''Mysore''' is the headquarters of the Mysore district and lies about 146 km southwest of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. The city is spread across an area of 128.42 sq km and is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills. 770 meters above sea level, this imperial city is the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also known as “the city of palaces”, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant. Mysore is a majestic mysterious and mesmerizing city. It has inherited all Indian traditions with modernity. Its phenomenal character is best expressed by its very lasting useful spirits, with dignified ambience. Mysore is the cultural capital of Karnataka, thanks to the contributions of the city’s pioneers in literature, art, architecture, sculpture, music, drama, dance and folk arts.
Established in 1916, Manasa Gangothri - Mysore University is the only University in Karnataka to get A+Grade NAAC; providing graduation and post graduation in many disciplines. About 200 colleges affiliated, it caters to the districts of Mysore, Hassan, Mandya and Chamarajnagar, for a student population around 75,000. Mysore boasts of six engineering colleges, 2 medical colleges, 2 management colleges apart from All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Central Food Technology Research Institute, Regional College of Education.
Mysore is famous for the festivities that take place during the Mysore Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. Mysore also lends its name to the Mysore mallige, the Mysore painting/Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, the Mysore Peta (a traditional silk turban) and the garment called the Mysore silk. In an exercise carried out by the Ministry of Urban Development (India)/Urban Development Ministry under the national urban sanitation policy, Mysore was rated the second cleanest city in India in 2010 and the cleanest in Karnataka.
Now let us see where the royal city Mysore, which is known for its glorious Dussera festival even beyond India, stands in this context. Besides being the second largest city in Karnataka, Mysore boasts a pleasant weather around the year, which makes it one of the most sought after cities in India, when it comes to setting up IT/BPO offices or residential places. According to an estimate, about 50,000 software engineers will settle down in Mysore in the next few years.
In addition to that, the city is well connected by road, rail and air and just 140 km away from Bangalore. The city is also in the midst of several tourists spots all around. All these factors have made the city a hot choice in commercial real estate for corporate giants.
The important places to visit are Maharaja’s Palace, Jaganmohan Palace (Art Gallery), Zoo, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Government Silk Factory, Brindavan Gardens, Chamundi Hills, Rail Museum, Folklore Museum, St.Philomena’s Church, Karanji Lake, Crawford Hall, Oriental Research Institute etc.