A 2 day tour of Mysore, Somnathpur, Srirangpatna & Shravanbelgola

Day 1: Somanathapura Keshava Temple + Mysore Palace + Devaraja Market

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   The Keshava temple at Somanthapur has been recently classified as a World Heritage monument by UNESCO. It is an extraordinary temple built in the 13th CE during the reign of the Hoysala dynasty. It is one of the top 3 temples among the 92 built by Hoysalas during their reign. The temple is built on a star-shaped platform with high-quality sculptures all around. The most prominent features of this temple are the highly symmetric & geometric lathe-turned pillars; 16 ceilings inside the temple with each one different but with a motif of banana flower; exquisite statues of Venugopala & Janardhana in 2 of the 3 sanctum sanctora; the highly intricate vimanas; 480 elephants carved on the bottom level with each one different from the other; a galaxy of gods & goddesses; etc. It took 500 artists about 40 years to build this temple which was later vandalized by the marauding Mughals in the 14th CE. It stands abandoned from a ritualistic perspective but stands tall as an artistic achievement.
2. 2h · Admission ticket included
   The Mysore Palace is the most extravagant and luxurious palace in South India. It is called the "Palace of Versailles" of India. It was built in 1912 in Indo-Saracenic style with the Chief Architect being Henry Irwin, an Englishman. The grandeur of Mysore Palace is such that it is embellished with - tiles from England, marble from Italy, Chandeliers from Czechoslovakia, cast iron pillars & stained glasses from Scotland, teak wood from Burma, jaguar bronze statues from England, etc. The Mysore palace stands in the middle of a sprawling 45 acres of land which houses many temples as well. It is divided into two halves - one (better) half managed by the State Govt while the other belongs to the royal Wodeyar family. The fame of Mysore Palace is such that it attracts as many visitors annually as the Taj Mahal!
3. Devaraja Market
   30m
   One of the most fascinating visits to South India, especially in the eyes of Western travelers, is this colorful and vibrant market. A visit to this market has become a quintessential part of Mysore itineraries. So much so that sometimes international travelers seem to prefer a visit to this market more than other well-known monuments. This 365-days-a-year market is laid out on a rectangular grid and has separate sections for Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers. It is so photogenic that tourists let loose themselves often forgetting the paths they took. Add to this the street vendors, perfume makers, chai-wallahs, garland makers, color pigment sellers, etc. all vie with each other to garner your attention and sell their wares to you. If ever you want to see a microcosm of India at work, visit a market such as this. Come and experience it yourself!

Day 2: Chamundi Hill + Srirangapatna + Shravanabelagola + Shopping (if you wish)

1. Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
   1h
   Chamundi Hills, which form the backdrop of Mysore, is an inseparable part of Mysore. Built on top of this hill is a temple dedicated to Chamundeshwari who slayed Mahishasura the demon. In fact, the town of Mysuru is derived from the name of this demon. The temple attracts so many people that is almost impossible to visit it. But to compensate, there is a quiet and ancient Shiva temple in the vicinity. The color, the fervor, the bazaar, the offerings, the priests, flower-sellers, vendors, cows, shop-keepers, shoe-keepers, photographers, talisman sellers, etc jostle for space on this happening hill top. In fact, the environs of the temple is more interesting and arresting than the temple itself!
2. Daria Daulat Bagh
   40m · Admission ticket included
   Daria Daulat bagh, literally meaning "Wealthy Garden" is a charming palace built in late 18th CE. The palace & garden was created by Tipu Sultan to house his harem outside the Fort area. This palace has much more to offer than what it's somber facade suggests - the largest battle-scene murals in the country; vibrant floral motifs drawn with vegetable colors; 200-year-old block-printed silk adorning the ceilings; pencil sketches of Tipu Sultan's final moments before dying on the battlefield; medallion minted by the British to honor its soldiers; a painting that captures the fall of Srirangapatna; beautiful paintings of Forts held by Tipu; ornate teak wood carvings all around; period furniture from 18th CE; swords & other weapons from Tipu's armory; a 3-D painting of Tipu by John Zoffany whose eyes & shoes follow you 180 degrees; cannons & cannon balls in the vicinity of the palace; beautiful mango trees, araucarias, mahoganies, etc in the garden; pigeon holes at the entrance; and so on!
3. Srirangapatnam Fort
   30m
   Srirangapatna is a historic town that was the former capital of the Wodeyar dynasty and later of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Srirangapatna is actually an island formed by two arms of the river Kaveri which is considered as the Ganges of the South. It is a town enclosed in a double-walled fortress which was first built in the 16th CE and later fortified in the 18th CE. This fort is surrounded by water on 3 sides and a moat dug around on one side. Srirangapatna has a string of attractions both for Indian as well as International visitors such as - the fort itself; Sriranganatha temple; Col. Bailey's dungeon; ruins of Tipu palace inside the fort; the impressive summer palace 'Daria Daulat Bagh' outside the fort; mausoleum of Tipu 'Gumbaz'; river ghats for bathing and rituals; the place where Tipu's dead body was found; Jami Masjid & its minarets; etc. A drive around the fort area and a visit to Tipu Palace is suggested.
4. Shravanabelagola
   1h 30m
   Shravanabelagola, literally meaning 'the white pond of the jain monk', houses the tallest monolithic statue in the World. It was carved out by a monolithic block of stop atop the Vindhyagiri in 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a Jain follower of the region. Sharavanabelogola is the most important Jain pilgrimage centre in South India.

Pickup details

The driver will look for you at the lobby of the hotel or at the location at the appointed time. He may get in touch with you through whatsapp on text or call.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• During tourist season and holiday season, rooms in Mysore are priced dynamically. Please choose "Without Accommodation" so that you may book hotels based on your budget.
• Some suggestion on which hotel to book in Mysore - Radisson Blu, Royal Orchid Metropole, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Sandesh the Prince, JP Fortune, Grand Mercure, etc.