UNTOUCHED MYSORE

My journey from the Bangalore Railway Station  on December 15th 2021 had to start at 6:00AM but defaultly the train I had to board the HAMPI EXPRESS was delayed by an hour. After waiting for 1.5 hrs with no clue about the arrival of the train having no option I boarded another superfast tuticorin express at 7:19AM

It was 9:35AM when I read Mysore Junction on the yellow board present on the platform bringing a small smile on my excited face... This was finally happening!!! I am in Mysore!!! This is something I've always dreamt off!!! My mind constantly reminded me this!!! My heart started pounding faster... There were butterflies in my stomach and my throat started choking!!!
After getting down the Train having no idea about the exit followed my fellow passengers only to end up on the deserted Street with two dogs sleeping on the centre of the Road!! Subsequently managed to find an auto to my very first stop in the city 'THE DEVARAJA MARKET'

The market crowded with people moving in & around selling & purchasing things indifferent of the outside world, while the Vendors were busy in captivating customers by their impressive costs & attractive presentations of the commodities, customers were busy in getting attracted towards it & bargaining for it. devraja market witnessed people selling the small heaps of vermillion powders, flowers, vegetables, unique fruits and what not!!! The fragrance of Mysore Mallige spread throughout  the market, the fresh heart shaped beetal leaves with water droplets throughout the leaf arranged in those circular patterns was so overwhelming & delightful for both eyes & heart!!!
Time required: 30mins
Location: Devaraja Mohalla

After a brief walk inside the market went to the corner of the road to find a small Sweet shop present there from the 18th Century after Mysore Pak was accidentally made by the royal chef Kakasura Madappa. The Shop now owned by the fourth madappan clan still maintains the authentic taste of the Mysore pak made from home made ghee, besan flour & milk.
Cost: ₹600/kg for the best variety of Mysore Pak
Must try: Mysore Pak, Milk cake, Ladoos
Location: Devaraja Market

Following the purchase of Mysore pak from Guru Sweets it was now time for me to look after my hunger pangs, so took an auto to the 80yr old eatery the Vinayaka Mylari Hotel where they serve the hot soft Mylari dosas with butter on top and coconut chutney anyone would love to have. As said "any breakfast is  incomplete without coffee." Ordered a coffee that was the perfect blend of the decoction, milk & sugar refreshing both mind &soul.
Cost: ₹30/dosa           
             ₹20/coffee
Must Try: Masala Dosa, Coffee, Idly, Vada Location: Nazarbad

Once satisfied with the stomach filling breakfast went to catch a bus In order to visit the famous, one among the 18 maha Shakthi peethas-  The Chamundeshwari temple nestled atop of the Chamundeshwari hills.
It's history backs to puranic times after Lord Vishnu cut Sati's Body into 51 parts by his sudarshan chakra so as to protect the world from imbalance due to Shiva's sorrow after Sati had killed herself by jumping into the yagya kunda, it is said that her hair had fallen in this region turning this into one of the Maha Shakthi peetha.. called krouncha pitha
This temple being the symbol of victory for good over the evil is also believed to be dedicated to Goddess Chamundi after killing 2 demons chand & Mund
There is also a statue of Mahishasura, a demon  who was killed by goddess Chamundi at the same spot on the hill where he was killed.
Time required: 20 - 60mins depending on crowd
Special darshan also available
Cost: ₹30 / ₹100
Location: Chamundeshwari Hills

After seeking the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari there I was in the India's first Sand Museum located at the foothills of the Chamundi hills.
It is a compact museum having various 3d sand sculptures depicting numerous stories of Gods, Mahabharata, Ancient Greek, Under waters, Mysore Dusheherra, Christmas, horror world & so on...
There are also various activities like archery, 3d photo Shop and different shops selling homemade chocolates, souvenirs, dry fruits and spices.
Entry fee: ₹50/person
Duration: 20mins
Location: Foothills of Chamundeshwari Hills

Just few metres away from the Sand Museum is the melody wax museum having the India's Largest collection of musical instruments. There are also the life sized wax statues holding different instruments of various cultures like the Jazz music, Punjabi Music, Tribal Music, Shastriya Sangeeta & so forth that is very pleasing to the eyes & heart.
There is also a 3d horror show and various other games like virtual reality, shooting etc..
Entry fee: ₹60/person for museum
                    ₹30/person for horror show
                    ₹30/each game
Duration: 30 - 40mins inside the museum
                     10mins horror show
Location: Siddhartha Layout

Located in front of the Melody wax museum is the underrated lake of Mysore, the Karanji lake.
The lake being surrounded by the park consists of the Great biodiversity in which the flaura & fauna co- exist beautifully.
The lake also offers boating that refreshes mind & Soul after an exhausting day.  There are also many aquatic birds that catches our attention throughout boating.
Next to the lake is the butterfly park having the largest walk in Aviary.
There's also a food court & library inside the park.
Entry fee: ₹40/person
Cost for boating: ₹60/person
Time required: 1hr
Location: opposite to melody wax museum
Best time to visit: Sun set & Sun rise
Things to do: Boating, bird watching, walking

After enjoying the beauty of the biodiversity & boating in Karanji Lake there I took a bus for one the oldest & the largest Churches in India- st. Philomena Church having phenomenal architecture & a history of around 200 years initially was constructed by the British for their worship. The church also has a underground directly connecting to the Mysore palace.
Duration: 10mins
Location: Lourdes Nagar

Being the historic relic and heritage structure was built to commemorate the silver jubilee of Nalvadi krishnaraja Wadiyar.
Location: Backside of Mysore Palace

In front of the clock tower is the pride of Karnataka- THE MYSORE PALACE which attracts large number of people from around the world. It being an incredible man made edifice depicts India' complex and intriguing past.
The palace having 4 gates should be entered by southern gate only.
The huge palace has ambari which is taken to processions during Mysore Dusheherra during which the palace comes into life.
Entry fee: ₹100/person
Duration: 1- 1:30mins
Location: Chamrajpura

As my tour was reaching towards an end took an auto to visit the last place in my bucket list the Railway Museum, it being the Second Railway Museum in the country maintained by the Indian railways is the open air museum showing the revolution of the Indian Railways and the different kinds of railways seen in India. There's also the queen' s saloon preserved in the form of coach.
There's a small toy train that takes us around the museum.
There's also children's play area, cafeteria and a shop inside the museum.
Entry fee: ₹50/person
Duration: 30-60mins
Location: Backside of the Mysore junction Railway station

This is pretty much how I ended my trip in Mysore. The clock showed 5:00PM I left the Museum and walked up to the railway station and bought myself a ticket for Bangalore in the the next train The HAMPI EXPRESS which was at 6:35PM
After waiting for 1.15hours the train finally puffed out of the station as the sky appeared darker & Slowly Mysore got left behind... But the memories I have created, the lessons I have learnt & the new experiences would remain with me FOREVER....
Mysore became familiar, strangers became friends And my heart filled with lots of love, Happiness, contentment & Gratitude towards the Heritage city, MYSORE & the people living there...
MYSORE YOU HAVE ALL MY HEART....