Mysore is the second-largest city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of the Mysore district and the Mysore division and lies about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. The name Mysore is an anglicised version of Mahishūru, which means the abode of Mahisha. Mahisha stands for Mahishasura, a demon from Hindu mythology. The city is spread across an area of 128.42 km2 (50 sq mi) and is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills. Mysore is famous for the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. Mysore also lends its name to the Mysore mallige, Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, Mysore Peta (traditional silk turban) and the garment called the Mysore silk saree. Until 1947, Mysore was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore which was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty, except for a brief period in the late 18th century when Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan took power. The Wodeyars were patrons of art and culture and have contributed significantly to the cultural growth of the city, which has led to Mysore earning the sobriquet Cultural capital of Karnataka.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysore

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1170:

Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket was slain in his own cathedral by four knights of Henry II of England. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket

1845:

The Republic of Texas was annexed by the United States, becoming the 28th U.S. state admitted into the union. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Texas

1860:

To counter the French Navy's La Gloire, the world's first ironclad warship, the British Royal Navy launched the world's first iron-hulled armoured battleship, HMS Warrior. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Warrior_%281860%29

1911:

Sun Yat-sen was elected as the provisional President of the Republic of China by representatives from provinces in Nanjing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Yat-sen

1930:

During an address in Allahabad, poet and philosopher Muhammad Iqbal introduced what became known as the Two-Nation Theory outlining a vision for the creation of an independent state for Muslim-majority provinces in northwestern India. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Iqbal

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

impetuous (adj): 1. Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner. 2. Characterized by sudden and violent force http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/impetuous

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border? There is a brotherhood among all men. This must be recognized if life is to remain. We must learn the love of man. --Pablo Casals http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pablo_Casals