All About Mysore

	Mysore is a one in a million city in Karnataka, India, known for its incredible history, beautiful palaces, and colorful festivals. The city has lots of exquisite gardens and historical buildings. Some things this extravagant city contains is the Mysore palace, Chamundi Hill, and Mysore Zoo. Read on to discover more of this city's rich culture!
One of the main attractions in Mysore are all the majestic palaces. Most of the palaces have been converted into hotels, libraries,and universities etc. Now for the star of the show, The Mysore palace also known as Amba Vilas palace. It was built in 1574 and the Wadiyar kings called this place home. But did you know that the original palace was actually burned down in 1896! But the king and king's mother brought upon the one and only architect Henry Irwin! They made him build the whole palace over again, and it was finally done in 1912. One reason it’s so famous is because of the marvelous architecture and its beautiful interiors. During Dasara, one of India’s many rich festivals, the palace is lit up and you can experience this magical castle in full force. The Mysore Palace is a truly enchanting place.  
Now, let’s dive into the bustling streets of Mysore. In the heart of the city is Krishna Rajendra Circle, also known as KR Circle. It is named after Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, one of the Wadiyar dynasty (See Wadiyar dynasty). Its main feature is a statue of the beloved Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, after whom KR Circle is named. It is a popular gathering place during festivals like Dasara and Deepavali, and recently it was painted with radium infused paint to make it glow. KR Circle is one of the busiest places in Mysore. It’s always buzzing with sweet shops, sandalwood stalls, and dozens of street vendors adding to the active atmosphere. Even though it’s bustling with people, KR Circle is one of the landmarks in Mysore that you can’t miss.
Speaking of landmarks, the Mysore Zoo is another one of the landmarks you can’t miss. Another name for it is the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens. It is one of the oldest zoos in India! It has many animals, from crocodiles to zebras. This is a zoo for all ages, no matter how old you are, you will definitely have fun at the Mysore Zoo.
The Wadiyar dynasty was founded by Yaduraya Wadiyar in 1399, who came to rule Mysore and was appointed by Harihara II. “Wadiyar” means “lord” in Kannada, which makes sense, since they ruled Mysore until 1950, when Mysore became part of the Indian Republic. This dynasty belonged to the Arasu Wadiyar community, known for its noble background. The Wadiyar dynasty initially ruled as vassals of the Vijayanagara Empire until its fall in 1565, where it became independent under Raja Wadiyar I, who moved the capital to Srirangapatna for strategic defense. Famous rulers like Kanthirava Narasaraja I and Chikka Devaraja expanded the kingdom and the Wadiyar’s rule and also improved administration. The current head of the family is Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, adopted into the family in 2015. Even though the monarchy is no longer established, the Wadiyars are still treated with respect.
Now have you heard about the majestic Chamundi Hill? Well, in this segment that's what we’ll talk about. Located in the outskirts  of the city, Chamundi Hill houses no other than the beautiful Chamundeshwari temple. If you climb the 1,000 steps to the temple you have some real skill, but if you take a car, you won’t miss out on the breathtaking view! From the top you’ll be able to see the whole city of Mysore, and don’t forget about the huge statue of Nandi the bull. 
Now that you know all the beautiful places in Mysore, I hope you’ll want to go there. It’s a beautiful place to go if you're visiting India. I hope that you learned about Mysore.