The Hindu 01.12.2010
Century-old markets to get facelift
Special Correspondent
— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM 
Piece of history:Mandi Market, constructed in 1890, is one of the three markets in Mysore that will be restored.
MYSORE: Devaraja Market, Vani Vilas Market and Mandi Market here, all with a history of over a century, are to be rebuilt and restored.
On Tuesday, the Mysore City Corporation Council gave its approval to the project that aims to restore the buildings to their original glory.
Constructed in 1890, Mandi Market served the old city areas, including Nazarbad, while Vani Vilas Market, constructed more than 125 years ago, served residents of K.R. Mohalla, Fort Mohalla, Agrahara, Lakshmipuram and surrounding places.
The biggest of the three, Devaraja Market, is located in the heart of the city. Built in 1886, it continues to be popular with both locals and tourists. Full of the traditional flavour of the Mysore region, this market is renowned for its vegetable, fruit and flower stalls, as well as the small shops selling traditional ingredients. A must-visit for tourists, Devaraja Market provides the perfect photo-opportunity and has been featured in most travel guides as representing the essence of Mysore.
However, the markets are now in a dilapidated state, and risk collapse without restoration work. There have been many false starts in the repair work at Devaraja Market, but with the council's decision, it may regain some of its grandeur from the era of the Maharajas.
