.MYSORE

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

MYSORE AREA CODE- 0821

BUS RESERVATION ENQUIRY

ROADWAYS ENQUIRY -- 131/139

MYSORE BUS STAND IN CHARGE -- 9980915214

CITY BUS STAND IN CHARGE -- 9980915216

SUBURB STAND -- 2443490

CITY BUS RESERVATION -- 2425819

CITY BUS ENQUIRY -- 2424995

RAILWAY ENQUIRY

ARRIVAL/ DEPARTURE -- 133/2422401

PLATFORM ENQUIRY -- 134/ 2428400

RESERVATION -- 131/ 2422130

RAILWAY TICKET STATUS -- 1361/1362/1363

TOURIST INFORMATION

K S T D C -- 2444997/ 2423652

DEPT OF TOURISM -- 2422096/ 2421833

HOSPITALS

VIKRAM HOSPITAL -- 2412121

BHARATH CANCER HSPITAL -- 4280011/ 22/ 33

B G S APOLLO HOSPITL -- 2566666/ 2568888

BM HOSPITAL -- 2511771

KAMAKSHI HOSPITAL -- 2545981

MISSION HOSPITAL -- 2446644

CHALUMBA HOSPITA -- 2428950

KR HOSPITAL -- 2423300

E S I HOSPITAL -- 2512298

24 HOURS PHARMACY

MISSION HOSPITAL -- 2446644

JANATHA BAZAR DRUG UNIT -- 4269806/ 4264804

VIKRAM HOSPITAL -- 2412121

24 HOURS PETROL BUNKS

PRASHANT SERVICE STATION -- 2420183/ 2420450

VASUDEVA SERVICE STATION -- 2402249

ARAVIND SERVICE STATION -- 4280391

VK FUEL STATION -- 2547539

IBP AUTO SERVICE -- 2340377/ 4281651

MOBILE SERVICE

AIRTEL -- 9845098450

HUTCH -- 9886098860

CELLONE -- 9448024365

SPICE -- 9844098440

RELIANCE -- 3090009

TATA INDICOM -- 5552111

TOUCHTEL -- 5251234

AMUSEMENT PARKS

G R S FANTASY PARK -- 2582781

PLANET X -- 309034/3090300

BREAKDOWN SERVICES

MARUTHI -- 9845112149

TATA -- 9844065169

TOYOTA -- 9845284885

SILK MANUFACTURES

KARNATAKA SILK INDUSTRIES CORPORATION -2481803

POSTAL ENQUIRY

HEAD POST OFFICE -- 1914/ 2417326/ 304

SPEED POST -- 2417305/ 2417325

POLICE STATIONS IN MYSORE

Ashok Puram 2418321

Devaraj Mohalla 2418106

Traffic Police Station 2418126

J.L Puram 2418116

K.R. Police Station 2418119

Kuvempunagar 2418324

LakshmiPuram 2418120

Mandi Mohalla 2418113

Metagalli 2418115

Narasimaharaja Mohalla 2418112

Nazarbad 2418108

Saraswathipuram 2418123

Udayagiri 2418109

V.V Mohalla 2418114

Vidyaranyapuram 2418122

Vijayanagar 2418317

LIBRARY

District Central Library 2425875

City Central Library 2423678

Reader's Home 2514326

Rotary Children's Library 2420992

Under Graduate Library 2421688

VETERINARY

0821)

Chamundipuram 2483174

City Veterinary 2423451

Industrial Suburb 2489010

KG Koppal 2344052

NR Mohalla 2494651

Nazarbad 2444612

Snake Shyam 9448069399

AIR LINES- DOMASTIC & INTERNATIONAL

INDIAN AIR LINES -- 2426317/ 141

AIR DECCAN -- 9580-39008888

KINGFISHER AIRLINES -- 1800-1800-101(TOLL FREE)

PARAMOUNT AIRWAY -- 1800-180-1234

JETLITE -- 1800-223-020/080-30302020

SPICE JET -- 09871803333

JET AIRWAYS -- 080-39893333

GOAIR -- 09223222111

INDIGO -- 09910383838

MDLR AIRLINES -- 09971303030

JAGSON AIRLINES -- 09920270776

AIR FRANCE -- 080-25226651

ALITALIA -- 080-25591936

BRITISH AIRWAYS -- 080-25239890

CATHY PACIFIC -- 080-22269745

KUWAIT AIRWAYS CORPORAION -- 080-25586098

SRI LANKAN AIRWAYS -- 080-41480554

EL-AL ISRAEL AIRLINES -- 080-22272575

LUFTHANSA AIRLINES -- 080-25229850

EGYPT AIRLINES -- 080-22249502/ 503

QANTAS -- 080-22264719

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES -- 080-25594540

SINGAPORE AIRLINES -- 080-22867869

SWISS AIR INTERNATIONAL -- 080-25320078

LALITHA MAHAL PALACE / FOLKLORE MUSEUM

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LALITHA MAHAL PALACE

Built at the foot of the Chamundi hills, Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV has built this palace in the year1921; it was designed after the St.Paul’s Cathedral in London. Several ornamentation’s in the building are reminiscent of British palaces. The palace has pleasant surrounding and is presently converted into a star hotel maintained by ITDC.

FOLKLORE MUSEUM

Mysore University (Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion) at Manasa Gangothri is converted in to folklore museum and is renowned for its folklore objects. The Museum is open from 10.30am to 5.00pm expect Sunday and Government holidays.

DHARMASTALA

Rakshasa tel que représenté dans un spectacle ...

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The Manjunatha Temple at Dharmastala is a very important centre of Jain pilgrimage, situated about 75kms east of Mangalore on the lower slopes of the Western Ghats. Dharmastala is frequented by hundreds of pilgrims every day. Regular buses connect Dharmastala to Mangalore.

MUDABIDRI

35kms northeast of Mangalore is the town of Mudabidri that has 18 Jain bastis. The oldest of them is the 15^th century Chandranatha Basti colloquially known as the 1000 pillared hall. This impressive temple has a stone roof surmounted by a gabled and tiled wooden roof. Mudubidri is sometimes described as the Jain Varanasi.

VENUR

The tiny hamlet of Venur is about 15kms from Mudabidri with eight bastis and the ruins of a Mahadeva temple. On the banks of the River Gurupur stands an 11m tall Bahubali statue dating back to 1604.

KARKAL

Karkala situated 20kms north of Mudabidri has several important temples and a 13m high Bahubali statue completed in 1432. to the north is the Chaturmukha Basti built in the 16^th century.

MANGALORE

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Mangalore has been an important port on the Arabian coast for centuries. In the 14^th and 15^th century, it traded with Persian and A rab merchants. It was a shipbuilding centre during the reigns of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. With Tipu’s defeat by the British in 1799, the city was incorporated as the capital of South Kanara district.

The modern port, 10kms away from the city centre is today India’s 9^th largest cargo handling zone and is the major centre for the export of cashew nuts and coffee. The completion of a deep water port in 1976 coupled with the influx of large industries including petrochemicals and power plants has made this once quiet hilly city into a bustling metropolis southwest India. However, Mangalore has a nonchalant tropical ambience and makes a pleasant and relaxing stopover between Goa and Kerala.

Places of Interest

1. Museums

2. St.Aloysius College Chapel

3. The Mangala Devi Temple

4. Kadri Hills

5. Ullal Beach

6. Suratkal Beach.

CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE

Photograph taken by me (Dinesh Kannambadi) at ...

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One of the capitals of the Hoysala Empire, Belur is renowned for its magnificent Hoysala temple complex comprising of the Chennakeshava Temple, built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana in 1116AD, is acknowledged as one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, and is said to have been built to commemorate his victory over the Cholas.

The temple complex displays some stunning works of rich ornamentation and architecture, including the gigantic statue of Lord Vijaya Narayana, hand lathe turned filigreed pillars and numerous sculptures. The main entrance of the shrine is guarded by twin statues of a youth slaying a tiger the royal symbol of the Hoysala dynasty. The fringes decorating the walls depict scenes from the Ramayana. The temple also displays a sculpture of Shanthala devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana, in the smooth circular platform in front of the shrine, and the winged figure of Garuda. Lord Vishnu’s carrier at the entrance facing the temple. The most marvelous specimen found at the temple, however, are the angled bracket figures depicting celestial nymphs.

The walled court of the Chennakeshava Temple housed the impressive shrine of Chennigaraya, Viranarayana, Sridevi and Bhoodevi, within its precincts all displaying intricate carvings and sculptures.

Getting there- Hassan – 38km

HASSAN

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Hassan is 115km from Mysore, and at an altitude of 957m above sea level. This picturesque town in the heart of the Malanad region is also the district headquarters. The original town, adjacent to the village of Channapatna, was founded in the 11^th Century by Channa Krishnappa Naik. But it was the Hoysalas who brought worldwide acclaim to the region with their unique style of architecture.

Hassan is named after Goddess Hasanamba(the smiling goddess), who is the presiding deity of the town. Her temple is opened once a year for about a week, during the second Aahwayuja( October),and a big Jatra (Shandi or fair) is held on this occasion. Festive season are a good time to visit, as the whole town comes alive with music, colour and excitement. Hassan is surrounded by six other districts, and is well-connected by rail, road to all major cities of South India making it a convenient base to explore heritage centers like Belur, Halabeedu, Shravanabelagola and Somnathpur.

MADIKERI

Image by Ravages via Flickr

Madikeri is the capital town of Kodagu district. This elevated charming town formerly known as Mercara is an excellent base to enjoy Kodagu country side. Kodagu , which means dense hill country, is the smallest district in Karnataka and is spread over a delightful area in the Western Ghats,with rolling hills, forests, coffee plantations and hiking opportunity.

The kodagu’s or Coorgi’s, as they are better known had a unique culture and are fiercely independent. They are best known for their coffee, beautiful women and high-ranking military officers. Believed to be descendants of migrating Persians and Kurds they are proud of their martial traditions and are very hospitable. They also have a distinctive cuisine, in which pork curry and rice dumplings are all time favourites.

Madikeri is well connected by bus services to all major places in this part of the country although there are no air or rail services to this town. It is easy enough to walk around although autos are available.

MADESWARA HILLS (MM HILS) / NANJANGUD / GOPALASWAMY HILLS

Hindu God Ganesha depicted in this Mysore styl...

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About 133 km from Mysore, a famous pilgrimage place has a temple dedicated to Sri Mahadeshwara and attracts large number of devotees from all the country during the festivities. A Rathothsava will be held during Kartikamasa and Shivaratri.

NANJANGUD

This small town is situated on the banks of Kapila, one of the tributaries of River Cauvery. Nanjundeshwara temple is the main attraction here. It is built in Dravidian style and is supported by 147 columns; the car festival that’s held here by the end of March is a well-known event.

GOPALASWAMY HILLS

This popular hill station is a delight for trekkers situated in the western ghats of Mysore Dist. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The speciality of this sanctum is that it remains cool during all seasons. Visitors and trekkers should get prior permission from the Forest Department to avail the traveler’s bungalow if planning for an overnight stay.

SHRAVANA BELAGOLA / BELUR / HALEBIDU

The statue of Gomateshwara ಗೋಮಟೇಶ್ವರ of Digamb...

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It’s situated some 100 km from Mysore. This place is a Jain pilgrimage centre and is considered as one of the oldest and important Jain cultural epicenter in India. The mammoth statue of Lord Bahubali is the main attraction of Shravanabelogala. A Ganga dynasty King constructed this in 981 AD. This is the world’s tallest monolithic statue that stands tall in an imposing 17 meter height from the majestic hill Indragiri. Mahamastabisheka is due in the year 2018.

BELUR

Situated 156 km from Mysore and 40 km from Hassan, this prime attraction is a 12^th century Hoysala temple constructed by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. It’s a Channakeshava temple where Lord Vishnu deity is worshipped daily. It will be a long lasting memory if one gets an opportunity to witness the morning 10 am or Evening 7 pm ritual. This temple is considered as the finest specimen of Hoysala artistic and engineering excellence. Its great work in stones has representation of sages, birds, cultural & social life of that period. This temple is open from sunrise to sunset and there is no entrance fee. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the inner sanctum of the temple.

HALEBIDU

Hoysaleshwara temple is the major attraction of Halebidu. This incomplete Hoysala temple is the most outstanding specimen of Hoysala architecture. Its construction began by 1121. Even after 80 years the temple wasn’t completed. The routine rituals started only after those 80 years. Its open daily from morning to evening and the entrance is free.

TRIUMAKUDLU NARASIPUR / GOMMATAGIRI / CHUNCHANAKATTE / SUTTUR

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Located 52 kms from Mysore at a confluence of three rivers, the Cauvery, the Kabini and the mythical Sphatika Sarovara, this place is an important pilgrimage center. It was sanctified by the sage Agasthya, who is said to have founded the Agasthyeshwara Temple. The Agasthyeshwara Temple complex contains many monuments belonging to the Ganga, Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagar periods.

GOMMATAGIRI

The granite statue of Gomateshwara in early Vijayanagar style, dominates the summit of the 50 meter hill. This Jain centre attracts many pilgrims during annual abhisekha (anointing ceremony) in September.

CHUNCHANAKATTE

The town traces its name to a dam (katte) said to have been built by a chieftain, Chuncha, the Cauvery River, after it crosses the dam, flows through a rugged rocky valley, cascading into a waterfall at two levels. The Kodanda Rama Temple, built in late Vijayanagar style, is the site of an annual 15 day jatra (fair) including cattle fair.

SUTTUR

Fourteen kms from Nanjangud, Suttur is well known for the Shivarathreeshwara Math which runs many educational institutions and hostels in the area. Inside the math premises, is the triple shrined Mahadeswara Temple in Hoyasala style. An annual jatra (fair) is held in honor of its pioneer saint, Shivarathreeshwara.

SOMANATHAPURA / SHIVANASAMUDRAM / TALAKAD

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Somnathapur is situated around 35 km east of Mysore and is famous for the Hoysala Temples that are still in excellent condition. A visit to either Somnathpur or Belur-Halebid is an experience, for here you see a style of architecture unique to the region. The temples were built in the twelfth to thirteenth centuries by Hoysala rulers and their officials. Each small, compact, structural temple is lavishly decorated with sculpture and the profusion covers every inch of wall space. This tightly packed sculptural scheme is exclusive to Hoysala art and was never replicated. A bangle could be made to rotate on a sculpted hand and stone bells could be made to ring on a statue.

SHIVANASAMUDRAM

Shivanasamudram is situated around 75km from Mysore. Shivanasamudram means ‘SEA OF GOD’ is 25kms downstream; where the Cauvery plunges over 100m into a series of wild and inaccessible gorges. The twin waterfalls Gaganachukki and Bharachukki are the most alluring spots near the island. The first Hydro Electric Project in India was commissioned here in1902.

TALAKAD

This is an ancient town, situated on the left bank of the River Cauvery, 60 kms south east of Mysore. Sri Kirtinarayana, Sri Kartikeya,

Sri Vaideeswara, Sri Pataleswara and Sri Maraleshwara temples are present here and also several monuments lie buried in the sand. Panchalinga Darshanam Jatra will be held once in 12 years coinciding with existence of some stars.

BILIGIRI RANGASWAMY TEMPLE AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY / BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

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B.R.Wildlife Sanctuary is about 90 kms from Mysore towards Chamarajanagara. Stretching over 525sq km, this sanctuary located at 1350m above the sea level among the B.R.Hills is hard to reach, but cool and scenic. The best time to see wild life here is between the months of June to October, when the animals come out for water at the end of the dry season. There are wild elephants, sloth bear, barking deer, sambar and wild dogs apart from about 60 different species of birds. On the highest peak of the hills is the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple the focus of the Ratha Festival every year in April. Permits are required to enter the sanctuary, and these are easily obtained from the Forest Department Office in Chamarajanagara. There are direct buses from Mysore every day.

BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

Bandipur National park forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is joined to the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. A popular game resort of the rulers of Mysore. The flora in the forest comprises teak, rose wood, hone, mathi, bamboo and sandal trees. It is mainly pristine moist deciduous forest with over 50 species of trees and over 200 varieties of flowers. There are tigers, jackals, sambar, barking deer, mouse, deer, and wild dogs, including a large numbers of monkeys apart from wild elephants and over different species of birds including the great Indian horned owls. The best time to visit is between March and April although the most comfortable time is between November and February. Visitors can hire elephants or vehicle to go around the park. The park is tiger reserve in the country under the project tiger scheme.

Kokkrebellur Bird Sanctuary / MELKOTE / NAGAMANGALA / HOSAHOLALU

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AROUND MYSORE

Kokkrebellur Bird Sanctuary: The Bird Sanctuary is situated about 10 kms from Maddur on the Bangalore-Mysore Road. Painted stork and pelicans come here during the breeding season commencing in January till the end of June.

MELKOTE

Situated in the rocky hills of Yadugiri, Melkote is well known as the birthplace of Great Visistadvith Philosopher Ramanuja. It is located 50kms North from Mysore in Mandya Dist. This very quite and serene place draws pilgrims to the Chellapillai Temple present in the vicinity. The idols her are Krishna and Narasimha and are constructed on the topmost peak. Vairamudi is celebrated in the month of Phalguna, the month in the Hindu calendar under the Pushya Nakshatra, The Vairamudi,which will be kept in the Mandya district treasury, will be brought under heavy security to the temple for the festivities, The festivities begins from April 1^st with the ceremonial flag-hoisting or dhwajarohana, followed by various alankaras everyday. On the seventh day is the rathotsava, followed by teppotsava and the avagrutha on the ninth day.

NAGAMANGALA

The principle attraction of this town north of Melkote is the Saumyakeshava Temple built in the 12^th century and later added to by the Vijayanagar kings. The sanctum is kept locked expect at prayer times.

HOSAHOLALU

Home of the Lakshminarayana Temple the village of Hosholalu is 20kms west of Melkote. This temple is a superb example of 13^th century Hoysala architecture.