India Travel Stories from others - Hema Ramprasad on "Mysore and Yoga"

Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka in South India is well known for its beautiful palace. Not many know that Mysore is also famous for its Yoga teachers and Yoga tradition. The famous Yoga Guru Sri B K S Iyengar is from Mysore. The city has a grand old tradition of imparting Yoga to discerning students.

We thought of sharing this excellent article by Ms Hema Ramprasad which is published in the latest issue of Indian publication of National Geographic Traveller. She has given lot of details which is very helpful for anyone looking for a "Yoga holiday" in Mysore. This is the best season to be in Mysore when the rains have come to an end and there is a nip in the air. The city still retains its laid back charm which is apt for a yoga holiday!

Read all about "Mysore and Yoga" by clicking this link. 

Head and Shoulders - A Journey through Mysore's Yoga subculture

For other related posts on Mysore, please click this link

Exploring Mysore

Watching a wrestling match in Mysore Dasara!

It is Dasara time. Mysore is all glitter for the next one week. The royal city is at its best during this time. The Palace is gloriously lit. There is a festive atmosphere all around. The city is decked up. If you don't mind the crowd, this is the best time to be in Mysore.

There are many things happening in the city during this week. The classical music concerts in the palace, the dasara exhibition and stage performances, sports meet, celebrations inside the palace and the grand finale on Vijaya dashami day when Goddess Chamundeshwari is taken in procession through the streets of Mysore.

One thing that has caught the fancy of people of late is the Dasara Wrestling competition. Started by Wodeyars during their reign of Mysore, it is one of the biggest championships of Indian-style wrestling (“Nada Kushti”) in the country, it attracts wrestlers from the entire State. Wrestlers from other States also come here to participate. Every year it evokes tremendous response from spectators to watch muscle-flexing wrestlers from across the State fight for supremacy in traditional bouts. On an average, 26 traditional bouts will take place every day and 400 wrestlers compete for the coveted prize.

Not many visitors make a trip to Devaraj Urs stadium where the wrestling bouts happen. But it is worth every second to feel the intense atmosphere of local community and be part of them.

The traditional wrestling in Mysore is a dying art. There are very few passionate wrestlers trying to keep tradition alive. One can visit the "Garadi" or "Akhada" (wrestling school) in the city. Royal Mysore Walks organise visits to these places. You can look at this link in this blog for more details.

Heritage Walks in Mysore

This time when you are in Mysore don't miss watching a bout on muddy floors of Devaraj Urs stadium. We found two interesting photo feature on Mysore Wrestlers by Nitin Vishwas and Raghuram Ashok. Here is the link for it.

Wrestlers of Mysore by Nitin Vishwas

Muscle Men of Mysore by Raghuram Ashok

Photo courtesy - Muralidharan Alagar. You can visit his photostream for some brilliant pictures and his photography blog here.

Light and Life 

Poetry for Eyes - My journey in Arts and Photography

Heritage Walks in Mysore

I always wondered as to why there were no walking tours in a Heritage city like Mysore in South India. There is so much to see in Mysore if you move away from the regular tourist spots. 

We have done walking tours in Old City of Ahmedabad and Pondicherry. Of course our own Bangalore Walking tour by Arun Pai.

I came across this walking tour in Mysore by a bunch of youngsters who love Mysore and its heritage. They are doing a great job in show casing the city to discerning visitors. They also cover Sri Rangapatna. Apart from Walking tours, they also arrange Jeep trail and Bicycle tour as well.

Gateway to Mysore Palace (Photo Courtesy - Nathan Winder)

Central Food Research and Training Institute - Another Heritage building

Here is the link to their website for more details..

Royal Mysore Walks

So, next time when you visit Mysore don't miss out joining one of these tours. 

You will be richer with experience.