Links for first time India Travellers

• indiamike.com an independent website about travel to and in India
• thorntree.lonleyplanet.com travellers area.
• ezbord.com Mysore Ashtanga Board.

There are many sites / boards dealing with Ashtanga and Mysore. Please note that most web info your mileage may vary.

Some Information about Mysore

• Climate - very comfortable - due to altitude and geography the weather is most pleasant all year round Monsoon is not much wetter than Scotland tho the rain is warmer. See BBC weather for current 5 day forecast.
• Language - Kannada - however english or rather indlish ( indian english ) is widley spolken if not always understood. English speakers usually have no problem.
• Money - Indian Rupee - most currencies may be exchanged (slowly at banks and quickly at various moneychangers). Western Union has several agents in the city if you need it sent and the ATM network of the HDFC ( Saraswati Puram ) & ICIC ( Devaraji Urs Rd) banks support cash withdraws from international cards, ATM machines are now common.
• GSM Coverage - OK - your mobile will work albeit expensively through the airtel, orange and spice networks.
• Internet - access available - with many cyber cafes - however connections may be SLOW - one of the best is the Dishnet which has a large air conditioned internet suite at their point of presence in Saraswati Puram.
• Photography - Mysore and its environs provide ample subjects for photography - with dawn and dusk providing a beautifull golden light which brings out the best in the oft decayed traditional architecture - morning being best before the throngs of local kids are about to see your camera. Most common film types (except chromogenic) and accessories are avaliable - Glamour Studios ( KT Street ) has the best stock and can be very helpfull.
• Shopping - while the range of goods is somewhat limited and quality often dubious - some bargins exist notably in silk or sandalwood items as well as in Indian published books and CDs.
• Driving - Motorcycles or sooters are available for hire and present the easiest way to get around. Niru [ the magic dwarf in the grotto beneath Iyengar bakery ] of Nirucoms ( Ramavillas Rd ) has the largest fleet and is friendly and helpfull. Strictly speaking an international driving permit is a legal requirement; failure to present such is likley to result in on the spot fine of around Rs 800. It should also be noted that in India driving is largely on the left hand side, right of way tends to go by size trucks and buses having priority, the circles at city road intersections should not be confused with roundabouts. One is best advised to look in all directions, check the lights, officer if any and traffic at junctions. Hand siginals and frequent use of horn are advised as scant attention is paid to indicator lights. That being said ( if you can negotiate the traffic, wandering cows, speed breakers and potholes) driving here is part of the true india experience.

Mysore Locaton & Laxmipuram Accommodation

Mysore is located in the south of the south Indian state of Karnataka. It is only a short ( 3 hour ) train, bus, or taxi journey from the international airport at the state capital of Bangalore.

Mysore may be reached directly from the international airport Bangalore 3 hours or via Mumbi ( Bombay ) 29 hours train or Chennai ( Madras)12 hours. There are regular internal filghts to Bangalore from Deli, Panagi ( Goa ), Kovalam, Mumbi and Chennai.

The Mysore Mandala ( map 6 ) is located in the heart of Laxmipuram a suburb about 20 minutes walk from the city center. The original Ashtanga Nialam ( home school ) of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (map 3) is about five minutes walk away from our center.

Laxmipuram has a long tradition of accommodating yoga western yoga students and hence it is easy to rent rooms and flats. US $ 100 / month will get you clean decent flat and is about the median price. There is a wide choice in accomodation ranging from the gentele decay of ageing traditional mansions to brand new modern appartments. For those who desire more convenience hotels in Mysore range from the spartan Kaveri Lodge long a popular doritory for visiting budget yoga students to the upmarket Green Hotel a former palace now managed with an ecological leaning not to mention the Southern Star a modern high rise with swimming pool for the jet set.