Recently I travelled to Mysuru for 2 days with my parents- a small getaway from Bengaluru. We did not travel with a specific itinerary, we decided that we would visit only a few places – KRS dam, Mysuru Palace and the Venugopalaswamy Temple.
Here is a brief about where I went –
Venugopalaswamy Temple
First I visited this temple on the backwater of the Rriver Kaveri. The history of this place dates back to the 12th century and was built by the Hoysalas around the same time as the Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura, Mysore district. However, it was submerged when the KRS Dam was built in 1909 under Sir M.Visvesvaraya. By 1930, the entire erstwhile village of Kannambadi was completely buried underwater. For more than 70 years the temple lay underwater, when the Khoday Foundation under the guidance of philanthropist Mr. Sri Hari Khoday took up the task of relocating and restoring the temple. The new site is about one km to the north of the original site; the backwaters would touch the outer walls of the temple if the water level of the KRS touched 124.80 ft, its maximum capacity. The restored Venugopala Swamy temple complex is a massive granite structure built in the Hoysala style of architecture. It involves a main courtyard and a magnificently sculpted smaller courtyard. Beautifully carved motifs adorn the ceilings, pillars and the walls of the temple. The Venugopala Swamy idol (Lord Krishna playing the flute as a cowherd) graces the sanctum sanctorum, surrounded by individual shrines for other deities i.e Lord Shiva and Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Ashtadikpalas, Sapta Rishis, Navagrahas, Dashavataras and the 7 sacred rivers. In addition, a replica of the Hampi Stone Chariot outside the main courtyard adds beauty to the structure. Surrounded on 3 sides by the backwaters, this temple is located at a serene spot and offers peace to all those who visit here and is a must visit spot in Mysuru
KRS Dam & Brindavan Gardens
Next stop was Brindavan Gardens & the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam.
A little history flashback- In 1911, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a renowned engineer and statesman, was appointed as the chief engineer for the KRS Dam project. With his expertise and meticulous planning, construction work commenced in 1911 and continued for nearly a decade.
Now the Brindavan Gardens- The garden is maintained by the Cauvery Niravari Nigama (Cauvery Irrigation Corporation), a Government of Karnataka enterprise. It is spread across an area of 60 acres. The main attraction of the park is the musical fountain in which bursts of water are synchronised to the music of songs. There is also a lake within the garden with boating facilities available for visitors.
The KRS Dam holds immense importance in Karnataka’s agricultural landscape, serving as a lifeline for irrigation and water supply. The dam harnesses the waters of the Kaveri River, channeling them through an extensive network of canals to irrigate vast tracts of agricultural land. This ensures a reliable water supply for farmers, enabling them to cultivate crops and sustain livelihoods even during dry spells.
Additionally, the reservoir created by the dam helps regulate water flow downstream, mitigating the risk of floods during monsoon seasons and providing a steady supply of water for domestic and industrial purposes. The KRS Dam thus plays a crucial role in supporting the socio-economic development of the region, ensuring food security and livelihood opportunities for millions of people.
Mysuru Palace
Mysuru Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, stands as an architectural marvel and a testament to the rich heritage of the Wadiyar dynasty. The history and origins of this magnificent palace date back to the 14th century when the original wooden structure was built on the same site. Unfortunately due to a fire the wood palace was burnt down and in its place a new palace was built using inflammable materials.
The palace’s design and architecture reflect a harmonious blend of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles, showcasing a unique fusion of influences. The grandeur of the palace is evident in its intricate craftsmanship, ornate domes, and vibrant colors that adorn its facade. Each architectural element tells a story of cultural exchange and artistic brilliance, making Mysuru Palace a symbol of cultural synthesis.
The Palace has four entrance, Main entrance is called “Jaya Maarthaanda” to east, “Jayarama” to North,”Balarama” to South, “Varaha” to west. The Palace, encircled by a beautifully designed expansive garden, is a three-story structure made of stone and adorned with marble domes. It also features a five-story tower that reaches a height of 145 feet. The most notable aspect of the palace is its deep pink marble domes crowning the grey granite three-story building, a design by Henry Irwin. The portico showcases seven large arches, with the central arch flanked by two smaller arches, all supported by tall, elegant pillars.
One of the most renowned features of the Mysore Palace is the public Durbar Hall, historically used by kings to host ceremonial meetings. At its entrance stands a life-size plaster of Paris statue of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. The Durbar Hall captivates with its marble floor, diverse decorated corridors, and walls adorned with paintings from Hindu mythological epics, portraits of the royal family, and depictions of gods and goddesses. Each painting narrates stories of the Royal family and Mysore’s historical grandeur. Large mirrors on the walls further enhance the hall’s overall beauty.
Kalyana Mantapa, an octagonal hall, was the venue for royal weddings and significant events. Its corridors are adorned with paintings depicting various royal functions, such as the Dussehra procession, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV’s birthday, Durga Puja, Ayudha Pooja, and Krishna Janmastami. The hall’s stained glass ceilings with peacock and floral motifs, a grand chandelier, and mosaic-tiled floor add to its stunning beauty. The Doll’s Pavilion, or Gombe Thotti, showcases a remarkable collection of traditional dolls from the 19th and early 20th centuries. It also features various Indian and European sculptures and ceremonial items, including a wooden elephant howdah adorned with approximately 84 kilograms of gold. the Portrait Gallery, consisting of various painting of the royal Wadiyar family. Located on the southern section of Kalyana Mantapa, this gallery displays a range of paintings and photographs of the royal family such as Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV portrait, black and white images of Jayacharamajra Wadiyar’s wedding to a Jaipur princess.
One of the most attractive features of the Mysore Palace is its temple complex, which houses several Hindu temples protected by the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. The oldest temple, the Sri Lakshmi Ramana Swami Temple, located in the western part of the palace, is renowned for a legend where a blind man was cured in 1599, a story recorded in the Mysore Royal family archives. This temple also hosted the child coronation ceremonies of Raja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1799. The Kodi Bhairava Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Bhairava, is another significant temple within the palace.
Adjacent to the South Gate of the palace is the Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple, which showcases ancient architecture in the Hoysala style. The Sri Trinayaneshvara Swami Temple, now within the palace grounds due to its expansion, was originally outside the Mysore Palace.
The Sri Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, was built by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1829 to honor the dynasty’s Yadu Vamsa roots. The Kille Venkatramana Swamy Temple holds great religious significance for the royal family. During Tipu Sultan’s rule, Queen Lakshmammanni, wife of Krishnaraja Wadiyar II, brought a statue of Lord Venkataramana from Balamuri, following a divine instruction in her dream, and consecrated it in this temple, which is said to have brought good fortune to the dynasty. On the northern side of the Palace is the Sri Bhuvaneshwari Temple, built by Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1951, while the southeast corner houses the Sri Gayatri Temple, also constructed by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1953. The Mysuru Palace is a beautiful and a must visit spot for all tourists.
My visit to Mysuru was a very pleasant trip where I learned much about our rich history and culture carefully handed down by our ancestors and most importantly the beauty it brings into our lives. Although I did miss the visit to Chamundi Hills, that is a story for another time.
