Mysore The Famous City

Mysore the famous city in the state of Karnataka has the great historical importance. Mysore is said to have a glorious past as till the year 1947, Mysore remained the capital of Kingdom of Mysore which was under the rule of the Wodeyar dynasty, it was only during the period of 40-years in the 18th century there was the rule of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan. The Wodeyars are said to have made significant contributions in the cultural growth of the city, due to which Mysore came to be known as Cultural capital of Karnataka.

As Mysore is known to be the cultural capital of Karnataka, therefore it attracts large number of tourists during the Dasara festival. This festival was introduced in the year 1610 by Raja Wodeyar I. The festival continues for ten long days and people participate into it with complete enthusiasm. On the tenth day of this festival Vijayadashami is celebrated and processions are taken out in the streets of the city. Mysore city is also famous for numerous things its paintings and silk sarees are known all around the country.

Mysore city is located between the two rivers Kabini and Kaveri; these rivers are the source of drinking water for the residents of the city. The city also has well planned underground drainage system which was built in the year 1904. The complete sewage from the city is drained into 4 valleys; Belavatha, Malalavadi, Kesare and Dalavai. The Hindu mythology says that Mysore city was initially known as Mahishru and was under the ruled of a demon, Mahishasura. The Goddess Chamundeshwari killed this demon and thus her temple is located on the top of the Chamundi Hills.

The area where Mysore is situated at present was known as Puragere till the 15th century. Till the year 1610 Mysore had been the main centre of the Wodeyar administration. Later Raja Wodeyar ousted Srirangapatna the governor of Vijayanagara and made this place his capital. The kingdom of Mysore received its independence in the year 1565 with the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire. It later became a sovereign state after achieving independence.

It was in the year 2005 that the state Government of Karnataka made announcement that they would like to change the English name Mysore of the city to Mysuru. This was later approved by the Government of India but is not yet implemented as certain important formalities to which are required to change the name are not yet completed.