rich history of kings and queens, empires and their downfalls and of
engineering marvels and innovation contributing to the progress of India.

The Chamundi hills on the outskirts of Mysuru is a must visit on the way to the city. The main hill
features an ancient stone stairway of 1008 steps leading to its summit. The main attractions here are
the bull Nandi carved out of a single piece of granite, the Chamundeshwari Temple and the giant
colorful statue of Mahissasura. The hill also offers a great panoramic view of the city.

Every year in the end of September the city attracts millions of visitors for the Nadahabba (state
festival) called Mysuru Dassara. It is a 10 day festival starting with Navratri (nine nights) and ending
with Vijayadashmi (day of victory) which celebrates the killing of Mahissasura by Chamundeshwari
(Durga)

The highlight of the festival is the procession through the streets of the city led by three elephants
with the largest one carrying a golden idol of Durga. I remember visiting the city during the time of
Dussera when I was about 16 years old. It was a sea of people, with splendid colors and loud
celebratory music.

A famous Kannada song featuring the legendary Dr.Rajkumar nearly 50 years old best describes it.

Mysooru Dasara Eshtondu Sundara

Chellide Nageya Panneera
Ellelu Nageya Panneera

So beautiful is the Mysooru Dasara

It spills the scented water of smiles everywhere
Smiles everywhere you see

The procession is headed by the scion of the Wadiyar family, which ruled Mysuru from 1399 to 1950.
The family retained certain property and figurehead rights and is still protected by the Indian
constitution as a titular monarchy.

Before the independence of India during the tumultuous first half of the 20th century, Lord John
Sankey declared in 1930 at the Round Table Conference in London that “Mysore is the best
administered state in the world”. The ruler during those years was Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, who was
the 24th maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was a philosopher-king and was seen as the living
ideal expressed in Plato’s republic. His kingdom was described by his followers as Rama Rajya, or a
kingdom akin to the rule of Lord Rama.

Krishnaraja Wadiyar appointed the legendary Sir M Visveshvarya as the Chief Engineer of Mysore
State in 1909 and later gave him the title of Diwan of Mysore. Visvesvarya turned out to be one of
the greatest engineers ever produced by India, with his birthday on September 15th being celebrated
as engineers day in India.

I believe the greatest engineering marvels of the world are not mindless monuments but
constructions of utility like bridges, dams and canals which overcome the obstacles presented by
nature itself to solve a problem and serve the society.

M Visveshvarya presented the blueprint of a dam to be built across the river Kaveri to alleviate the
severe droughts Mysore faced from time to time. Krishnaraja Wadiyar approved this project and
construction began in 1911 at the cost of then rupees 8,100,000. The dam was completed in 1934
and the dam along with the man made lake it forms is called the Krishnarajasagara or KRS. KRS also
has a botanical garden called the Brindavan gardens next to it. The dam and gardens is a must visit
on a trip to Mysuru.

In this beautiful city which India’s most famous engineer called home, it is only fitting that Infosys
which is one of India most successful companies has it’s largest office campus. The campus serves as
a training centre for new joiners to the company and has over 20,000 engineers working in its offices.
A visit to this campus is also highly recommended where you get a sense of the vision and ambition
of its founders and the new India.

Top of your visit to the city with a visit to the impeccably maintained Mysore Palace and stroll
through its different rooms where you will get a complete history lesson of the city through the
various exhibits and photographs.

While you spend your time going from one incredible sightseeing option to another in this historic
city, take a break and don’t forget to stop for lunch at the many eateries the city has to offer to have
a taste of the delicious Mysuru Masala dosa and end it with a sweet Mysore Pak.