Happy Diwali!! - and our trip to Mysore

Happy Diwali everyone.  Today Tracy and I ventured off to Mysore....by train.....and no, we didn't get taken for a ride, contrary to what many assumed would happen.  Mysore is a very busy little city about 2 hours south of Bangalore by train.  We rode first class which was actually very nice.  They provided us a small snack, bottled water, comfortable seats (we didn't have to hang on the outside of the train) and the whole cost was only $12 per person.

Bangalore railway station

When we got to town, instead of riding an auto rickshaw, we decided to walk since it was only about 2km to our hotel. (a little over a mile)  It was incredibly hot, very humid, and the streets were extremely busy.  All in all, it was a lot of fun to walk through many of the markets in Mysore.  Unfortunately, the pictures don't really capture the chaotic atmosphere.

Bustling streets of Mysore

After we reached our hotel, we set off for Mysore palace.  This place was huge and extremely elaborate.  The attention to detail in the carvings, architecture.....it's truly astounding.  Unfortunately, photography is not permitted inside the palace so you'll have to come out here and visit if you want to see what is inside.  Apparently the prince still resides in this palace from time to time.

South gate of Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

One of the temples surrounding the palace

One of the gardens surround Mysore Palace

Every Sunday, the Palace lights up at night from 7 to 8pm.  Since it is Friday and this is Diwali, they make an exception to this rule and light up the palace as well.  We decided not to stick around to see the palace all lit up.  Instead we took a cab out to Brindavan Gardens which have their own lit up fountains which react to music.  The show was really cool until it started to rain, and when it rains, it pours.  We got completely drenched!  It came down in buckets.  Stairways quickly became waterfalls and sidewalks turned into lakes.  It took us about 20 minutes just to walk back through the gardens to get our cab, and then it was another 30 min. back to the hotel.  All in all, a really fun experience.  Next time we won't forget our umbrella.

Some of the fountains at Brindavan Gardens

The next day we walked around the city a bit more, visited the art gallery and took the train back home.  A really fun trip and looking forward to taking more.

Mysore art gallery

A typical occurrence - cows in the road

A small hut and palm trees seen from the train

I've got a couple videos showing what the countryside looks like by train.  I apologize in advance for the bad quality.  I may upload HD footage to Vimeo or Youtube at some point.  For now, hope you enjoy!