CHAMUNDI HILLS - The backdrop of the city is the 1,100-feet-high Chamundi Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family’s patron deity. To reach the temple one can either drive through the 13-km stretch up or climb the 1,000 stone steps. Halfway up along the stone steps stands the majestic 4.8-metre monolith of Nandi the Bull, Lord Shiva’s chosen mount. The statue is believed to be 300 years old and itschief attraction, apart from its size, is the meticulous craftsmanship of its ornaments.
SRIRANGAPATNAM - About 15 km from the royal city of Mysore lies the town of Srirangapatnam. One of the interesting places here are the summer palace of Tipu Sultan built in 1784 in the Indo-Saracenic style. The palace also has a small museum where Tipu’s trivia, including a gold-embroidered tunic, old paintings and a coin collection, are displayed. A little away from the palace is the Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan and his father, Hyder Ali.
BRINDAVAN GARDENS - A half-hour\’s drive from the city takes to the Brindavan Gardens. The well-manicured steps of these world famous terrace gardens are bordered by watercourses. Musical fountains with soft coloured lights adds delightto the visitor’s eyes.
LALITHA MAHAL PALACE - The Lalitha Mahal was built in the 1930s The main attraction of the palace is a staircase of Italian marble branching off from a landing to reach the first floor hall. Surrounded by velvety green lawns and stately trees, the Lalitha Mahal is now a prestigious hotel of the India Tourism Development Corporation.
MYSORE PALACE - Built in around AD 897 in Saracenic style, the Mysore palace has both Hindu as well as Muslim influences. The palace, designed by an English architect and completed in 1912, was built in place of an earlier palace which was burnt down in 1897. The central hall, incredible in its beauty, was used for marriages and other major gatherings. The Dussehra procession, starts from here. The palace also houses a museum which has a collection of musical instruments, children’s toys, many paintings, costumes, weapons, etc., belonging to the Maharaja’s family.
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