We spent the day wandering around Mysore visiting a couple of temples and the Mysore Palace.  One of the biggest festivals of the year, Dasara, is occuring tomorrow so the city and its sites were packed but the locals were busy adorning their vehicles with flowers and sparkle to look good for the Goddess’ celebration.

We started the morning at Chennakesava Temple, a Hindu temple that is no longer used for worship as the idols were defaced by Muslims invaders in 1258.  The temple is carved from soapstone that hardens in the sun.

A walk around the site of the Goddess Chamundeswari Temple was followed by a visit to the Nandi Temple, another example of a large monolithic carving of a bull.

The day was topped off with a visit to the Mysore Palace where is seemed that all of India was trying to see that day.

Chennakasava Temple

Chennakesava Temple

Chennakasava Temple

Chennakesava Temple

Chennakasava Temple

Chennakesava Temple

Chennakasava Temple Idol

Chennakesava Temple

Sri Chatamundeswari Temple

Creating Religious Paintings at Chatamundi

Religious paintings and offerings

Don’t Cry for Me, Sri Chanmundeswari

Machete and coconut

Treats to enjoy while in the temple line-up

Wandering through the crowd at Chamundeswari

Snacking at Chatamundi

Monkey at Goddess Temple

Ready for the goddess…

Proudly decorating truck

Looking good for the goddess

Munching on the decorations for the Goddess’ Festival.

Carved Bull

Blessing at the Nandi Temple

Lost in thought, waiting to bestow the next blessing at the Bull Temple

Indian Friendliness

Sites from the bus

Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace: The Sea of Humanity

Mysore Palace, Entrance Hall

Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

Looking Pensive at the Mysore Palace