The debate over Mysore vs Mysuru still divides auto-rickshaw drivers at Gandhi Square – ask for “Mysuru Palace” and older drivers correct you saying “it’s Mysore Palace, sir,” while younger ones use both interchangeably. The 2014 official name change from Mysore to Mysuru cost the government 12 crores for replacing signboards, documents, and stationery, yet seven years later, the Mysore Palace ticket still reads “Mysore Palace” because the Archaeological Survey of India hasn’t updated their systems, claiming heritage monuments retain historical names.
The Mythology Behind Mahishuru
The original name Mahishuru comes from Mahishasura, the buffalo demon killed by Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hills. The exact spot, marked by Mahishasura statue 800 steps up, receives offerings from 500+ devotees daily who believe the demon turned good after death. Local priest Nagendra Sharma, whose family served here for 200 years, insists the Sanskrit pronunciation was always “Mahishuru” not “Mahishooru” as scholars claim.
Ancient inscriptions at Somanathapura temple (1268 CE) spell it “Mahishuru” in Kannada script. The Mysore Gazetteer of 1887 notes 16 different spellings in various historical documents – Mahishuru, Mohishore, Maisuru, Mysour, each reflecting the writer’s linguistic background. Persian records from Hyder Ali’s time write “Maisur” while Maratha documents use “Mohissur.”
The transformation from Mahishuru to Mysuru happened gradually through common usage. Kannada speakers naturally shortened Mahishuru to Mahisuru, then Maisuru, finally Mysuru. The British, unable to pronounce Mysuru correctly, anglicized it to Mysore – easier for English tongues. This wasn’t unique; Bengaluru became Bangalore, Mangaluru became Mangalore, Belagavi became Belgaum.
British Colonial Impact on Name
The British formalized “Mysore” in 1799 after defeating Tipu Sultan. Every official document from the Subsidiary Alliance treaty onwards used “Mysore” exclusively. The Mysore State railway station board installed in 1882 (now in Rail Museum) shows “MYSORE” in English, “?????” in Hindi, but interestingly “??????” (Mysuru) in Kannada – proving locals never stopped using the original.
Colonial administrators found “Mysore” convenient for telegraph codes, postal systems, and administrative uniformity. The Mysore Gazette, established 1866, cemented the anglicized version in official usage. Even Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, despite being Kannada patron, used “Mysore” in English correspondence while signing “?????? ???????” (Mysuru Samsthana) in Kannada documents.
The 1956 States Reorganisation retained “Mysore State” for expanded Karnataka until 1973. This spread “Mysore” usage statewide as administrative headquarters. Government offices, from tehsil to secretariat, adopted English spellings for efficiency. The University of Mysore (1916), Mysore Medical College (1924), and other institutions institutionalized the colonial name.
The 2014 Name Change Decision
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the name change on November 1, 2014 (Karnataka Rajyotsava day) claiming to restore cultural identity. The decision affected 12 cities – Bangalore to Bengaluru being most prominent. The state spent 50 crores total on all changes. Mysore-Mysuru change alone cost 12 crores including railway station boards, bus stands, and government offices.
The official notification (GO No. RD 104 MUM 2014) stated: “to reflect local pronunciation and cultural authenticity.” The process took three years of committees, public consultations, and legislative approval. Kannada Sahitya Parishat pushed hardest, arguing colonial names erased linguistic heritage. Counter-arguments about international recognition and rebranding costs were overruled.
Implementation happened in phases. Government offices changed immediately, railways took six months, highways boards one year. Private businesses weren’t mandated to change, creating confusion. Mysore Sandal Soap, Mysore Paints, Mysore Paper Mills retained old names citing brand value worth hundreds of crores.
Local Reactions and Resistance
Auto-rickshaw unions protested, claiming tourists couldn’t pronounce “Mysuru” correctly, affecting their business. Hotels worried about SEO impact – “Mysore hotels” had 10x more Google searches than “Mysuru hotels.” Tour operators spent lakhs reprinting brochures. The Mysore Hotel Owners Association petitioned for reversal, unsuccessfully.
Educational institutions faced unique challenges. University of Mysore became University of Mysuru, but alumni associations worldwide kept old names. Degree certificates created confusion – students needed affidavits confirming “Mysore University” and “University of Mysuru” were identical. International applications required explanatory letters.
Common citizens remained divided. Krishnamurthy, a Gandhi Square shopkeeper, says: “My shop board says ‘Mysore Silks’ since 1975. Changing to ‘Mysuru Silks’ costs 25,000 and customers know the old name. Why change?” Meanwhile, his son argues: “We speak Kannada, we should use Kannada names. Pride matters more than convenience.”
Mysore vs Mysuru Current Usage
Seven years later, usage remains mixed. Government documents exclusively use “Mysuru.” Private sector predominantly uses “Mysore.” Media uses both – Kannada media says “Mysuru,” English media varies. Times of India uses “Mysuru” in text but “Mysore” in headlines for space. Star of Mysore newspaper retained its name citing heritage.
Google Trends shows “Mysore” searches still outnumber “Mysuru” 3:1 globally, but locally it’s 50-50. International tourists search “Mysore Palace” while domestic tourists increasingly search “Mysuru tourism.” Travel websites maintain both names for SEO. Wikipedia redirects “Mysore” to “Mysuru” but mentions both throughout.
Railway announcements say “Mysuru” in all languages, but passengers still say “Mysore ticket” at counters. KSRTC buses display “??????” (Mysuru) in Kannada and “Mysuru” in English, yet conductors shout “Mysore! Mysore!” to attract passengers. The dichotomy reflects practical reality versus official mandate.
Economic Impact of Name Change
Mysore brand value, estimated at 5,000 crores by Brand Finance India, faced dilution. Mysore Sandal Soap’s century-old recognition, Mysore Silk’s GI tag, Mysore Masala Dosa’s global fame – all linked to “Mysore” spelling. GI tag modification alone cost 2 crores in international re-registration.
Tourism initially suffered. International tour operators complained about customer confusion. Hotel bookings dropped 15% in 2015 as SEO rankings reset. Recovery took two years. Now, smart businesses use both names – “Mysuru (Mysore)” in marketing materials. Google Maps shows “Mysuru” officially but accepts “Mysore” in searches.
Printing industry benefited – visiting cards, letterheads, signboards, stamps all needed replacement. Prakash Printers on Sayyaji Rao Road reported 50 lakh additional business in 2014-15. Sign board makers worked overtime for months. Even marriage invitation printers updated templates.
Legal and Administrative Challenges
Property documents created complexity. Sale deeds saying “Mysore” required affidavits confirming location identity with “Mysuru.” Court cases titled “Mysore District” versus “Mysuru District” needed clarification. Lawyers charged extra for additional paperwork. The District Court issued standing order accepting both names in documents dated before November 2014.
Passport and visa applications faced scrutiny. Indians abroad struggled explaining why birthplace changed from Mysore to Mysuru. Embassy attestations required additional documentation. Students applying to foreign universities needed transcripts reissued. The MEA finally issued circular accepting both names for pre-2014 documents.
GST registration complicated matters. Businesses registered under “Mysore” needed amendments for “Mysuru” addresses. Tax consultants made fortunes managing transitions. Even today, GST portal accepts both pincodes – 570001 for Mysore and Mysuru – creating technical redundancy.
Cultural Significance of Renaming
Kannada activists celebrated cultural victory. Dr. Chandrashekhara Kambara, Jnanpith awardee, wrote: “Reclaiming our names reclaims our identity. Mysuru sounds like home; Mysore sounds like history written by others.” Kannada Sahitya Sammelana passed resolution appreciating government’s courage.
Critics argued tokenism over substance. Professor U.R. Rao questioned: “Does changing Mysore to Mysuru improve Kannada medium education? Does it create Kannada jobs? Real linguistic pride needs substantive policy, not symbolic gestures.” The debate continues in intellectual circles.
Young generation adapts pragmatically. College student Priya says: “I write Mysuru in Kannada contexts, Mysore when applying abroad. It’s code-switching, like speaking Kannada at home and English at work. Both names are ours.” This bilingual comfort might be the eventual resolution.
Future of the Dual Identity
Mysore/Mysuru will likely maintain dual identity indefinitely. Official documents will say Mysuru, cultural products will preserve Mysore. Like Mumbai/Bombay, Chennai/Madras, both versions will coexist. The market decides usage more than government notifications.
International recognition remains tied to “Mysore” – Mysore Palace, Mysore Painting, Mysore Yoga. Changing established global brands proves impossible. UNESCO documents, international treaties, academic citations – all preserve historical spellings. Future generations might know both equally.
The real victory isn’t choosing Mysore vs Mysuru but preserving both as valid identities. The city’s thousand-year history encompasses Mahishuru, Mysuru, and Mysore. Each name represents an era, a linguistic tradition, a cultural perspective. Together, they tell Mysuru/Mysore’s complete story.
Learn more about local culture in our Kannada language guide. Visit Karnataka Government website for official name change notifications and documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mysore officially become Mysuru?
November 1, 2014 (Karnataka Rajyotsava day). The Karnataka government approved renaming 12 cities including Mysore to Mysuru. Implementation happened gradually over 2014-2016 across different departments.
Which name should tourists use – Mysore or Mysuru?
Both work everywhere. Government offices use Mysuru, tourism industry understands both. Google Maps, booking sites, railways accept either. International visitors find Mysore easier to pronounce.
Why do some businesses still use Mysore?
Private businesses weren’t legally mandated to change. Many retained “Mysore” for brand recognition – Mysore Sandal Soap, Mysore Silk, Mysore Palace. Changing established brands costs crores without clear benefit.
What was the original ancient name?
Mahishuru, derived from demon Mahishasura killed by Goddess Chamundeshwari. This evolved to Mahisuru, then Maisuru, then Mysuru in Kannada. British anglicized it to Mysore for administrative convenience.
Will Mysore name disappear completely?
Unlikely. Like Bombay/Mumbai, both names will coexist. International recognition, brand value, and historical documents preserve “Mysore” while official usage promotes “Mysuru.” Dual identity seems permanent.
Updated: June 2025 | Both names accepted citywide