Welcome to Heritage City MYSORE
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by: eilixtechnologies
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Situated in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau, Mysore District is an undulating tableland, covered in parts by granite outcrops and fringed by verdant forests. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the history of South India. Mysore District is a popular tourist destination, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendour of Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots.
Mysore city is at 770m above sea level and 140 kms from Bangalore. Also known as the Heritage City & City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm, that never fails to enchant.
Mysore was the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, feudatories of the Vijayanagar Empire, who declared their independence in the 16th century and ruled in Mysore until independence, barring three decades when Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan wrested power from them. Mysore today, is a pleasant city with an old world charm, contributed by its broad shady avenues, well laid out gardens, fine buildings and a salubrious climate.
Origin of Name
According to Hindu mythology, the area around Mysore city was once the domain of the demon king Mahishasura, who grew almost invincible and wreaked havoc on the world. The Goddess Chamundeshwari, vanquished the demon after an intense ten day struggle. The Goddess is therefore also known by the name Mahishasura Mardhini (Slayer of Mahisha). The battle and the victory are commemorated by the annual nine-day Navarathri festival to this day. The name Mysore is the anglicised version of Mahishûru which is derived from Mahisha. This legend renders the temple of the Goddess Chamundeshwari, located atop Chamundi Hills in Mysore, an important place of pilgrimage.
History
The history of Mysore is closely linked to the history of the Kingdom of Mysore. References from the times of Mahabharata and Asoka refer to Mahisha Nadu or Mahisha Mandala. References can also be found in Tamil literature about Ezimahi Nadu. The earliest documented evidence of the town is in the form of stone carvings in old Kannada(Saasanas) found in villages around Mysore, inscribed around 1021 CE. From 1499 the name Mahisûru has been recorded in inscriptions. During the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Mysore kingdom served as a feudatory, gaining sovereignty after the empire fell in 1565 CE. Till the year 1610, when Srirangapatna was acquired, Mysore was the center of Wodeyar administration. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore after the death of Tippu Sultan at the end of the Anglo-Mysore Wars in 1799 [3].
The administrative center was shifted to Bangalore in 1831, when the British moved their garrison from Srirangapatnam (on the outskirts of Mysore) to the Bangalore Cantonment. Mysore once again became the capital of the kingdom in 1881 with the rendition of power by the British to the Wodeyars. Most present day historical landmarks, and the organisation of the city of Mysore, were inspirations of the Wodeyar kings and their Dewans. Plans for organised development of the city exist from as far back as 1904. The period between 1910-1945 is considered the most important in the modernization of the kingdom. Several industries (including a steel mill) were begun, an efficient railway system was constructed, as was a network of irrigation canals, art and culture flourished under the patronage of royalty, and the educational system was revamped.
Palaces
Mysore is called the City of Palaces as a result of the number of palaces situated in the city, including Amba Vilas (Main Mysore Palace), Rajendra Vilas (the summer palace, situated on the Chamundi hills) and Jayalakshmi Vilas (now in the University of Mysore premises). The main palace of Mysore was burnt down in 1897, and the present day structure was built on the same site. The palace exhibits a mixture of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic, Roman and Oriental architectural styles. Even though the Government of Karnataka now maintains the Mysore palace, a small portion of the palace has been allocated for the erstwhile Royal family to live in. The Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion was constructed by Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar for his daughter Jayalakshammanni. It is now a museum dedicated to folk culture. A new gallery is being added for artefacts and collections of the Wodeyars of Mysore.
DASARA FESTIVAL
This festival is held in October every year in Mysore city and is celebrated with pomp and pageantry, echoing the grandeur of its royal past. Dasara celebrates the victory of good over evil, marking the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the goddess Chamundeshwari. The palace and city are lit up for ten days and the entire city wears a festive look. Festivals of music, dance and theatre are held. The Dasara exhibition, craft fairs, film festivals and vajramushti (traditional wrestling matches) entertain visitors. The highlight of the festivities is the Dasara procession held on Vijayadashami, the tenth, penultimate day. It is led by caparisoned elephants carrying an idol of goddess Chamundeswari seated in a golden howdah (elephant seat). Following, are decorated horses, folk dancers and colourful floats. The procession wends its way from the Maharaja's palace to the torch light parade ground. the procession then returns to the palace. The closing ceremonies include cultural performances from different states, gymnastic and equestrian events, followed by a torch light tattoo and fireworks.
Climate
Mysore lies in the tropics, with summer temperatures ranging from 21 to 34 degrees Celsius, while winter sees the temperatures dropping down to from 12 to 30 degrees Celsius. The city gets an average of 86 centimetres of rain annually, most of it during the monsoon, in the June–October period.
Business and Economy
Industries, including those manufacturing tyres (Vikrant Tyres), textiles (K. R. Mills, now Atlantic Mills), Axles manufacturer (Automotive axles Ltd.), electronic systems (Larsen & Toubro), earthmoving and mechanical systems (BEML), silk (KSIC) and those producing software (Infosys, Wipro, SPI (Software Paradigms International, Comat Technologies Pvt. Ltd.,(COMAT), along with education and tourism (centered around numerous attractions and the Dushera Festival), are significant contributors to the economy of Mysore.
Infosys has established its global training center with an investment of over 65 mn$, and with a training capacity of about 4,500 people in Mysore. Wipro has its Global Service Management Center (GSMC) for serving the eastern markets here. This center also serves as a backup to Wipro's Global Command Center in Bangalore.
Mysore contributed Rs 370 crores to Karnataka's Rs 38,000 crore IT exports in 2005. There are a number of small IT companies that make a significant contribution, albeit inconspicuously (unlike the big IT companies). Efforts are being made by the current state administration to persuade IT companies to move to Mysore, to ease the infrastructure burden on Bangalore and enhance the overall development of the state.
Education and research at the University of Mysore, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSRTI), Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Karnataka State Open University (KSOU),Shri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering(SJCE), Regional Institute of Education, The University School of Design (Architecture) and various medical, dental, pharmacy, engineering, and science colleges contribute to the economy and academic reputation of Mysore.
Transport
State highways 17, 33, 86, 88 pass through Mysore connecting it to nearby cities. The existing four-lane road linking Mysore to Bangalore is being upgraded to a six-lane highway, thus significantly reducing the commute time. Mysore is the railway junction for the district, and rail lines connect Mysore city to Bangalore to the northeast via Mandya, the rail junction at Hassan to the northwest, and Chamarajanagar via Nanjangud to the south east. The nearest airport is at Bangalore. The Mandkalli Airport, approximately 4 miles from the city, is currently inoperative, although paragliding and, occasionally, aeroplane rides are offered at this location. A memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed by the Karnataka government and the Airports Authority of India, leading to the redesign and extension of the airport.
Mysore has intra-city, inter-city and suburban public bus transportation. Traditional means of transport available in other Indian cities like Autorickshaws and Taxis are also available. Tongas (horse drawn carriages) are also available, but usage is declining.
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SANJAY RAJ
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