Mysore
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose Mysore if You want a calmer, cleaner heritage city as the south-Indian counterweight to Bangalore - palace illuminations, sandalwood and silk markets, Chamundi Hill, and a slow walkable old town three hours from BLR airport..
- Best for
- Sunday palace illumination with 100,000 bulbs, Devaraja Market jasmine and turmeric, Chamundi Hill temple
- Best months
- OctโMar
- Budget anchor
- $65/day mid-range
- Skip if
- you want a buzzing nightlife scene
Karnataka's heritage capital, a 3-hour drive south of Bangalore on the Deccan Plateau, organized around the Indo-Saracenic Mysore Palace - the Wodeyar royal residence rebuilt in 1912 and lit by 100,000 incandescent bulbs every Sunday evening and on every public holiday. Beyond the palace gates, Mysore is the country's silk, sandalwood, and agarbathi (incense) capital, with Devaraja Market piling jasmine garlands and turmeric pyramids in the centre of the old town. Chamundi Hill and its 12th-century temple watches the city from a 1,000-step staircase to the south, and the city's slower pace and cleaner air make it the standard cultural counterweight to Bangalore's tech sprawl.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Mysore
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in Mysore
๐ Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 1.0 million (city) / 1.2 million (metro)
- Timezone
- Kolkata
- Dial
- +91
- Emergency
- 112
Mysore was the seat of the Wodeyar dynasty for nearly 600 years - the family ruled the Mysore Kingdom from 1399 until India's independence in 1947, with a brief interruption under Tipu Sultan in the late 18th century
The current Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas) was completed in 1912 by British architect Henry Irwin in the Indo-Saracenic style after the previous wooden palace burned down during the 1897 royal wedding
Every Sunday evening and on every public holiday, the palace is illuminated with around 100,000 incandescent bulbs - a tradition the Wodeyars began in 1908 to celebrate Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV's coronation
Mysore is the global capital of sandalwood and agarbathi (incense stick) production - over 70 percent of India's incense, including the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap, is manufactured in or around the city
The annual 10-day Mysore Dasara festival in September or October is the official state festival of Karnataka and dates back to the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century, celebrated continuously by the Wodeyars since 1610
Mysore is one of India's cleanest large cities and was ranked the cleanest city in the country for two consecutive years in 2015 and 2016 under the Swachh Bharat survey
Top Sights
Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)
๐The 1912 Indo-Saracenic palace of the Wodeyar royal family, with stained glass, mosaic floors, carved teak ceilings, and the Durbar Hall where the maharaja still receives guests during Dasara. Try to time a visit to the Sunday evening illumination, when 100,000 bulbs outline the entire facade for 45 minutes after sunset.
Chamundi Hill & Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
๐The 1,000-step climb (or short drive) to the 12th-century temple on the hill that overlooks Mysore. The summit holds the Chamundeshwari Temple, the giant black-granite Mahishasura statue, and a wide view across the Deccan Plateau back to the palace.
Devaraja Market
๐ชA loud, fragrant 19th-century covered market piled with jasmine garlands, kumkum powders in every colour, fruit pyramids, sandalwood oils, and fresh spices. The garland section near the Sayyaji Rao Road entrance is the photogenic heart of the market.
St Philomena's Church
๐A neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral completed in 1956, modelled on Cologne Cathedral, with twin 175-foot spires that are visible across the city. The crypt holds a relic of the 4th-century Greek martyr Saint Philomena, brought from France in 1936.
Brindavan Gardens & KRS Dam
๐ฟA symmetrical Mughal-style terraced garden laid out below the Krishna Raja Sagara dam, 21 km north of the city. Best visited at dusk for the musical fountain show after sunset, when the terraces and central canal are floodlit in changing colours.
Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery
๐๏ธA smaller royal palace from the 1860s, now an art gallery holding the largest collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings in India along with rare Mysore-school traditional gold-leaf paintings. The cluttered displays are dated but the paintings themselves are world-class.
Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens)
๐ฟFounded in 1892 by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar, this is one of the oldest and best-maintained zoos in India, set across 157 acres of mature trees and naturalistic enclosures. Notable for successful breeding programs for the Indian rhinoceros and giraffes.
Srirangapatna (Tipu Sultan's capital)
๐The riverside fortress town that served as the capital of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, until his defeat by the British in 1799. Visit the summer palace at Daria Daulat Bagh, the Gumbaz mausoleum, the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, and the dungeons where Tipu held British prisoners.
Off the Beaten Path
Sand Sculpture Museum
A small private museum of monumental sand sculptures by the artist M.N. Gowri, on the road up to Chamundi Hill. The sculptures depict mythological and contemporary scenes, all built from a single 115-tonne sand pile - more impressive in person than the website suggests.
Almost no large tour groups stop here, and the artistry of the work - particularly the Ganesha and Krishna sculptures - punches well above the modest entry fee.
Mysore Sandal Soap factory store
The flagship outlet of the state-owned KSDL (Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited) on Sayyaji Rao Road, where the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap has been made from pure East Indian sandalwood oil since 1916. The full product line is sold at factory prices.
A Mysore institution that is also the cheapest place in India to buy genuine sandalwood soap, oil, and incense - the small bath bars are perfect cheap souvenirs.
Lalitha Mahal Palace heritage hotel
A neo-Renaissance white palace built in 1921 to host the Viceroy of India, now a state-run heritage hotel and the second-largest palace in the city. Walk in for high tea or a meal in the cavernous dining hall and explore the public rooms.
You do not need to be staying overnight to see the palace - the high tea on the terrace is reasonably priced and the architecture is worth a visit on its own.
Gokulam yoga district
A residential neighbourhood that has become the global home of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, where students from around the world come for months at a time to study at the Sharath Yoga Centre and a dozen smaller affiliated schools.
Even if you do not practice, the cluster of vegetarian yoga cafes, smoothie bars, and book shops gives Gokulam a distinct international hippie character that feels nothing like the rest of Karnataka.
Climate & Best Time to Go
Mysore sits at 770 metres on the Deccan Plateau, which keeps it noticeably cooler than coastal Kerala or the plains of north India year round. The climate is mild for India - a long pleasant winter from October to March, a short hot dry summer in April and May, and a moderate southwest monsoon from June to September that rarely shuts down sightseeing.
Winter
October - March59-86
15-30
The peak season. Warm sunny days and cool comfortable evenings, with December and January nights occasionally dipping near 15 degrees. Perfect weather for the palace, Chamundi Hill, and day trips to Coorg or Bandipur.
Summer
April - May72-97
22-36
The hottest period, with afternoon highs in the mid-30s but cooler than the Indian plains. Mornings and late afternoons remain pleasant, and the elevation keeps nights bearable - prices are noticeably lower than peak winter.
Southwest Monsoon
June - September68-86
20-30
Steady moderate rainfall in afternoon downpours, with bright mornings between showers. The Brindavan Gardens and the surrounding Western Ghats are at their greenest, and the heat breaks - this is an underrated time to visit.
Best Time to Visit
October through March is the peak season - cool comfortable days, clear skies, and the palace illuminations on every Sunday and public holiday. Time the visit to the 10-day Mysore Dasara festival in late September or early October if you can tolerate the crowds and the tripled hotel rates.
Peak Winter (October - February)
Crowds: High, particularly during Dasara and Christmas-New Year weekThe most popular months. Daytime highs around 28-30 degrees, cool 15-degree nights, dry sunny weather. All sights are open and the palace illumination crowds are manageable outside Dasara.
Pros
- + Perfect weather
- + All attractions open
- + Sunday palace illumination
- + Good for day trips to Coorg and Bandipur
Cons
- โ Highest hotel prices
- โ Dasara week books up months in advance
- โ Cool early-morning palace queues
Spring shoulder (March)
Crowds: ModerateA pleasant transition month before the heat. Days warming into the low 30s, evenings still comfortable, prices easing as international tourism falls off.
Pros
- + Lower hotel prices than peak
- + Still pleasant weather
- + Quieter at major sights
Cons
- โ Afternoon temperatures rising
- โ Less festival atmosphere
Summer (April - May)
Crowds: LowThe hottest period, with afternoon highs of 33-36 degrees. The plateau elevation keeps it more bearable than Bangalore or Chennai. Mornings and late afternoons remain pleasant for sightseeing.
Pros
- + Lowest accommodation prices
- + Lighter crowds at the palace
- + Bandipur tiger sightings peak as wildlife congregates at waterholes
Cons
- โ Hot afternoons
- โ Higher dehydration risk on Chamundi Hill
Southwest Monsoon (June - September)
Crowds: Low through August, surging for the Dasara festival in late SeptemberSteady moderate rainfall in afternoon downpours, with bright mornings between showers. The Western Ghats are vivid green, the Brindavan Gardens fountains run full, and prices are at their lowest outside Dasara week.
Pros
- + Lush green landscapes
- + Lowest prices
- + Dramatic monsoon skies
- + Brindavan fountains at full force
Cons
- โ Daily afternoon rain
- โ Some Chamundi Hill steps slippery
- โ Day-trip roads to Coorg and Ooty prone to landslides
๐ Festivals & Events
Mysore Dasara (Navaratri)
September / OctoberThe 10-day flagship state festival of Karnataka, celebrated continuously by the Wodeyars since 1610. The final Vijayadashami procession through the city features a caparisoned elephant carrying the Chamundeshwari idol on a 750-kg gold howdah.
Sunday & holiday palace illumination
Year-round (every Sunday and public holiday)For 45 minutes after sunset, around 100,000 incandescent bulbs outline the entire palace facade. Free to view from the palace grounds; arrive 90 minutes early for a clear viewing spot.
Mysore Yoga Festival
FebruaryA four-day international festival celebrating the city's status as the global home of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, with workshops, talks, and demonstrations centred on Gokulam.
Karnataka Rajyotsava
November 1Karnataka State Foundation Day, marked by city-wide flag hoistings, parades, and cultural programmes celebrating the formation of the state in 1956.
Tipu Sultan Jayanti
November 10The birth anniversary of the Tiger of Mysore, observed at Srirangapatna with cultural programmes, lectures, and a procession to the Gumbaz mausoleum.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
Mysore is one of the safer large cities in India for visitors, with a calm provincial-capital character, low petty-crime rates by Indian standards, and far less aggressive touting than tourist hubs in Rajasthan or Agra. The main concerns are the usual scams around major sights, monkey hassles on Chamundi Hill, and ordinary road-traffic risks.
Things to Know
- โขAuto-rickshaw drivers around the palace and railway station may refuse meters - use Ola or Uber to avoid haggling, both work reliably across the city
- โขBeware unsolicited "guides" outside Mysore Palace who will attach themselves and demand a fee at the end - hire only the official ASI guides at the ticket counter
- โขMonkeys at Chamundi Hill, the temple, and the Mahishasura statue can snatch food and bags - keep snacks and water bottles hidden inside zipped bags
- โขSolo female travellers report Mysore as comfortable in daytime, but use prepaid taxis after 9pm and avoid the area immediately around the bus stand at night
- โขThe Sunday palace illumination crowd is enormous - keep valuables in front pockets and arrive 90 minutes early to find a clear viewing spot
- โขCarry a photocopy of your passport for daytime and leave the original in the hotel safe; a copy is enough for almost all checkpoints and ticket counters
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Unified Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance)
112
Police
100
Ambulance
108
Fire Department
101
Karnataka Tourist Helpline
1800-425-1414
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers โ
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category โEstimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$15-30
Budget guesthouse near the palace, vegetarian thali meals, auto-rickshaws, self-guided sightseeing
mid-range
$40-90
Mid-range hotel, sit-down restaurants, hired car for a day trip, palace and zoo entries with a guide
luxury
$200-500+
Lalitha Mahal Palace or Royal Orchid Brindavan Garden, fine dining, private guide, full-day chauffeured car
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationBudget guesthouse (double) | โน800-1,800 | $10-22 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel (3-4 star) | โน2,500-6,000 | $30-72 |
| AccommodationLalitha Mahal Palace (heritage) | โน8,000-15,000 | $96-180 |
| FoodSouth Indian thali (lunch) | โน120-250 | $1.50-3 |
| FoodSit-down restaurant dinner | โน400-1,000 | $5-12 |
| FoodMysore Pak (sweet, per piece) | โน20-40 | $0.25-0.50 |
| FoodFilter coffee | โน30-80 | $0.36-0.96 |
| TransportAuto-rickshaw across city | โน50-150 | $0.60-1.80 |
| TransportFull-day car and driver | โน2,000-3,000 | $24-36 |
| AttractionsMysore Palace entry (foreigner) | โน200 | $2.40 |
| AttractionsMysore Zoo | โน80 / โน400 (foreigner) | $1 / $5 |
| AttractionsBrindavan Gardens | โน50 | $0.60 |
๐ก Money-Saving Tips
- โขTime your visit to a Sunday or public holiday to catch the free 100,000-bulb palace illumination - the headline experience costs nothing
- โขEat South Indian thali at local Udupi-style restaurants for โน120-250 - the same dosa and sambar at a heritage hotel costs five times more
- โขClimb the 1,000 steps up Chamundi Hill in the morning instead of taking a taxi - the climb is the experience and costs nothing
- โขBuy sandalwood soap, oil, and silk only at the government KSDL and KSIC outlets - bazaar versions are usually adulterated
- โขCombine Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens, and Chamundi Hill into a single โน2,500 hired-car day rather than booking separately
- โขMysore is small enough that a โน50 auto-rickshaw covers most in-town hops - hold off on Ola for late-night rides
- โขAvoid the Dasara week premium - hotel rates triple for the 10-day festival in September or October
Indian Rupee
Code: INR
1 USD is approximately 83-86 INR (early 2026). ATMs of SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank are everywhere in the city centre and at the railway station - international cards work reliably with a typical โน200-250 international withdrawal fee per transaction.
Payment Methods
UPI digital payments via Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are accepted by almost every shop, restaurant, and even auto-rickshaw - the easiest payment method for visitors who can link an Indian SIM and bank account. Credit cards work at hotels and larger restaurants. Cash is essential for Devaraja Market, street food, and small temple donations.
Tipping Guide
Tip 10 percent at sit-down restaurants if no service charge has already been added. No tipping at small dhabas or pure-vegetarian thali joints.
โน300-500 per half-day at the palace; โน500-1,000 for a full-day private guide covering Srirangapatna and Chamundi Hill.
โน200-300 per day if a hired car and driver covers the day-trip cluster.
โน50-100 per bag for porters; โน50-100 per day for housekeeping; heritage palace hotels expect โน100-200 per day.
Not expected. Round up the metered fare to the nearest โน10 if the ride was good.
How to Get There
โ๏ธ Airports
Mysore Airport (Mandakalli)(MYQ)
13 km south of city centrePre-paid taxis โน400-600 to the city (25-30 min). Limited domestic routes only - mostly seasonal flights to Hyderabad, Goa, and Chennai operated by IndiGo and Star Air. Service is unreliable, so most international visitors arrive via Bangalore.
โ๏ธ Search flights to MYQKempegowda International Airport (Bangalore)(BLR)
180 km northeast of MysoreThe standard international gateway for Mysore. KSRTC AC Volvo airport buses run direct from BLR to Mysore (5 hours, โน900-1,200) several times daily. Pre-booked taxis cost โน3,500-5,000 (4-4.5 hr via the Mysore-Bangalore Expressway). All major international and Indian carriers serve BLR.
โ๏ธ Search flights to BLR๐ Rail Stations
Mysore Junction (MYS)
The main railway station on the western edge of the city centre, well connected to Bangalore (Vande Bharat Express in 2.5 hr, Shatabdi in 2 hr, โน400-1,500), Chennai (10-12 hr, โน500-2,000), Mumbai (24 hr overnight), and Hampi via Hospet (overnight). Auto-rickshaw to the palace โน80-150.
๐ Bus Terminals
Central Bus Stand (KSRTC)
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Volvo and Airavat AC buses to Bangalore (3 hr, โน350-500), BLR airport (5 hr, โน900-1,200), Coorg / Madikeri (5 hr, โน350-450), Mangalore (8 hr, โน600-900), and Ooty (5-6 hr, โน450-600). Private operators cover the same routes from the City Bus Stand opposite.
Getting Around
Mysore is compact and walkable in the central palace district, with auto-rickshaws and ride-hailing apps filling in for longer hops. The city is small enough that a hired car and driver for a full day is the most efficient way to combine the palace, Chamundi Hill, Srirangapatna, and Brindavan Gardens.
Ola / Uber
โน80-300 for in-city trips; โน2,500-3,500 to BLR airportBoth apps work reliably across Mysore with transparent pricing, including for the Mysore-Bangalore airport run. Auto and mini-cab tiers are usually plentiful within 5 minutes.
Best for: Hassle-free city travel and avoiding fare disputes with auto-rickshaw drivers
Auto-Rickshaw
โน50-200 for most city tripsStandard three-wheelers blanket the city and offer the cheapest in-town option. Insist on the meter or settle on a fare before boarding - the official rate is around โน30 for the first 1.6 km plus โน15 per kilometre thereafter.
Best for: Short hops between the palace, Devaraja Market, and the railway station
Full-day Car & Driver
โน2,000-3,000 for 8 hr / 80 kmMost hotels and travel desks arrange an air-conditioned hatchback or sedan with a driver for an 8-hour, 80-km block - the most efficient way to combine Chamundi Hill, Srirangapatna, and Brindavan Gardens in a single day.
Best for: Day-trip clusters and visitors short on time
KSRTC City Buses
โน10-30Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation runs an extensive city bus network from the central Mysore Bus Stand. Cheap but slow and often crowded, with route information mostly in Kannada.
Best for: Budget travellers comfortable with basic Kannada or Google Maps directions
Walking
FreeThe central palace, Devaraja Market, the silver jubilee clock tower, and Sayyaji Rao Road can all be covered on foot. Sidewalks are uneven but traffic in the old core is slower and more pedestrian-tolerant than Bangalore.
Best for: Exploring the old town between the palace and Devaraja Market
Walkability
The central palace district is one of the more walkable urban cores in southern India - flat, compact, and lined with mature trees. Beyond a 2-km radius from the palace, distances grow and the heat or traffic make walking impractical.
Travel Connections
Bangalore
India's tech capital and Karnataka's state capital - a sprawling 13-million-strong city with the country's strongest pub and craft-beer scene, MG Road shopping, Cubbon Park, the Bangalore Palace, and BLR airport (the international gateway for Mysore).
Coorg (Madikeri)
A misty hill station in the Western Ghats, the centre of Indian coffee production and home to the Kodava tribe with its distinct Indo-Scythian heritage. Coffee estates, Abbey Falls, and the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe are highlights.
Hampi
A UNESCO World Heritage boulder-strewn site that was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1565), once one of the largest cities in the world. Sprawling temple ruins, the Vittala Temple stone chariot, and the Tungabhadra River boulders.
Bandipur National Park
A 874-square-kilometre tiger reserve at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills, part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. One of the better tiger and elephant sighting parks in southern India - safaris run morning and afternoon.
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
The colonial-era hill station at 2,240 metres in the Nilgiris, the queen of Tamil Nadu hill stations. Tea estates, the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Botanical Gardens, and Doddabetta peak (the highest point in the Nilgiris).
Entry Requirements
India requires a visa for almost all nationalities. The Indian e-Visa (eTV - Electronic Travel Authorization) is available online to citizens of approximately 170 countries for tourism, business, and medical purposes. Most visitors to Mysore arrive through Bangalore (BLR), which is an approved e-Visa port of entry.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available: 30-day ($25), 1-year ($40), 5-year ($80). Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. BLR is an approved e-Visa port of entry for arrivals to Mysore. |
| UK Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available at the same rates. Approval typically within 72 hours. |
| EU Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available for all EU nationalities through the official portal. |
| Australian Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available. Passport must be valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages. |
| Nepali & Bhutanese Citizens | Visa-free | Unlimited | Visa-free entry. Nepali citizens may use national ID instead of passport. |
Visa-Free Entry
Visa on Arrival
Tips
- โขApply only through the official indianvisaonline.gov.in portal - dozens of scam third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same e-Visa
- โขApply at least 4-7 days before travel; processing usually completes within 72 hours but Indian public-holiday delays do occur
- โขPrint the e-Visa approval (ETA) and carry it with the passport used to apply - immigration officers will check both
- โขBangalore (BLR) and Chennai (MAA) are the standard e-Visa entry points for visitors heading on to Mysore
- โขThe e-Visa is single, double, or multiple entry depending on the option selected - confirm before booking onward Sri Lanka or Maldives side trips
- โขPassport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival
Shopping
Mysore is one of the best shopping cities in southern India for traditional crafts: pure mulberry silk saris, sandalwood carvings and oil, jasmine garlands, agarbathi (incense), and Mysore-style traditional gold-leaf paintings. Devaraja Market is the colourful old-town anchor; the government Cauvery Emporium is the trustworthy fixed-price option.
Devaraja Market
traditional bazaarThe 19th-century covered market in the heart of the old town, organised into sections for flowers, fruit, kumkum and turmeric powders, sandalwood oils, and incense. Loud, fragrant, and a sensory overload - bring a wide-angle lens.
Known for: Jasmine garlands, kumkum and bindi powders, sandalwood oil, agarbathi, fresh produce
Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium
government emporiumThe state-run craft store on Sayyaji Rao Road, with fixed prices and certified-quality sandalwood carvings, rosewood inlay work, Mysore silk saris, traditional paintings, and Channapatna lacquered toys. The trustworthy alternative to bazaar haggling.
Known for: Sandalwood and rosewood carvings, Mysore silk, Channapatna toys, traditional paintings
KSIC Silk Showroom
silk emporiumThe Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation flagship outlet at Manantavady Road, where the government weaves and sells genuine Mysore silk saris with the iconic gold zari border. Fixed prices, certified pure mulberry silk, and a workshop visit by appointment.
Known for: Genuine Mysore silk saris, dupattas, and dress material
Mysore Sandal Soap factory store (KSDL)
manufacturer outletThe flagship outlet of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, makers of the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap since 1916. Stocks the full range of soaps, perfumes, talcum powder, and pure sandalwood oil at factory prices.
Known for: Mysore Sandal Soap, sandalwood oil, talc, perfumes
๐ Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- โขMysore Sandal Soap and pure East Indian sandalwood oil from KSDL - the city's defining product since 1916
- โขMysore silk saris with the signature gold zari border - genuine pure mulberry silk only at KSIC outlets
- โขSandalwood and rosewood carvings - small Ganesha or Krishna figurines at Cauvery Emporium are reliable
- โขMysore-style traditional paintings - gold-leaf on wood depicting Hindu deities, a UNESCO-recognised craft
- โขChannapatna lacquered wooden toys - bright, non-toxic, traditional toys made in nearby Channapatna town
- โขAgarbathi (incense sticks) - bulk packs of jasmine, sandal, and rose at Devaraja Market for a fraction of export prices
- โขMysore Pak - a melt-in-mouth ghee, sugar, and gram-flour sweet originally invented in the palace kitchens
Language & Phrases
Kannada is the state language of Karnataka and the everyday language of Mysore, written in the Kannada script. Hindi is widely understood as the national link language, and English is fluent in hotels, restaurants, and most shops in the tourist core. Even a single Kannada word like "namaskara" earns immediate goodwill from locals.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Greetings | Namaskara | nah-mass-KAH-rah |
| Thank you | Dhanyavaadagalu | dhan-ya-vaa-da-ga-LOO |
| Yes / No | Howdu / Illa | HOW-doo / ill-AH |
| How much? | Eshtu? | ESH-too |
| Too expensive | Tumba dubaari | TOOM-bah doo-BAA-ree |
| Please reduce | Kammi maadi | KAH-mee MAA-dee |
| Where is...? | ...elli? | EL-lee |
| Water | Neeru | NEE-roo |
| Very good / Beautiful | Bahala chennagide | BAH-lah chen-NAH-gee-day |
| I don't understand | Nanage artha aagalilla | nah-NAH-gay AR-tah AA-gah-LIL-lah |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Kshamisi | k-shah-MEE-see |
| Goodbye | Hogi banni | HO-gee BAH-nee |
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