JAGAN MOHAN PALACE

HISTORY

Officially known as Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Jagan Mohan Palace was the former royal residence of the Wadiyar Dynasty. In the 1830 Nagar uprising, the commission sent by the British deposed Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III and took over the throne. Though the commission was dissolved two years later, and his successor ascended the throne, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III built the Jagan Mohan Palace if such a situation may arise again. The construction that began in 1856 was completed by 1861. 

ABOUT LOCATION

ARCHITECTURE

The palace is built in a blend of Hindu and European architectural styles with an interior made of wood. The three-storeyed structure showcases some of the best paintings and carvings in the country. The main door of the palace is beautifully carved with images of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu or the Dasavatara. The mural paintings on the walls are another highlight. Among them is the illustration of Mysore Dasara, drawn using a vegetable dye. A wall is also dedicated to the family tree of the Wadiyar Dynasty. 

The palace was last occupied in 1897 – 1912 when the then-Mysore palace was destroyed in a fire during the wedding of Princess Jayalakshmi Devi. Along with the daily Darbar conducted here, the structure witnessed several vital functions, like the special Dasara Darbar and the Coronation of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV in 1902. 

ART GALLERY/MUSEUM

The art gallery houses the most extensive collection in South India, with over 2000 paintings from Mughal, Mysore, Shantiniketan and Western styles. This includes around 16 paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, some depicting the scene from Ramayana and Mahabharata epics. 

An entire room is dedicated to “Lady with the Lamp“, a realistic painting by Swakaram Haldenker. The dark room evinces the illusion of the lady’s face being illuminated by the lamp. The gallery also features a distinctive collection of clocks and engravings from Japan. Among them is the French clock built with a mechanism in which a parade by miniature soldiers is displayed every hour, where beating drums mark the seconds and a bugle marks the minute. Other exhibits in the gallery include exquisite ceramic and brassware, weapons of war, musical instruments, coins, and currencies. 

AUDITORIUM

The Royal Auditorium was built with an external frontage in 1900 and is maintained by Sri Jayachamarajendra. This front has three entrances, and the entablature (an element of classical architecture) has religious motifs and miniature temples crafted on it. 

The auditorium was opened to the public in 1980. It was used for conducting cultural events like dance performances, concerts, dramas, cultural programs and the yearly Dasara celebration. The Mysore Royal family used the theatre to watch art and cultural shows. Presently, the auditorium hosts several well-known national and international artists.

THINGS TO KNOW

HOW TO REACH 

Situated near the City Bus Stand in Mysore, Jaganmohan Palace is about 2 km from the Mysore Railway Station and a KSRTC Bus Station. You can avail a taxi or a rickshaw to reach the palace. 

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Even though the city attracts tourists throughout the year, the best time to visit is during the Dasara festival, when the city is decked up with lights. The weather is not too harsh here, making this one of the most visited cities during summer vacations.

NEARBY LOCATIONS

Mysore Palace(0.6km): A historical palace and one of the most famous tourist attractions in India.

Rail Museum(1.5km): the museum in Mysore showcases the rich history and development of Indian railways through its collection of vintage locomotives and artefacts.

Mysore Zoo(1.6 km): one of the best Zoological gardens in India that hosts a wide range of species.

Kukkarahalli Lake(2 km): a J-shaped scenic lake spread around 58 hectares.