Is Mysore Safe in April 2026?

Touts and autorickshaw drivers approach tourists near Mysore Palace and falsely claim it is shut for a ceremony, darshan, or 'till 10 am / noon', then offer to drive you to other 'open' attractions. In reality they steer you to commission-paying silk, sandalwood-sculpture, and handicraft shops. The Mysore Palace Board has confirmed written complaints from tourists dissuaded this way.

How to avoid: The palace is open daily roughly 10am-5.30pm; ignore anyone outside saying otherwise and walk to the official ticket counters yourself to verify. Do not let a driver decide your itinerary, and refuse 'I'll take you somewhere better' offers.

Cab and rickshaw drivers tell tourists they will take them to 'the only government-approved emporium', then deliver them to a private shop that merely imitates the state Cauvery brand name (Cauvery/Kaveri/Cavery). Shopkeepers insist goods are 'original' while paying the driver commission. The genuine state-run Cauvery Arts & Crafts emporium is on Sayyaji Rao Road.

How to avoid: Go directly to the official Cauvery emporium on Sayyaji Rao Road or the KSIC outlet yourself; ignore any driver who 'recommends' a different government shop. Real government stores have a plain, run-down look and non-aggressive staff.

Drivers at the railway station and bus stands refuse the meter and quote inflated flat fares, or offer a suspiciously cheap all-day city tour. The 'tour' routes you through commission silk, sandalwood, and handicraft shops rather than the sights you asked for, and the driver is paid even if you buy nothing.

How to avoid: Use the prepaid autorickshaw/taxi counter at Mysore Junction or the city bus stand for a fixed fare and registration slip, or insist on the meter (about Rs 11/km). Refuse any 'whole day for a tiny price' offer and name your exact destinations.

Sellers push 'pure Mysore sandalwood oil' and perfumes in attractive boxes, but the thin, watery liquid is usually diluted or synthetic rather than genuine sandalwood. Authentic oil is scarce and expensive because the government factory's supply is severely limited.

How to avoid: Buy sandalwood oil and soap only from Karnataka Soaps & Detergents (KSDL) or the official Cauvery emporium. Treat very cheap 'sandalwood oil', free-gift packaging, and 'special tourist price' as red flags; genuine oil is viscous, not watery.

Men posing as official guides loiter at palace approaches and exhibition gates, speaking visitors' regional language to build trust, then attach themselves and demand payment for unwanted 'help' or steer you to commission shops. They are not appointed by the Tourism Department or Archaeological Survey of India.

How to avoid: Hire only guides with official Department of Tourism / ASI identification at the palace, or use the official audio guide. Decline anyone who approaches you first outside the gates and agree any price and scope in advance.