Mysuru (Mysore), the “City of Palaces,” is one of South India’s most elegant and enjoyable cities: a former royal capital of broad avenues, gardens and Indo-Saracenic palaces at the foot of Chamundi Hill, about 140 km (87 miles) southwest of Bengaluru. For almost six centuries, from 1399 to 1947, it was the seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore, interrupted in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, the “Tiger of Mysore.” The great Mysuru Palace, lit by about 100,000 bulbs on festival evenings, is among the most visited monuments in India, and every autumn the city hosts Mysuru Dasara, a ten-day state festival celebrated here since 1610 that ends with a procession of caparisoned elephants. Mysuru is also known for silk, sandalwood, incense, yoga schools and Mysore Pak, and at about 770 m (2,530 ft) above sea level it is milder than the plains. Most visitors stay two or three days, combining the palace, Chamundi Hill and the markets with trips to Srirangapatna, the Hoysala temple at Somanathapura and the wildlife parks of Bandipur and Nagarhole. In 2026, Dasara runs from 11 to 21 October.
Right now in Mysuru
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Mysuru at a glance
- Best for: palaces and royal history, Dasara, temples, silk and sandalwood shopping, yoga, and a base for Karnataka’s Hoysala temples and wildlife parks.
- How long: 2 days for the city; 3 or 4 with Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and a safari.
- Best time: October to February, when days are warm and dry; Dasara 2026 runs from 11 to 21 October.
- Getting there: from Bengaluru, about 2 to 3 hours by train or 3 hours on the expressway; Mysuru’s small airport has a few domestic flights.
- Getting around: on foot around the palace and market, otherwise by auto-rickshaw, app cab or city bus.
- Good to know: Mysuru has no e-Visa entry airport, so international visitors usually arrive through Bengaluru.
- Before you go: the e-Visa, the online e-Arrival card, money, trains and general safety are in our India travel guide.
Mysuru’s areas and where to stay
Mysuru is compact and easy to navigate. The palace sits in the middle of the old city, with the market and main shopping streets to its north and west, the railway station to the northwest and Chamundi Hill rising 13 km (8 miles) by road to the southeast.
Around the palace
The streets surrounding the palace, including Sayyaji Rao Road and the area toward the zoo, are the heart of the city and of Dasara. Hotels here range from budget lodges to heritage properties, and you can walk to the palace, the market and the illuminations. It is busy and noisy during the festival.
Devaraja Market and the old city
North of the palace, around the Devaraja Market and the clock tower, the old commercial district is full of flower sellers, spice shops, incense makers and small restaurants serving dosas. Budget hotels cluster near the railway station and the Central Bus Stand.
Gokulam and Jayalakshmipuram
These leafy residential neighborhoods northwest of the center are known for their yoga schools (shalas), which attract long-stay students from around the world. Homestays, guesthouses and cafés cater to this crowd, and the pace is quiet.
Lalitha Mahal and the Chamundi foothills
Southeast of the center, the white Lalitha Mahal Palace, built for visiting dignitaries and now a heritage hotel, stands below Chamundi Hill. The area is green and quiet, with a few upscale hotels and resorts.
Top things to see in Mysuru
Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas)
The Mysuru Palace, also called Amba Vilas, is the city’s crown jewel, a grand Indo-Saracenic building completed in the early 20th century that blends Hindu, Rajput, Mughal and Gothic elements. According to Karnataka Tourism, it draws more than six million visitors a year. Highlights include the Kalyana Mantapa (wedding hall) with its stained-glass dome and mosaic floors, the Durbar Hall with its painted ceilings and arches, the Ambavilasa private audience hall, murals of royal processions, and the Doll’s Pavilion. The Golden Throne is displayed only during Dasara. According to the official Mysuru Dasara website, the palace is open for visits from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and entry tickets are sold separately from Dasara tickets. Arrive at opening time to avoid crowds; shoes are left at the entrance, cameras are restricted in some areas, and the palace is wheelchair accessible. The royal family still lives in a part of the complex.
The palace illuminations
The palace is lit by about 100,000 bulbs, a scheme first lit a century ago for the Maharaja’s Dasara. According to the Dasara organizers, outside the festival the palace is illuminated on Sundays and public holidays from 7 to 7:45 p.m., and during Dasara from 7 to 10 p.m. every evening, until midnight on Sundays and on Vijayadashami. The forecourt is free to enter in the evening during the festival; arrive by 6:30 p.m. for the moment when all the lights come on at once.
Chamundi Hill and the Chamundeshwari Temple
At the top of Chamundi Hill, the Chamundeshwari Temple is dedicated to the goddess who, according to legend, killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura, from whom the city takes its name. The goddess is the family deity of the Wadiyars, and the temple, with its tall gopuram, is the starting point of Dasara. Halfway up, a huge monolithic Nandi (Shiva’s bull) is carved from the rock. You can drive or take a bus to the top, or climb more than 1,000 stone steps in about an hour, early in the morning; the views over the city are best at sunrise.
Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery
Built in 1861, the Jaganmohan Palace served as a royal residence while the main palace was being rebuilt and now houses an art gallery with rare Mysore-style paintings in gold leaf, works by Raja Ravi Varma, musical instruments and royal memorabilia. It is a short walk west of the main palace.
Devaraja Market
Mysuru’s 19th-century covered market is a riot of color: piles of jasmine and marigold, cones of kumkum powder, betel leaves, bananas and spices. Go in the morning, when it is busiest, and look for sandalwood oil and incense sticks, for which Mysuru is famous.
St. Philomena’s Cathedral
One of the largest churches in India, St. Philomena’s is a neo-Gothic cathedral with twin spires inspired by Cologne Cathedral. Relics of the saint are kept in the crypt.
More classic sights
- Mysuru Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens): one of the oldest zoos in India, close to the palace.
- Karanji Lake: a lake with a walk-through aviary and migratory birds in winter.
- Rail Museum: a small open-air museum with royal carriages and old locomotives.
- Sand Sculpture Museum: about 150 sculptures on 16 themes, on the road to Chamundi Hill.
- Brindavan Gardens: terraced gardens and an evening musical fountain below the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, about 20 km (12 miles) northwest.
Mysuru Dasara 2026
Mysuru Dasara, the Nada Habba (state festival) of Karnataka, celebrates the goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over Mahishasura over the nine nights of Navaratri and Vijayadashami. According to the official Mysuru Dasara website, run for the Mysuru Dasara Committee of the Government of Karnataka, the 2026 festival runs from Sunday 11 to Wednesday 21 October, opening at the Chamundeshwari Temple on 11 October. Highlights include:
- Jumboo Savari (21 October): the grand procession. After the Pushparchane to the goddess in the golden howdah, scheduled for 4:10 to 4:35 p.m., the elephants leave the palace through the Balarama Gate and follow a 5 km (3-mile) route along Sayyaji Rao Road to Bannimantap. The howdah holds about 80 kg (176 lb) of gold and weighs about 750 kg (1,650 lb) in all.
- Torchlight Parade (Panjina Kavayathu): military and police bands, cavalry and fireworks at Bannimantap, from about 7 p.m. on 21 October, with a rehearsal on 20 October.
- Palace illumination: every evening from 7 to 10 p.m., free from the forecourt.
- Cultural programs: music, dance and theater every evening from 5 p.m. on stages across the city.
- Flower Show: 11 to 21 October, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Kuppanna Park; the Aahara Mela food festival runs from 11 to 25 October at the Maharaja’s College Ground.
Most of Dasara is free, including the whole procession route. Ticketed options, sold only through TicketGenie, the official partner, include the Gold Card from ₹6,500 (palace, Chamundi Hill and zoo entry, plus seats for the procession, Torchlight Parade and drone show), procession seats in the palace enclosure from ₹3,500, Torchlight Parade seats from ₹1,500, and the drone show on 17 or 18 October from ₹1,000. The voucher must be exchanged for a physical ticket before the event; carry photo ID. On procession day, private vehicles are held at parking hubs outside the center from 11 a.m., and the festival control room answers on 1077. Book rooms by early September.
Other things to do in Mysuru
Food and drink
Mysuru is the home of Mysore Pak, a rich sweet of ghee, sugar and gram flour, and the Mysore masala dosa, smeared with red chutney inside. Other local favorites are bisi bele bath (spiced rice and lentils), chitranna (lemon rice), ragi mudde (finger-millet balls with curry), shavige bath and obbattu (sweet flatbread). Breakfast at a traditional darshini (quick-service vegetarian restaurant) is a Mysuru institution; the old city has several famous ones. For meat, try Mysuru-style mutton dishes and the military hotels (non-vegetarian canteens). Drink bottled or filtered water.
Shopping
Mysuru is famous for silk: the state-run silk weaving factory and government showrooms sell genuine Mysore silk saris at fixed prices. Sandalwood products, incense, rosewood inlay and Mysore paintings are other specialties. Buy from government emporiums or reputable shops, as fake sandalwood and “silk” are common.
Yoga
Mysuru is one of the world’s centers for Ashtanga yoga, and many shalas in Gokulam and around the city offer drop-in classes and month-long courses. Book ahead for the winter season.
Day trips from Mysuru
- Srirangapatna: Tipu Sultan’s island fortress capital on the Kaveri, about 15 km (9 miles) north, with the Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu’s tomb (Gumbaz) and the Daria Daulat Bagh, his teak summer palace with painted walls; on the ASI’s booking site, foreigners pay ₹250 online and Indians ₹20.
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: river islands with nesting storks, ibises and crocodiles, near Srirangapatna; best from December to August.
- Somanathapura: the 13th-century Keshava Temple, a jewel of Hoysala carving and part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, about 35 km (22 miles) east.
- Bandipur and Nagarhole: tiger reserves in the forests of the Western Ghats, about 80 km (50 miles) south and southwest, with forest-department safaris.
- Shravanabelagola: the giant 10th-century statue of the Jain saint Bahubali on a hilltop, about 85 km (53 miles) north.
- Kodagu (Coorg): coffee hills and misty valleys, about 120 km (75 miles) west, better as an overnight trip.
- Bengaluru: the state capital is an easy trip by train. See our Bengaluru travel guide.
Getting there and getting around
By air
Mysuru Airport, about 12 km (7 miles) south of the palace, has only a few domestic flights. Most travelers fly into Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, about 170 km (106 miles) away, which is a designated e-Visa entry airport; buses run from the airport to Mysuru, or you can take a train from the city.
By train
Mysuru Junction is well connected to Bengaluru, with frequent trains; according to the Dasara organizers, the Vande Bharat takes under two hours and other services about three. Direct trains also run to Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
By road
The Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway makes the drive about 3 hours, and Karnataka state buses (KSRTC) run very frequently between the two cities. Roads continue to Ooty, Coorg, Bandipur and Hassan for the Hoysala temples.
Around the city
The center is flat and walkable, though the distances between the palace, Chamundi Hill and Brindavan Gardens call for an auto-rickshaw, app cab or city bus. Horse-drawn tongas wait outside the palace. Mysuru has no metro. Bicycles can be rented through a public bike-sharing scheme and from guesthouses.
When to go and how long to stay
Mysuru’s altitude gives it a pleasant, warm climate for most of the year. October to February is the best time, with highs of 28 to 29 °C (83 to 85 °F) and cool mornings around 16 to 17 °C (61 to 63 °F). March to May is hot and dry, with highs around 34 °C (94 °F) and thunderstorms from April. The southwest monsoon, from June to September, brings frequent but moderate showers, and October is the wettest month as the northeast monsoon arrives, so Dasara often has some rain. The table shows 1991–2020 normals for the Mysuru station from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); rainy days are days with at least 2.5 mm of rain.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (rainy days) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 °C (85 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | 1 mm, under 1 day | Dry, sunny, cool mornings |
| February | 31 °C (89 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F) | 2 mm (0.1 in), under 1 day | Warm and dry |
| March | 34 °C (92 °F) / 19 °C (67 °F) | 13 mm (0.5 in), 1 day | Getting hot |
| April | 34 °C (94 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in), 5 days | Hottest; afternoon storms |
| May | 33 °C (92 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F) | 128 mm (5.0 in), 7 days | Hot with thunderstorms |
| June | 30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (69 °F) | 77 mm (3.0 in), 6 days | Monsoon; cooler and green |
| July | 29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in), 8 days | Frequent light rain |
| August | 29 °C (83 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F) | 97 mm (3.8 in), 8 days | Showers; Dasara elephants arrive |
| September | 30 °C (85 °F) / 20 °C (67 °F) | 102 mm (4.0 in), 7 days | Showers |
| October | 29 °C (85 °F) / 20 °C (67 °F) | 163 mm (6.4 in), 8 days | Wettest; Dasara |
| November | 29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F) | 68 mm (2.7 in), 4 days | Rains easing; pleasant |
| December | 28 °C (83 °F) / 17 °C (62 °F) | 13 mm (0.5 in), under 1 day | Cool, dry; peak season |
The city gets about 830 mm (33 in) of rain a year, spread from April to November.
Two days in Mysuru
Day one: the palace at 10 a.m., the Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery, lunch in the old city, Devaraja Market in the afternoon and, on a Sunday or holiday, the palace illumination at 7 p.m. Day two: sunrise climb up Chamundi Hill past the Nandi, St. Philomena’s Cathedral, then an afternoon in Srirangapatna and an evening at Brindavan Gardens.
Four days with temples and wildlife
Add a day to Somanathapura and Shravanabelagola, and a night at Bandipur or Nagarhole for morning and evening safaris.
Where to stay in Mysuru
- Around the palace: budget to mid-range hotels within walking distance of the palace and Dasara events.
- Near the station and bus stand: budget lodges, convenient for trains and buses.
- Gokulam and Jayalakshmipuram: homestays and guesthouses for yoga students and longer stays.
- Heritage hotels: palace hotels such as the Lalitha Mahal and restored mansions.
- Outskirts and the KRS road: resorts with gardens and pools, best with a car.
During Dasara, prices rise sharply and the last days sell out; the organizers recommend booking by early September and list tented Dasara camps from about ₹500 a night.
What a trip to Mysuru costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about 96 rupees (₹) to the US dollar. Dasara prices are from the official Mysuru Dasara website; the Srirangapatna fee is the ASI’s online price for foreigners.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Mysuru Palace adult entry (check at the counter) | about ₹120 (about US$1.25) |
| Dasara Gold Card | from ₹6,500 (about US$68) |
| Jumboo Savari seat, palace enclosure | from ₹3,500 (about US$36) |
| Daria Daulat Bagh, Srirangapatna, foreigners online | ₹250 (about US$2.60) |
| Masala dosa and coffee at a darshini | ₹70–180 (about US$0.70–1.90) |
| South Indian thali | ₹150–400 (about US$1.60–4.20) |
| Auto-rickshaw across town | ₹60–200 (about US$0.60–2) |
| Car and driver for Srirangapatna and KRS | ₹2,000–3,500 (about US$21–36) |
| Mid-range hotel double, per night (more at Dasara) | ₹2,500–7,000 (about US$26–73) |
Practical tips for Mysuru
- Time the lights: the palace is illuminated only on Sundays, public holidays and every evening during Dasara.
- Climb early: the steps up Chamundi Hill are best before 8 a.m.; carry water.
- Buy silk and sandalwood carefully: stick to government showrooms or well-known shops.
- Book Dasara early: rooms, trains and gallery seats sell out weeks ahead.
- Carry small notes: for the market, autos and shoe stands; cards and UPI work in hotels and bigger shops.
Safety
Mysuru is one of the safest and most relaxed cities in India. Crowds are the main concern during Dasara, especially on procession day, when the route fills three deep; keep valuables close, agree on a meeting point and follow police instructions. Heat: from March to May, highs reach 34 °C (94 °F); drink water and avoid the midday sun on Chamundi Hill. Monsoon: showers are frequent from June to November and October is the wettest month, so carry an umbrella; Dasara events go ahead in light rain. Monkeys on Chamundi Hill snatch food and bags. Traffic is lighter than in Bengaluru but still chaotic; cross with care. Shopping scams involve fake sandalwood and silk and tours that end in commission shops. Food and water: eat at busy places and drink bottled or filtered water. In an emergency, call 112; during Dasara, the festival control room is on 1077.
What to pack for Mysuru
Light clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the palace and temples, easy slip-on shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen, an umbrella or light rain jacket from June to November, a light sweater for winter mornings, and comfortable shoes for the Chamundi steps. India uses 230 V, with round-pin plugs of types C, D and M. See our rain jackets and travel adapters guides.
Mysuru travel FAQ
When is Mysuru Dasara 2026?
According to the official Mysuru Dasara website, from 11 to 21 October 2026, with the Jumboo Savari elephant procession on 21 October.
Is Mysuru Dasara free?
Almost all of it is free, including the procession route, the palace illumination and the cultural stages. Gallery seats, the Gold Card and the drone show are ticketed through TicketGenie.
What are the Mysuru Palace timings?
The palace is open for visits from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Entry tickets are separate from Dasara tickets.
When is Mysuru Palace lit up?
On Sundays and public holidays from 7 to 7:45 p.m., and every evening during Dasara from 7 to 10 p.m.
How much is the Mysuru Palace ticket?
An adult ticket costs about ₹120; check the current price at the counter. The Dasara Gold Card includes palace entry.
How many days do I need in Mysuru?
Two days covers the palace, Chamundi Hill, the market and Srirangapatna. Allow three or four with Somanathapura and a safari.
How do I get from Bengaluru to Mysuru?
By train in about 2 to 3 hours, by frequent KSRTC buses, or by car on the expressway in about 3 hours.
What is the best time to visit Mysuru?
October to February, when it is warm and mostly dry. Dasara in October is spectacular but crowded.
What is Mysuru famous for?
Its palaces, Dasara, silk, sandalwood, Mysore Pak and the masala dosa, and as a center for Ashtanga yoga.
Is Mysuru safe for tourists?
Yes, it is calm and friendly. Take care in Dasara crowds, with monkeys on Chamundi Hill, and in traffic.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 5 October 2026. Dasara 2026 dates, schedule, procession timings, the golden howdah, ticket types and prices, the palace’s visiting hours, the illumination hours, travel times from Bengaluru, parking and helplines: the official Mysuru Dasara website (Mysuru Dasara Committee, Government of Karnataka); the palace’s halls, visitor numbers, illumination, Jaganmohan Palace, St. Philomena’s, the Sand Sculpture Museum, the altitude and the airport distance: Karnataka Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka); the city’s history, Chamundi Hill, Brindavan Gardens, Karanji Lake and local food: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism); the Daria Daulat Bagh fee: the Archaeological Survey of India’s e-ticket booking site; the list of designated e-Visa airports: the Bureau of Immigration; climate normals for the Mysuru station: the India Meteorological Department, via the World Meteorological Organization (1991–2020 normals archived by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information); the exchange rate: the Reserve Bank of India (FBIL reference rate). The Mysuru Palace Board’s website could not be reached, so the palace ticket price is an estimate, and distances, day-trip details and typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Prices and hours change, so check locally before you go. For the e-Visa, money and trains, see our India travel guide.
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