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Crawford Hall, University of Mysore
Photograph by T.N.A. Perumal, F.R.P.S., M.F.I.A.P.
Mysore is the quintessential university town: quiet, unselfconsciously intellectual, steeped in history and culture. Founded in 1916 by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his dewan, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, Mysore University is the sixth oldest university in India and the first in the Princely State of Mysore.
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The Oriental Research Institute |
The main campus of the University, located at one end of Kukkarahalli Lake, covers an area of over 700 acres. Its euphonic name—Manasagangotri (fountainhead of the Ganga of the Mind)—was given by Karnataka's poet-laureate, Kuvempu. Crawford Hall, built in 1947, is the administrative centre of the University. In addition to administrative and college buildings, this campus now includes an amphitheatre, auditorium, swimming pool, cafeterias and modern hostels for both women and men. The Oriental Research Institute, built in 1887, initially housed both the Department of Archaeology and the library. The University now has over 8 lakh books (including copies of almost every significant Sanskrit work), and an impressive collection of journals and CD ROMs. Its Folklore Museum has ethnographic collections of South Indian toys, puppets and household objects.
The Mysore University of today meets the needs of about 53,000 students through 122 affiliated colleges and five constituent colleges, spread across the four districts of Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan. It also has 37 postgraduate departments, eight specialised research and training centres and two postgraduate centres—which together offer about 55 regular academic programmes to 3,500 students.
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| Boating at Kukkarahalli Lake |
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Kukkarahalli Lake is considered one of the jewels in the crown of Mysore. Spread across 58 hectares, with a 5-km shoreline, the lake touches the campuses of Mysore University, Kalamandir, Rangayana and CFTRI. The condition of the lake was once a cause for concern. But with the intervention and involvement of Mysore University and citizen participation, the lake is regaining its lost glory. Birds are once more flocking to its waters, a path has been created for walkers and boating facilities have been set up. |
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