Silk route to Mysore
The fascinating story of Mysore Silk
Mysore Silk Story is a tour of Mysore from Bangalore with a guide which takes us back to 1792 when the story of Mysore Silk commences with setting up of silk worm breeding stations by Tipu Sultan. In 1912 Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV sets up the Mysore Silk Weaving factory to kick start the industrial production of Silk. We will visit Asia’s largest silk cocoon auction market, the Silk weaving factory, the Mysore Palace and an ancient bazaar.
Mysore Silk story
The year was 1780 when Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, received Silk as a gift from an ambassador of the Qing dynasty in China. Fascinated by this magical fabric, Tipu sent emissaries to Bengal and China to find out more and eventually sets up 22 Silk Breeding stations which kick off the Mysore Silk revolution. The next fillip for Mysore Silk came in 1912 when Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV bought 32 power looms from Switzerland and set up the Mysore Silk Weaving factory. Over the years not only did the factory cloth the royal family but also made parachutes for British army during the World War II!
Silk factory
The old factory is operational even today and we will visit it. It’s a fascinating experience to see the process of Silk production from reeling of cocoon to the weaving of silk fabric. It is one of the hidden Mysore tourism places. We will visit the factory showroom to see an amazing collection of Silk Sarees which is the finished product from the Silk Weaving factory. Silk Sarees are a cultural icon in South India. Ranging in length from 6-9 yards, these Sarees are worn by women during auspicious occasions like a wedding or a birthday.
Silk cocoon auction
Ramnagaram is famous today for its silk industry and receives 50 tons of silk cocoons every day making it Asia’s largest silk cocoon market. We will visit the Government Silk Cocoon Market and if lucky we can even witness an auction!
Mysore Bazaar
We will visit a charming old bazaar of Mysore which is a sensorial delight made up of flowers, vegetables, fruits, jaggery, onions and potatoes, puffed rice and coconuts!
Mysore Palace
The grand Mysore Palace is the highlight of the tour of Mysore from Bangalore. We will travel back to the golden era of Mysore Maharajas to imagine the glory that was Mysore, epitomized by this wonder built in Indo-Saracenic style with a blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. The Palace is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. The guided tour will take you through the Public Hall, Private Hall, Dolls Pavilion and the Royal Wedding Hall.
Guided Tour
Silk route to Mysore tour is a guided tour to tell the fascinating story of Mysore Silk. Our guide will help guests appreciate the key role played by Silk in Mysore's economy as well as the society.
Private Tour
A private tour ensures that we are able to focus all our attention on you and adjust the pace of the Mysore silk tour according to your interests. Pick and drop from your hotel in an airconditioned vehicle is included.
Strenghening local community
Till the early part of 20th century, Mysore was the world's largest producer of sandalwood oil. The world wars disrupted the export and the Maharaja diversified into creating products based on sandalwood oil. Over the years the small merchants who deal in sandalwood oil, have been struggling with demand. Our company endeavors to help this community. We buy their sandalwood products and strengthen their livelihood.
Tripadvisor Reviews
Pricing chart
- Pick & drop
- Travel by Innova
- Guide
- Entrance charges
- South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
- Pick & drop
- Travel by sedan
- Guide
- Entrance charges
- South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
- Pick & drop
- Travel by sedan
- Guide
- Entrance charges
- South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
Trip Itinerary
The story of Mysore Silk.
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