#4 Gawp at artefacts and jewellery of various tribal groups in the Government Museum
Occupying a two-storey building that was once home to the Duke of Wellington, the Government Museum is devoted to anthropology on the ground floor, with photos, artefacts and jewellery of various tribal groups, mainly from the Himalaya and northeastern India. Upstairs there is a collection of statues and a modest selection of modern art. The grounds are strewn with large terracotta sculptures.
#5 Visit one of the oldest zoos in India
Officially named Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru Zoo is one of the oldest and best in India. Established as far back as 1882, it was opened to the public in 1902 and has grown to encompass 245 beautifully landscaped acres, with spacious compounds for most of the animals that live here.
The zoo boasts all the usual big mammals, including leopards and tigers, and there are also many species of bird and reptile to be admired, though some of their cages do not make viewing the animals easy.
#6 Take in the views from Chamundi Hill Temple
Around 12km southeast of the city, Chamundi Hill Temple is topped with a temple to the chosen deity of the Mysore rajas – the goddess Chamundi, or Durga, who slew the demon buffalo Mahishasura.
It’s a pleasant, easy bus trip to the top; the walk down takes about thirty minutes. Take drinking water, especially in the middle of the day – the walk isn’t very demanding, but by the end of it, after more than a thousand steps, your legs are likely to be a bit wobbly.
Inside the twelfth-century temple, which is open to non-Hindus, is a solid gold Chamundi figure. Outside, in the courtyard, stands a fearsome, if gaily coloured, statue of Mahishasura.
#7 Try some yoga
Despite the passing in 2009 of its founder, Sri Pattabhi Jois, the world-renowned Ashtanga Yoga Institute, 3.5km northwest of town in Gokulam, is still a revered pilgrimage destination for devotees.
The surrounding neighbourhood has in recent years turned into a bustling expat haven, filled with cafés, guesthouses, restaurants and internet cafés. The institute doesn’t offer drop-in classes; students must register for a minimum of one month, and book at least two months in advance.
There are several other centres clustered around Gokulam, including Bharath Shetty’s popular IndeaYoga which offers early morning courses of between two and eight weeks’ duration, and Yoga Bharata, who welcome drop-ins and offer courses of one to four weeks Some 3 km south of town, Mysore Mandala Yogashala, is a self contained retreat, offering excellent instruction, an organic café, well-tended garden, cultural events and drop-in classes.
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