A land of grandeur! A land filled with richness in every form. A land of glory which reaches out to you and pulls you into its folds and leaves you with an enriching experience of an old world charm which one yearns for in this day and age. Captivating, breathtaking?do these words do justice to the capital city of the Wodeyars? The magnificent palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and imposing architecture, sacred temples and institutions, the richness of sandalwood and the aroma of incense sticks?all this just add to the love story that this city builds around you when you step foot into this magical paradise.

There?s just something about this place which beckons you to get into the laidback mode. The grandeur?the way of life?the old world charm weaves you into its loop and promises you an experience worth your while?an experience which leaves you with a profound sense of contentment.

History
Ptolemy (305-208 BC) in his accounts writes of a Kadamba kingdom, identified to be in northern Mysore. The region was successively ruled by several dynasties and kingdoms. In the 7th century AD, the Chalukyas became powerful; in the 13th, it was taken over by the Hoysalas; in 1336, the Vijayanagar Kingdom flourished here till about 1565.

Mysore came into the spotlight when Yaduraya, the first of the Wodeyars, came to Hadinadu (Mysore as it was known then) in 1399 AD. It was under the aegis of Chamaraja III that the city took shape and many of its monuments were built. The place was known as Mahisuru then, after the legend that the Goddess Chamundi killed the demon Mahishasura in this city. It is from this name that the name Mysore evolved. The Wodeyars, rulers of Karnataka for over 150 years, declared Mysore their political capital and it remained so till Independence. The rulers were connoisseurs of art and under their patronage the city achieved its cultural highpoint.

Another glorious period for Mysore started in 1782, during the rule of Tipu Sultan. He remained indomitable for almost 20 years, finally succumbing to the British in the Anglo-Mysore War. The British re-established the Wodeyars, over whom they ruled with typical tyranny.

Post- Independence, the princely state saw great economic development under Visweswaraiah. Mysore became a part of Karanataka after the reorganisation of states in 1956.

How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is Bangalore, 140 km away. It is connected to by air to all major cities of the country. The international airport sees flights to the Middle East.

Rail
Mysore has rail links with Bangalore, Chennai, and leading cities and towns within Karnataka.

Road
Bus services by Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and transport corporations of the neighboring states as well as private operators make it easy to reach the city from Bangalore (139 km), Mangalore (248 km), Cannanore (148 km), Ooty (160km), and Coorg (120 km).
Wonderla
Around 28 km from Mysore, it makes for a great weekend getaway with its fun-filled water rides and sports. The Lazy River and its waves will engulf you in a rhapsody you do not want to get out of. Wonderla Bamba, Techno Jump, the House of Horrors, and Y-Scream are some unforgettable rides. The laser show on Sunday is a big draw.

Fun Fort
Theme rides, an aqua dance floor, play pools, an African settlement, Baghdad Street, Egyptian art, and amphitheatre ensure the fort is indeed fun. Fun Fort is located in the heart of Srirangapatnam on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway

Planet X
The locals vouch it is the best entertainment complex in the city. About 5 km from the zoo and close to the Lalitha Mahal Palace, it offers Go- carting, bowling, video games, and several restaurants.