Mysore Diaries

I had heard a lot about Mysore City – Cleanest City, Safe for Travel, Shopper’s paradise. This curiosity made me visit Mysore and two (girls) of my friends tagged along with me. So, it was 4 days of all girls trip from Mumbai to Mysore.

Best time to visit Mysore – Starting from October. Try to visit Mysore during Navratri and Dusshera. The city is completely in festive mood and lit up.

How to reach - We travelled from Mumbai to Bangalore by air, and then right outside Kempegowda Airport we took KSRTC fly bus to Mysore. We had pre-booked the bus tickets from KSRTC website.  You can check their website here -  KSRTC Website

 Its hassle free booking and bus starts from airport and stops at Mysore bus depot. Journey takes around 4 hrs with one stop at Kamath Hotel for refreshment. The buses are surprisingly comfortable and clean. In fact, lot better than flight seats.

Tip – Do not forget to carry printout of the e-ticket which you will receive by email. Also, identity proof is important while boarding the bus.

Fly Bus timings KSRTC

TIME SCHEDULE
Origin	Destination	Dep.Time	Arr. Time
KIAB	MYSURU	2:00	5:30
KIAB	MYSURU	4:30	8:15
KIAB	MYSURU	8:30	12:30
KIAB	MYSURU	10:30	14:30
KIAB	MYSURU	13:20	17:20
KIAB	MYSURU	16:00	20:00
KIAB	MYSURU	18:00	22:00
KIAB	MYSURU	19:15	23:15
KIAB	MYSURU	21:00	00:45
KIAB	MYSURU	23:55	03:30
MYSURU	KIAB	01:00	04:30
MYSURU	KIAB	04:00	07:30
MYSURU	KIAB	07:00	11:00
MYSURU	KIAB	10:00	14:00
MYSURU	KIAB	13:00	17:00
MYSURU	KIAB	15:00	19:00
MYSURU	KIAB	18:00	22:00
MYSURU	KIAB	22:00	01:30
MYSURU	KIAB	23:00	02:30
MYSURU	KIAB	23:45	03:30
KIAB	KUNDAPUR*	21:00	06:00
KUNDAPUR*	KIAB	19:00	05:30
Road Transport Enquiry Numbers

KSRTC City Bus stand	0821-2425819
KSRTC Reservation	0821-2443602
KSRTC Suburb Bus Stand	0821-2443490
Rural/Suburban Bus Stand	0821-2520853

Where to Stay :-

We stayed at Hotel Ginger (Plot no 678, 4, Nazarabad Mohalia, Vasant Mahal Rd, Near Nazarabad Police Station, Opp. Vasant Mahal, Mysuru, Karnataka 570010) which is decent place just in middle of the main city. Also, Mysore palace and main market is just 2 kms away from this hotel.

Special mention :- Hotel Green(2270, Chittaranjan palace, vinoba road, jayalakshmipuram)

Its palace turned into hotel which I had discovered while doing online research. I was tempted to book our stay at this hotel but it is little far from main city and that’s the reason why we choose Hotel Ginger over Hotel Green. However, this hotel also has restaurant where we had our lunch. This place also has amazing bakery which served yummy cakes – Malgudi Coffee Shop.

Tip :- If you are not staying at Hotel Green, do visit their restaurant and Bakery. Try their Walnut and Date cake.

How to get around :-

1. Local Transport – Rickshaw or City buses. We hired pre-paid rickshaw from Mysore depot to Hotel Ginger(where we stayed). Next day for few hours we commuted in the city by rickshaw and the charges were genuine (I was surprised that the prices were not loot). Also, there are many city buses that takes you around and out of the city to major sports like Chamundi Hills and their frequency is good.
2. Something to consider while you are travelling in different states of India. We rented a self-driven car from  Zoomcars. It was comfortable and hassle free booking procedure and car which we got was well-maintained. Also, zoomcars are available almost in major cities of India. 

Zoomcars pickup is available at Garuda Mall, Mysore (Walkable distance from Devraja Market and Mysore palace).

Sightseeing :-

1. Mysore Palace - (Timings 10AM to 5:30 PM) Best to visit inside in morning and visit at Night to see lit up palace.
2. St. Philomena Church – (2.4km) from Mysore Palace... appx 10 mins(Timings – 5 am to 6:30 pm) Constructed in 1939 using Neo Gothic Style. Architecture inspired by Cologne Cathedral Church, Germany.
   

3. Chamundi Hills – (11 km) from Mysore palace…appx 25 mins (Temple timings 7:30 am to 2 pm, 3:30 pm to 6pm, 7:30 to 9 pm)

4. KSIC Silk factory visit - Mananthody Road, Ashokapuram, Mysore(Sundays closed)
    (Timings – 8.30am-4pm Mon-Sat, outlet 10.30am-7pm daily) Buy silk sari from KSIC factory outlet shop for genuine rates.

5. Government Sandalwood oil Factory - Ashokapuram, Mysore(Sundays closed) (Timings – 9:30 to 1 and 2 to 5pm
6. Mysore Zoo – (2 kms) from Mysore palace. We didn't visit this place as we believe that animals shouldn't be kept in enclosure but should allow to be free in wild.
7. Brindavan Garden - For those who think that Brindavan Gardens is in Mysore..sorry to break your bubble - It's not! It's around 24 kms from main Mysore city. 
8. Srirangapatna Town – (20 km) appx 35 mins. Dedicate half day for this town. It has few sightseeings - Sri ranganathanswamy temple, Fort, Sangam, Tipu Sultan’s death place, Lal mahal palace, Bathing Ghats, Gumbaz, Dariya daulat bagh.  
   
9. Sand Museum - Worth visiting this small museum at foot of the chamundi hills.
   

 All in all, Mysore is a beautiful city which you must not miss. It has rich culture, friendly and beautiful people and of course it promises decent vacation in India.

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