More than once we’ve flown into Bengaluru (Bangalore) to begin our journeys in India. It’s always the cheapest way onto the subcontinent! On our first visit in the fall of 2017, accompanied by our Niece Jessi from Cleveland, Ohio USA, we took a short train ride from there to visit Mysuru (Mysore), the seat of the 15th century kingdom that remained intact until the British took control in 1831. We enjoyed touring the amazing palatial splendor! But to our surprise, that wasn’t the only thing happening!

The day we arrived, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just departed from the same train station less than an hour earlier. He’d been there to help dedicate the electrification of a new train line. The train station was aptly decorated for the dedication (see pics below). What fun to detrain to all the fanfare! With the help of the train porters we found a taxi and headed to our nearby hotel, the Radisson Blu.

To our complete surprise and delight, Prime Minister Modi had also just departed from the same hotel! So we enjoyed the fanfare there too! Below find the PM’s red carpet, still intact upon our arrival. We took advantage of the royal welcome and the tour of the royal surroundings throughout our several night visit.

Mysore continues to be one of our fondest standout memories! Have a look at the pics and short video below and you’ll see what all the stately palatial hoopla was about.