Iconic, active temple dedicated to the goddess Mahalaxmi; culturally important and architecturally interesting — visit outside main puja times for a quieter experience. (Open roughly 5:00am–9:00pm.)
Drive up Chamundi Hill for panoramic city views and visit the Chamundeshwari Temple; best visited before the evening to avoid the rush (temple open generally 6:00am–7:30pm).
Short drive north of Mysore to the bird sanctuary; morning boat rides (usually 7:00am–4:00pm for visitors, boats first thing are best) offer close views of native and migratory birds and crocodiles.
Famous terraced gardens below Krishnarajasagara dam; the evening musical fountain and lighting are the highlight (gardens open ~6:00pm and fountain shows around 7:00pm–8:30pm — check local schedule).
Long drive back north, retracing the route via Kolhapur; plan regular breaks and a lunch stop mid-route. If you prefer not to drive the whole distance, consider booking an overnight Volvo bus or a train from Mysore/Bengaluru to Pune instead (book early).