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"KARNATAKA beckons
you - a land of lovely garden cities, ornate temples and historical
monuments - a land abounding in scenic beauty of all charms.A changing
pageant of cultures,religions,life-styles and customs has left its mark
on this land,making it a fascinating blend of colours."
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The city of Mysore,139 km. from Bangalore,
is
aptly called the "Sandalwood City". As the visitor enters this city of
gardens and avenues of flowering trees, he is greeted by aromas of
sandalwood,rose,jasmine and other fragrance. It stands by a hill named
after the Goddess Chamundi.
Mysore is quiet and placid unlike the industrial
and cosmopolitan capital city of Bangalore. The aura of grandeur and
royalty is still there in Mysore,the official capital of the erstwhile
Maharajas. Wherever you are in Mysore, you find the reflection of the
lavish ways of the former royal rulers. Every edifice stands with a
palatial touch - be it the city railway station or a government office
or any institution. Buildings with vaulting archways and majestic domes
are a common sight in Mysore.
The best time to visit Mysore is during Dasara
(September-October). The Dasara time is one of great splendor and
magnificence. The entire city wears a bright new look for 10 days,
bathed
in light, joy and colour. On the tenth day (Vijaya Dashami),the former
Maharaja leads a procession through the streets of the city, seated in a
golden howda on an elephant, headed by camels and accompanied by
caparisoned elephants, horses, palanquins, silvercoaches and
standard-bearers with silken banners. After sunset, a review is held at
the Bannimantap Maidan amidst a blaze of lights. For Mysoreans Dasara is
both a royal as well as a religious festival.
Sandalwood oil, agarbathis and incenses manufactured in
Mysore are exported all over the world. There are innumerable craft
centers dealing in a wide range of ivory, sandalwood, rosewood and teak
carvings and furniture.
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