Holiday in Mysore (Mysuru)

About Mysore (Mysuru)

Mysore (officially Mysuru) is the most royal city in South India — a place full of palaces, temples, jasmine, and sandalwood. The former capital of the Kingdom of Mysore has preserved its aristocratic heritage and combines it with a vibrant yoga culture and a relaxed atmosphere, making it the most pleasant large city in India. The Amba Vilas Palace (Mysore Palace) is the crown jewel of the city and is the most visited sight in India after the Taj Mahal. The Indo-Saracenic architecture unites Hindu, Islamic, and European elements into a total work of art. On Sundays and holidays, the palace is illuminated with 97,000 light bulbs — a sight of fairy-tale beauty. Dasara, the ten-day festival in October, transforms Mysore into a spectacle of processions, music, and light. The highlight is a majestic elephant procession, where adorned elephants carry the golden idol through the illuminated streets. It is one of the most colorful festivals in all of India. Mysore is, alongside Rishikesh, the most important center of Ashtanga yoga. The tradition dates back to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who taught here until his death in 2009. Thousands of yogis from around the world come annually for weeks or months to practice with his grandson Sharath Jois or at one of the many shalas. The Devaraja Market is a sensory fireworks display: mountains of jasmine flowers, incense sticks, spices, sandalwood carvings, and fresh fruits at one of the oldest markets in South India. The scent of jasmine and sandalwood — both symbols of Mysore — permeates the entire city. Chamundi Hill with the Chamundeshwari Temple offers panoramic views over the city and the palace. The five-meter-high Nandi bull (Shiva's mount) on the way to the summit is carved from a single block of granite and has impressed since the 17th century.