Things to do in Mysore, India

Mysore is a charming Indian city that has always impressed foreign travelers. It is a very clean city and one of the well planned cities of India.
The people of Mysore are very friendly and are known to be of helpful nature. If you are traveling to Bangalore then it makes sense to make a trip to Mysore and spend a couple of days here. Some of the most popular things to do in Mysore include
- Visit the Mysore Palace
- Visit the Brindavan Gardens
- Climb the Chamundi Hill
- Shop at Devaraja Market
- Bonsai Garden
Mysore is one of the most attractive cities of South India. Unlike other cities in India, Mysore is not bereft from greenery and here you will not find swanky malls at every nook and corner. There are many Things to do in Mysore but we will focus on only five of those.
1. Visit the Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace is also known as the Ambavilasa Palace and it is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The rooms have beautiful mosaic floors and has carved wooden doors.
The balconies in the palace afford a great view of the gardens. You must try to visit the palace on a Sunday evening because at exactly 7pm thousands of light bulbs are lit up simultaneously and the palace looks marvelous in the illumination. If you are visiting the Palace during the day you can hire the services of a guide.
2. The Brindavan Gardens
Actually Brindavan Gardens should be right on top of your Things to do in Mysore list. You can spend an entire evening here and enjoy the ethereal beauty of the place.
The garden has a unique symmetric design which makes it all the more popular among the tourists. The musical fountain show is held in the evenings and it should not be missed at all.
3. Climb the Chamundi Hill
The Chamundi Hill is located on the outskirts of Mysore and you need to overcome close to thousand steps to reach the top. The temple is dedicated to Hindu goddess Chamundeswari. It is a relatively small temple but busy throughout the day.
You can actually make some extra payment to enter the temple through a side entrance. If you are too tired to climb to the top then you can hop on one of the auto rickshaws that are parked at the foothills.
4. Shop at Devaraja Market
The Devaraja Market is a busy but colorful marketplace where you can get fruits and vegetables along with handbags, souvenirs and perfumes. The incense sticks are really good and you can buy a lot of these cheap products. However, for genuine Mysore Sandalwood Oil head to the Cauvery Emporium which is located nearby. Here you can also get incense sticks and pure silk saris albeit a bit more expensive than Devaraja Market.
5. Visit the Bonsai Garden
The Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden boasts of more than 400 species of bonsai. The most interesting feature of this place is that there are precious stones kept here and it is believed that its vibrations help to maintain peace and happiness.
Not many people will be tempted to include this attraction in their Things to do in Mysore list but we do believe that sight is still worth a visit.
You will be surprised to know that Mysore is one of the few Indian cities that offer Walking Tours. These are basically 2 hr tours and a wonderful way to explore the beauty of this city.