The cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is well known for the 10 day long festivities that it plays host to during Dusshera. It is called the city of palaces basis sheer numbers. The most famous of course is the Amba Vilas, more popularly known as the Mysore Palace. Mysore also acts as the base for other tourist destinations. The Krishnarajasagar Dam, historical destinations like Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and Talakad, hill stations like Ooty, Sultan Battery and Madikeri, national parks like Bandipur, Nagarhole, Ranganathittu and Kokrebellur and the waterfalls at Shivanasamudra are all near Mysore.