Mysore Palace

In the city with seven palaces, the Mysore palace is the one within the new fort. Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it serves as the official residence of the Mysore royal family. The palace in Mysore we see today synthesises architectural elements from different eras and styles, including the earlier wooden palaces, the British colonial period and the local Indo-Islamic designs. 

MYSORE PALACE HISTORY

The current palace in Mysore is the fourth one to occupy the site. The first one was a wooden structure constructed in the 14th century. Built by Yaduraya Wadiyar, founder of the Wadiyar dynasty, the palace was destroyed in a lightning strike in 1638.  It was reconstructed in the same year by his successor Kantirava Narasaraja Wadiyar. However, in 1793, the palace was again destroyed by Tipu Sultan.

After Tipu’s death, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III again rebuilt the palace. But the palace was destroyed by fire in 1897. After that Queen regent  Kempanjammanni Devi hired the British architect Henry Irwin to rebuild the palace to its full glory. The work began in 1897, and was completed in 1912.

MYSORE PALACE ARCHITECTURE

The architecture of the Mysore palace gains magnificence from the 19th-century Indo-Saracenic style, a unique fusion of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic designs. The three-storied structure is made of fine grey granite, while deep pink marble makes the giant domes on top. The palace also incorporates a five-storied central tower topped by a Persian dome. The Mysore Palace gardens, the wide courtyards, protruding balconies, and pointed arches are some distinctive characteristics of the palace. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PALACE

GOBBE THOTTI

You can enter the palace through the Gobbe Thotti or Doll’s pavilion. It features an extensive collection of traditional Indian dolls made of clay, wood and cloth. The arrangement is part of a tradition of worshipping dolls during Dussehra. The displays are Maharaja’s collections, which include European marble sculptures, and Rajasthani mirror works.

KALYANA MANDAPA

From there, you can move to the Kalyana mandapam. Belgian glass-stained windows that cast coloured shadows and the peacock motifs covering the ceiling are sights to awe. A prime example of Indian architecture is the dome with a beautiful chandelier hanging from it, supported by ornate pillars. A stunning display of the entire Dussehra procession through oil paintings on the walls adds to the surreal experience.

AMBA VILAS & THE GOLDEN THRONE

Amba Vilas is your next stop. Also known as the Diwan-e-khas or the private durbar hall, it has a beautiful doorway made of rosewood. The place houses the golden throne with a central seat, seven stairs leading up to it, an umbrella, various artworks, and beautiful murals. The umbrella, a symbol of royal authority, is adorned with pearls and 24 Sanskrit verses blessing the Wadiyar King. Elephants on the east decorate the throne, horses on the south, soldiers on the west and chariots on the north.

RESIDENTIAL MUSEUM

While the main palace impresses you with its splendour, the residential museum is known for its modest architecture. The open quadrangle is decorated with many vintage photos of the Mysore Maharajas with royal folks. The place also features toys like a tiny palanquin. You can continue to explore the upper floor, where period furniture, glassware and a magnificent collection of trophies are displayed. From there, spiral stairs take you to the rear side of the museum.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

The best time to visit the Mysore palace is from September to February, during the Dussehra festival. During the festival, the palace is outlined by thousands of beautiful yellow lights, giving the surroundings a golden hue. 

Mysore Palace illumination is a major highlight,where the whole palace is lit up on Sundays and public holidays. 

During Mahashivarathri,a significant Hindu festival,all Shiva temples are decorated where the primary attraction is the Golden Masks(Chinnada Kolaga) .These Masks will be decorated to Sri Trineshwaraswamy in Mysore Palace surroundings.

Tonga rides are available around the Palace which are joyous and cheaper. Footwear is not permitted in the palace. However, there are paid facilities to safeguard your footwear while you are touring the palace. It’s best to avoid coming here at noon, for the hot tiles can make walking difficult. 

THINGS TO DO NEAR MYSORE PALACE

Outside the palace, you might find a range of street vendors selling tasty local snacks and cuisines of Mysore. Some worth trying include the sweet Mysore Pak, the spicy Masala Dosa and the crunchy Churumuri. The sight of hundreds of pigeons feeding in front of the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple at the palace entrance is a treat for the eyes

The Jagan Mohan palace is only 1 km from the palace. The Karanji lake and Mysore zoo are 3km and 2.5 km, respectively. A journey of approximately 10 min(4km) can take you to Shuka Vana, home to rare parrot species. Brindavan Gardens, famous among tourists, is located at a distance of 20km.