Mysore is a very green city with lots of lush trees throughout the city.
Some yellow saffron remains from a recent festival.
Laundry dries on the median.
I visited this little one-room pre-school that is open to the road. The wife of my rickshaw wallah is a teacher in one of these but on the other side of the city. 
In government schools, the children salute their greeting.
The cook tried to get this little guy to take a nap, but he refused to lie down! Far too exciting a time when the first foreigner to ever visit is here! Must . . . . .not. . . . . .sleep. . . . .
Some of the school decor which the cook could not read, she was illiterate. She was happy to have me visit though, because the teacher went away to a wedding for three days and left her in charge! My rickshaw wallah provided interpretation here, the only known language by these students and cook was Kannada, a regional language with its own system of writing.
We ended-up staying a long time when a French couple got a flat tire nearby and my rickshaw wallah helped them.
Chamundi Hill overlooks the city of Mysore and has some important Hindu sites.
The temple of Chamon-deshwari is the most prominent feature of Chamundi Hill.
This fella knew it was time for his dinner, at one of the snack shacks near the temple in Chamundi Hill.
Views from the top.
Nandi is carved from one piece of stone and is the carrier of Shiva. Located at another site on Chamundi Hill.
On a quiet country road I learned to drive an auto rickshaw. (Not well)
Gorgeous Mysore Palace was only built in 1912 (replacing one lost to fire) and lived in for just a few decades.
When lit, 97,000 lights make a fairy tale setting. When I was here, it was lit for one hour on Sunday evenings.
A chai wallah on the left and my rickshaw wallah on the right. We stopped for some hot, milky, sweetened Masala tea every few hours. They mostly come in 2 and 4 ounce servings. Large thimbles.
Whenever I try to accept being choreographed, I feel like a dancing cow. However, I thought I was just being silly, I didn’t realize there are actually dancing cows. They don’t really dance though, more like sway to the music.
This is Sai Baba plastered all over this temple. He died in 2011 but he accomplished some great works. Numerous free hospitals, orphanages, and water projects are funded by his followers. He preached a very inclusive doctrine accepting all religions. He had centers in 114 countries at the time if his death.
An aqueduct. Old school.
The ancient Island Fort town of Srirangapatna lies fifteen kilometers outside Mysore. Here I pause on an outer wall, first constructed in 1454. 
My rickshaw awaits as I wander around the ancient walls.
Plastic. It is everywhere. I’ve not shown it for a bit, but I could have.
The next photos from this temple on the river island Srirangapatna. Originally constructed in 894 and expanded in 1454 when it became contained within the Fort.
Carts outside the temple.
This cart is pulled by people. I could barely lift the end of the long pulling-chain.
Showing the size of the metal wheel.
This a water prison within the fort. It was carved into the ground alongside the river. Using a mechanical device, they allowed water in to neck level. All the time. You can see the protrusions from the wall to which prisoners were chained. British soldiers were imprisoned here when caught during their attempted raids. I wrote more about this, they story will be in my book! (In case you were wondering, this prison is no longer in operation.)
This mausoleum called Gunbaz, built by Tippu for his father. He and his mother are also inside.
Looking up, back in Mysore.
I have written full stories about my very pleasant time in Mysore, that will be included in my book of travel adventures. Most of the photos on this blog serve to illustrate stories I have written, here you find just a sample story from nearly each place I visit.
If you have enjoyed these photos, please share my blog with your friends! Please feel free to use the comment button and click to share on Facebook or Twitter. Thank you for visiting my blog! Cheers! Darren
Filed under: India, Mysore
