Walking through Mysore's heritage

As Mysore is being dressed up for the Dasara festivities, with a few programmes being rehearsed, the 'heritage walk' is one additional programme gaining prominence. The large number of heritage buildings dotting the city's tourist map makes it so.

A trial of the 'heritage walk' was conducted on October 9, Mysore Area Heritage Task Force (MAHTF) commissioner T M Vijaya Bhaskar leading a team of hoteliers and officials to the major heritage spots in the heart of the city. Taking them through the memory lane, he narrated to them the historic and architectural significance of the heritage structures.

Starting from the Rangacharlu Memorial Town Hall, built in memory of Dewan Rangacharlu in 1881-83, he lead them on foot to landmarks like the Chamarajendra Circle, which stands majestically in front of the northern entrance of the Palace with a golden canopy.

In addition Gandhi Circle, where stands a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the old 'Krishna Theatre' which heralded era of films in Mysore and now shut, the Dufferin Clock Tower opposite the Devaraja Market, built to mark the visit of British VIP Lord Dufferin, Devaraja Market, which was built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar on the model of European markets and where one can buy the Mysore-brand carriers - Mysore Mallige (jasmine), Nanjangud Rasabale (plantains), Mysore paak (a special variety sweet), and Mysore Veelyadele (betel-leaves) "" ( Sayaji Rao Road, laid in memory of Sayaji Rao Gaekwad to honour the Baroda Maharaja's visit to Mysore, oldest hospitals in the then princely State the Krishnarajendra

Hospital and the Ayurvedic Hospital, and Chamarajendra Technical Institute, which has produced some of the stalwarts in arts and craft works, spreading the fame of Mysore all over the world.

The 'heritage walk' scheduled to be launched on October 16 officially will take tourists on the same route for about 90 minutes from 8 a.m. As the visitors walk past these aesthetically constructed buildings, tourist guides will explain the significance behind the structures, to them. The tourists will also have a taste of the Mysore products like plantains, sweet and betel leaves.

Meanwhile, the famous Metropole Hotel is likely to be thrown open for tourists coming for Dasara.