Highlights of Mysore ( Temple Tour + Market Tour )

Overview

This tour is a superb experience of two different aspects of Mysore life. The spiritual and the temporal. You will explore the beautiful hilltop environs of the Chamunda Devi Temple, dedicated to Sri Chamundeeswari, another avatar of the goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Chamundi Devi is the tutelary deity of Mysore city and also the erstwhile Mysore royals – the Wodeyars. Another site of importance in these hills is the Mahabaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. From the spiritual heights of the  sacred hill you travel to the plains to a temporal world of one of the city's most iconic marketplace – the 125-year-old world you will descend to the 125-year-old Devaraja market, splendid hub of history, heritage, commerce and culture

Why you will love it

• Exploring two cultural aspects of Mysore — the spiritual and the temporal
• Visiting  Lord Siva’s Temple on a hilltop
• Exploring the wonderfully atmospheric 125-year-old Devaraja market

What you will experience

We will drive up the windy roads of the famous Chamundi Hills to visit a 10th-century temple dedicated to the greatest of the Indian gods, Lord Shiva. Understand the meaning of the rituals being performed with the temple bells ringing in the background. There are 1000 steps from the foothills to reach the temple on top; you will use apart of these steps going down to the Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle. It is massive bull carved out of a monolithic stone; whisper your wishes into its ears; we’ll tell you why you need to do that! Take a walk to Devi Kere, the holy water body on top of the Chamundi Hills. Returning to the city we will head for the125-year-old Devaraja market, for an experience of commerce and culture. There are 700 stalls, sell all manner of produce and goods. The hustle and bustle of the crowds and vendors all add to the vibrant scene. We will try a very unique type of banana that is only grown in Mysore, which has earned it the GI tag. We then stop at a shop for a tasting of Mysore's sweetmeat, Mysore Pak. This shop is run by a fourth-generation family member of the chef who created in the royal kitchen of the Wodeyars.