Magnificent Mysore

From the realm of the Hoysala, we were now traveling to the realm of the Wodeyar. As we entered Mysore, helpful people on scooter rode along us (repeatedly), and gave us directions to the Palace. Clearly a MH number plate car had come to Mysore for only one reason! What hospitality!

The Sound & Light Show

We made the Sound & Light Show at Mysore just 5 mins before it started. Mainly because the ticket counter only took cash - no UPI, no PhonePe, no credit card. We really felt transported to another era :)

The narrator shared many tidbits we had not read:

• The Wodeyar dynasty was started by a Yadav prince who married a local chieftains daughter. (Once again the story of Yadavs displaced from Dwarka came to the fore).

• The dynasty has endured since 1600s.

• The warrior blood of the original kings had cooled, and later kings turned to love of arts and literature, and in the end lost the kingdom to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.

• The British re-installed the Wodeyar dynasty after defeating Tipu.

• The original wooden palace was burned down during a marriage - the lamps set the curtains on fire. The current palace was built by the British for the Kings of Mysore in late 1800's.

• The patronage of art, science and engineering continued till independence. They built modern India's first dams, first institutes of engineering and science.

• They were instrumental in helping other royal families sign the accession to India.

And once the narration was off, we wondered what everyone was waiting for in the pitch darkness. Why wasn't everyone leaving? Till in one instant, all the bulbs were lit, and the palace glowed magnificently in the night. (Apparently, it costs 1 lac to light the palace for 15 mins).

Breakfast @ Hotel Mahesh Prasad

We are at Hotel Mahesh Prasad bright and early, and still we need to wait in a line for a table. We are so clearly out of place, that 2 gentlemen roll up their papers and vacate their seats for us. They say they are done, but were just sitting around. Another example of just how helpful Mysore is to tourists.

The soft idli and crisp vada is outstanding, the dosa superb, and filter coffee made just right. Much like the Madras Cafe in Mumbai, very unassuming place that delivers exceptional food.

Vikrams "best food in the world" counter: 40

Back to the Palace

The palace tour was crowded. In the last week, we had been in a different world, even the temples were sparsely populated. The previous evening, had been dark, we didnt feel the crowd. The reality of city life hit us like a ton of bricks. I think it dawned on all of us, that our holiday was coming to an end.

The Mysore Palace was surreal. Our first insight into the splendour in which Indian royalty stayed, even under the thumb of the British Raj. This palace was built after the British were in charge, not before. The throne rooms for ministers, the grand sabha area from where we could see the parade grounds, were all unmatched since Vijaynagar. The most famous artists of the time, adorned the walls. The ceilings were painted like the Sistine Chapel. The best artists/architects/engineers in India and the world were deployed to build it. The grandeur was breath taking. A beautiful building with a sad history.

The royal family still lives in this palace, part of it has been converted into a museum for public visitors. My children kept asking the guide how the family lived, how they went to the market, how they went about their everyday lives. It felt modern, but still something from another age.

Sir Mokshagundam Vishveshwaraya

Another great man that we barely know.

His birthday, 15 September, is celebrated as Engineers Day in India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

He was the architect of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mysore. He was the founder of the Mysore soap factory, the Mysore Iron & steel works (Bhadravathi), Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic Institute, The Bangalore Agricultural University, and the State Bank of Mysore.

Our history books have taught us about the kings, and the politicians. Maybe we can start learning about our scientists, engineers - the men and women who also participated in building modern India.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Near the Vrindavan gardens, we saw the signs for a bird sanctuary. It was a toss up, and we voted in favour of fauna over flora.

The reserve is unique. You sit in a row boat, and go upto islands filled with birds. Rarely sight these birds so close. And ofcourse, the waters are infested with crocodiles. The waters of the lake, the dense vegetation, the birds in the trees, was nice and calming.

The end...

After this welcome break, we get onto the newly built expressway to Bengaluru. The conversation shifted to school work, classes, flights etc. Our vacation is at an end. It has left us energized and I am planning the next few road trips secretly ;)