The Royal Mysore

The Wanderer in me have been waiting for a long time now to write about my experience of visiting Mysore (Mysuru). This was my second trip to the place and coincidentally on the same occasion i.e. Dussera.

Just like the previous trip even this was an unplanned one. A night before Dussera the Wanderer in me thought to visit Mysore with my camera to capture the city palace with the extravaganza of the occasion.

As the travel was totally unplanned, I thought it would be better if I take a train from Bengaluru. Unlike last year the rush this time was way more, maybe because I took an afternoon train this time. Half of the journey was covered standing as I didn’t get a seat. The latter half of the journey was way more comfortable.

The weather in Mysore was amazing, was comfortable enough to walk. A little bit of drizzling with cool breeze. 

As the weather was too pleasant, was not at all in a mood to sit in a closed restaurant have my lunch. So thought to try the roadside eateries.

 

For some it might be unhygienic but I would like to ask them one simple question “How many have died after eating from road side eateries?” It’s one’s own perspective so I think it’s better not to discuss that here. May be that I will write a blog only related to roadside foods I have had in different parts of the country.

After having rice and dosa, I headed towards the nearby Mc Donald’s for some dessert as there no other shop seen nearby.

There was an auto driver whom I approached to take me to the palace but he advised me to walk down till the palace as the roads are too crowded. Taking his advice seriously, I took the road for the palace and after seeing the sea of people I thanked him for his advice.

I bet no one can count the number of heads in this picture :P

I had never seen this many people at one place for such a long time. It reminded me of Kolkata’s Durga Puja.

The moment I reached the palace, I was told by the palace guards and the police that the entrance is closed for today for any tourist. I was disheartened as I really wanted to witness the illumination of the palace that I missed last year. But then another police officer suggested us to go to the next gate as there management might allow the tourist to enter the palace.

Just after listening to it I almost ran to the gate where I found few people standing near the barricades. I decided to stand there till the palace gets lit up and if I’m lucky I would also get a chance to enter the palace.

The police kept on saying that this year unlike last many years, people won’t be allowed to enter the palace as results in chaos but still many people like me stood there and kept waiting.

Finally the clock showed 7:00 pm, the time when the lights of the palace is turned on.

One thing that it was in my mind for a very long time was to shoot a video where the palace gets lits up. And coincidently I was able to capture it when I just started shooting the video right at 7:00:31 in the evening. The short video can be seen here.

Then after a couple of minutes the gates were open and the wait was finally over. Everyone was allowed to enter the palace and then only I understood what chaos the police and the management were talking about. Hundreds of people trying to enter the palace from a gate where only 1/2 can enter at a time. It looked like all are running for their lives and unfortunately even I was one of them.

The view of the palace was amazing, almost 10,00,000 bulbs lighting up a palace, something that you don’t see every day.

The following pictures are few of those of the palace which was clicked on my visit.

After the visit, returning to Bangalore was also an adventurous event.

I had in mind to catch a train at 8:30 pm because right after that the next train was at 10:30 pm. Hired an auto near the palace and asked him to rush to the station. To my surprise I made it on time for the 8:30 pm train but to my shock it was full over the maximum capacity. When I asked a police officer regarding any train prior to 10:30 pm, he asked to me board this train and see if I can get any place to seat. Third advice of the day to me.

After thinking for some time, I finally decided to board the train and manage till Bangalore. But then I noticed there was no seats available and also there was no space to stand in the coaches. But I had to travel in that train itself as it had already left the station.

So, the entire journey was spent by sitting at the door (yes, the door was closed).

An hectic day came to an end when I finally reached the Bengaluru Station and finally I reached home at around 12:30 am.

Here i'm, A Solo Wanderer signing off.

Next, i will be sharing about my trip to Goa, a trip where i met another blogger The Solo Rider.

Till then keep exploring :)

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