Mysore stands second in size in the state of Karnataka after Bangalore. Located at the foots of Chamundi Hills. Mysore finds its name in an ancient blockedure of Mahabharata where it is named as Mahishaka Empire. Mysore name is supposed to denote the house of devil Mahishasura. In the year 2010 Mysore has been rated as second most clean city in India and first in the state of Karnataka. Dushera festival of Mysore is much celebrated, when many tourists visit this city. Many arts, style and articles are known by the name Mysore, Like Mysore style paintings are known as Mysore Mallige. A customary turban is known as Mysore Pheta, a sweet dish Mysore Pak is very famous. Till Indias Independence Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyar Family except a brief period of 40 years rule of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. Later the state merged with Indian Union. The Wodeyars were great clients of arts and culture and they supported growth of arts and culture in their kingdom.
The climate of Mysore is pleasant with the temperature ranging between 10 degrees in winter to 35 degrees in summers. It has rainfalls of about 750 mm annually. There are many lakes in Mysore like Kukkarahalli Lake, Karanji Lake and Lingambudhi Lake. The rivers Kaveri and Kabini are located in Mysore which supplies drinking water to the city. Tourism in the main business in Mysore. The escalation of Information Technology and related industries has contributed to its growth and now Mysore is rated second after Bangalore as a software exporter. By tradition, Mysore has been abode to industries such as weaving, sandalwood carving, bronze work, and the manufacture of salt and lime. Now Mysore is a well planned business city standing fifth best city to carry out business with. The Industrial Development board of Karnataka (KIADB) has established four Industrial zones in Mysore and hence Mysore has presence of many top companies like Wipro, J.K.Tyres, Beml, and Falcon tyres, L&T, Unilog Content Solutions and Infosys etc. Mysore is known as cultural capital of Karnataka. It is called the City of Palaces as many palaces are situated in the city.
Mysore city has a good local bus transport system. By air Mysore is connected to Bangalore and Chennai. Mysore is connected by three railway routes, one line connects to Bangalore, the second link is to Hassan and the third route is to Chamarajanagar but all the three links are of single line only therefore the traffic movement is slow. A new railway development is on the cards which will improve the system. A good highway system connects Mysore to many cities. Mysore is a major tourist center in Karnataka state.
The major tourist attractions in and around the city are, Ambavilas Palace or Mysore Palace, jagmohan palace, Lalitha Mahal, Chamundeshwari Temple, St.Philomenas Church, Mysore Zoo, Karanji Lake and Kukkarahalli Lake, Regional Museum of Natural History, Folk Lore Museum and The Railway Museum. The city is also famous for its health releated yoga parlors.
A recent attraction of the city is a Wax Museum which houses above 110 wax statues and over 300 musical instruments in arrangement of many bands and stage settings. Brindavan gardens at Krishnarajasagar Dam and its musical fountains are very famous. Many historically important places lie around Mysore like Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and Talakad. Hill stations near Mysore are B.R .Hills, Ooty and Madikeri. National wildlife Parks around Mysore are Bandipur and Nagarhole. Wildlife sanctuaries are at Melkote, B.R.Hills, Ranganathittu and Kokrebellur. Places of religious interests around Mysore are Nanjanagud and Bylakuppe. A very beautiful waterfall near Mysore is Shivanasamundra.
