The kings of the Wodeyar dynasty set the bar high for the southern cultural capital of Mysore. Ornate palaces and the Gothic St. Philomena's Church with its 175-foot spires pack a visual punch; local institutions keep Carnatic classical music and dance in the public eye. A prominent 11th-century temple sits atop 1,000 steps on the city's outskirts. Dress to the nines and party like a... More

The kings of the Wodeyar dynasty set the bar high for the southern cultural capital of Mysore. Ornate palaces and the Gothic St. Philomena's Church with its 175-foot spires pack a visual punch; local institutions keep Carnatic classical music and dance in the public eye. A prominent 11th-century temple sits atop 1,000 steps on the city's outskirts. Dress to the nines and party like a rock star in celebration of Mysore heritage during the lively Dussehra festival, held for 10 days in October/November. Less

Famous for its eponymous toys, Channapatna is a great place to visit if you are curious to know how these wooden toys are made. This traditional craft is protected. The small town has a few factories and a few home workshops where you can watch craftsmen at work. While at Channapatna, you also can shop to your heart’s content for souvenirs.

61 Reviews

This was once the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. It’s a good place for hiking and birding. The hill also has temples dating back to the Chola period. It gets extremely crowded on weekends. The hills offer great views of the surroundings, though.

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154 Reviews

This is the site of the first hydro-electric power station in Asia, set up in the early 20th century. The Gaganachukki and Barachukki waterfalls are best visited post monsoon, when there’s abundant water.

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19 Reviews

Lepakshi, in the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh, is easily accessible from Bangalore. The beautiful Veerabhadraswamy Temple and India’s largest monolithic granite Nandi (a bearlike creature) make for a great day-trip option.

The rocky outcrops of Ramnagaram make for a good day-trip option from Bangalore. Ramnagaram offers trekking, hiking, rock-climbing and rappelling possibilities. These activities can be organized by companies specializing in outdoor activities in Bangalore. A view at sunset, from atop the Ramadevara betta, is a great way to end an active day.

40 Reviews

Ranganathittu is a bird sanctuary that can be visited throughout the year by bird lovers. Easily accessible from Bangalore, enroute to Mysore, visiting this place is a great option for both children and adults. Visit early in the morning and hire a boat. November heralds in the winter migrants who stay put until March, adding to the already numerous varieties of birds you can see here.

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