A DATE WITH ROYALS

Maharaja's residence in Mysore. Still lived in, hence, partly open to visitors. Its an impressive house. There's a princely collection of artifacts and trophies inside, and the mandatory protocol is to take off your footwear when you enter the guarded chambers. 

 The hall where Ruler met the nobility. Gifts, grants, petitions, adjudication, conspiracies, all happened in this space.

A bit of Europe in Mysore. Stained glass filtering tropical sun as it enters into royal home's lobby. A privileged lifestyle that, the once Royalty, presently share with commoners (even if for just a ticketed moment).

CHAMUNDESHWARI OF MYSORE

The Temple precincts are forbidden to Photography. No idea why. The sculptures, murals, reliefs, Deities, Deities' accompanists, elaborately carved pillars, the pyramidal head of the temple - they all beg to be drawn, painted and photographed. But apart from the cautionary line on signs there is the temple staff wielding a forbidding finger. No photo !

Chamundeshwari Temple at Mysore situated atop a hill, draws devotees and tourists in thousands everyday. An exquisitely crafted deity is woken up (the~hours~are~fixed)by~some~pleasant~rhythmic~sounds,~prayers~of~devotees,~fragrant~smoke,~serving~of~her~favourite~food,~and~their submission before her.

  

"You see, I actually wanted to see THIS place...( !! )"

If you, upon a whim, decide to hop on to a train leaving Bangalore and destined for Mysore, you wouldn't be disappointed. A three hour ride from the big, bustling city of Bangalore lands you at the serene, green and refreshingly clean small city of Mysore (Mysuru). Its the perfect town for a short vacation. Grand palaces, abandoned palaces, magnificent gardens (Brindawan), Deities presiding over hills, the enchanting landscape.... And the local food ? Delightful !

When the visitor un-conversant with the local language tries to explain himself with multi-linguistic and theatrical tools, its a sight for the onlookers. Some reach out to assist, some respond with their own linguistic, theatrical tools, and a few revel in this moment of awkwardness. That's half the fun of travelling to unseen places. 

HISTORY'S REMINDERS

They were Palace Guards when the grand edifice was a Palace. Its an expensive hotel now, so they no longer thwart the commoners but cheerfully greet the visitors. Lalith Vilas Palace in Mysore, once the summer resort of royalty. (the older Palace that you wouldn't want to miss lies in the heart of the city, simply called the City-Palace)