Solo trip to Mysuru, India
38F Indian here. Past 2 years were a bit heavy on me personally. A lot happened and I couldn't take a break. I wanted to get out but I was stuck in a state of inertia and couldn't break that mental shell. I wanted a bit of my alone time but I was too hesitant to book tickets. Then I was told I will have to travel to Bengaluru for work. I had been to Bengaluru several times and I like the place though it was much more beautiful when I was a child. I felt I could use this work trip as an opportunity to break my inertia.
Mysuru is just 2.5 hours from Bengaluru and Somanathapura is very close to Mysuru. Somanathapura had been on my mind for a long time. I had heard about the famous 750-year-old Shri Chennakeshava Swamy temple and its incredibly intricate sculptures. Mysore Palace was on my mind as well. So I decided to do a quick 3-day trip to Mysuru. I also like Karnataka food and filter coffee, so that was an added incentive
After some search, I booked my accommodation at Regenta Central Herald By Royal Orchid Hotels. It is centrally located and had good reviews. After finishing my work in Bengaluru, I took a non-stop bus to Mysuru and the moment I entered Mysuru, I realised it had been a great decision to go on this trip despite all my hesitation. The pleasant weather and greenery reminded me of the beautiful Bengaluru that has been lost now.
Regenta turned out to be a great choice. The security person, Ravi, suggested a good autorickshaw driver, Arshad. Arshad also turned out to be a great guide and explained a lot of details that I would have missed.
I didn't want to exhaust myself trying to see a lot of places. My primary purpose was to explore and experience the place, not to "see" as many sights as possible. This was my rough plan after discussing it with Arshad:
Day 1 - Srirangapatanam (Nimishamba and Sriranganatha Swamy temples) in the morning and Chamundeshwari temple on a hilltop in Mysuru at night. The night view of Mysuru from hilltop is very beautiful.
Day 2 - Somanathapura and Mysore Palace - I hired Arshad's auto till here. Evening I went on my own to Kukkarahalli Lake.
Day 3 - Day of exploring. I went to Sand sculpture museum, purchased some famous Mysore silk clothes, tried more local food/coffee, slept well, and watched sun setting beautifully behind a temple gopuram from my room.
I skipped Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary because it wasn't a good time to see birds, and therefore skipped Brindavan Gardens as well since it is in the same direction. I will explore both during my next trip to Mysuru in winter.
My plan was not packed so I had a lot of time for myself. I walked around a lot, even at night. I particularly liked a main road in Gokulam area near Sapa cafe. I could easily book auto from anywhere on Rapido. All auto drivers turned out to be friendly and helpful. Each of them suggested places to eat and have coffee.
Shri Chennakeshava Swamy Temple at Somanathapura turned out to be highlight of the trip. I knew the sculptures were very intricate. I had seen pictures of them before, but when I saw them in person, I was completely blown away. People can't create such beautiful intricate work even in gold today, yet those ancient craftsmen created such astonishingly detailed work in stone! I hired a government-authorised guide once I purchased the entry ticket. He told a lot of details and explained a lot of things. This helped me understand and know the place better. Hiring a guide is highly recommended when visiting this temple. Since the main idols in this temple were vandalized, prayers are not performed here.
Kukkarahalli Lake turned out to be my second-favourite place, surprisingly. There is some peaceful, almost meditative vibe there. When I went, the sun was setting behind clouds so it wasn't spectacular but I can imagine witnessing dramatic sunsets and sunrises on some days here. I met an old man there and during our conversation he suggested that I try the food at CCBC cafe. He even asked his son to confirm the name.
Mysore Palace was surprisingly underwhelming. That day, I had visited Somanathapura in the morning and went to the palace after lunch. I guess after seeing such beautiful sculptures in the morning, the palace paled in comparison.
Food-wise, it was a mixed experience. The famous Mylari dosa had too much ghee for me. The ragi dosa also had a lot of ghee, so I eventually stopped trying dosas. Coffee was a bit underwhelming too, despite trying it at several places. Maybe Mysuru's filter coffee is just not my cup of coffee. I loved the filter coffee I had in Coorg and Bengaluru. Food at MTR turned out to be good. Ghee was served separately, so I could add as much as I wanted. Khara Bhath and Kashaya were really good at CCBC Cafe. Plus, I loved homely communal vibe at CCBC cafe.
I visited during the Vinayakachavithi festival. So there was a lot of light decoration in Mysuru, which added a festive vibe.
On the whole, I absolutely enjoyed my trip. I am glad my husband and close friend encouraged me to go. This helped me break my inertia and gave me the much-needed confidence to travel on my own again.
And I am now planning another solo trip :)
Pictures 1 - 10 : Shri Chennakeshava Swamy Temple at Somanathapura
11 : Sriranganatha swamy temple at Srirangapatnam
12 : Chamundeshwari temple
13 : Mahishasura statue outside the Chamundeshwari temple
14 : Night view of Mysuru from road leading to Chamundeshwari temple
15 - 17 : Mysore Palace
18 : Kukkarahalli lake
19 : Statue of Vinayaka during the Vinayakachavithi festival
20 : Sun setting behind a gopuram. View from my room.
