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Resources » Travel & Tourism » Temples in Karnataka
Mysore Palace
This article provides complete information about Mysore Palace, Mysore, India.
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The city of Mysore is Karnataka’s City of Royals. More specifically, these royals were of the Wodeyar (sometimes spelled as Wadiyar) dynasty. Their residence: the Mysore Palace, today one of the world’s famous tourist spots.
Historical Beginnings of the Mysore Palace
For the historically inclined, here is a little background information on the Mysore Palace: Way back in the fourteenth century, the palace was not a grand palatial home but more like a fort. Some time during the early 1600s, the lightning bolts resulting from the fury of the nature Gods practically destroyed the fort. King Kantirava Narasa Raja Wodeyar commissioned its restructuring with some extensions. In the 18th Century there were huge political upheavals following the death of King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar. Subsequently, when Tipu Sultan attacked the kingdom he demolished the structure entirely and became the ruler of Mysore. In the following years, time and again the structure was re-built and neglected. Finally, in 1912 British architect Henry Irwin was given the great task of reconstructing the palace by Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sanndihana. It is this beautiful Mysore Palace that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Architectural Beauty of the Mysore Palace
What attract these visitors are the architectural features. The three-storeyed Mysore Palace made from stone and granite has exquisite grey marble domes with pink hues and a massive five-storeyed tower with its golden dome rising towards the sky. Irwin had incorporated creative design styles from a variety of Indian architectural forms, including the Mughal and Rajput royal eras and those of the South. Gothic styles are also seamlessly blended in. At the very front of the Mysore Palace, seemingly guarding it, is Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth & prosperity, and her herd of elephants ('gajini' means female elephant in Hindi). Altogether seven arches dominate the façade, making an impressive picture.
Opulent Grandeur of the Mysore Palace
The grandeur continues inside, as you step over the threshold to be greeted by a truly regal sight – majestic columns, intricately carved doorways and the doors themselves and large pavilions. Wherever you look, you will see detailed frescoes that relate the stories of ancient Indian epics. Don’t forget to look up too! Breathtaking chandeliers are reflected in the stained glass panes embedded in the ceiling.
The first room that you enter through the main facade is the Gombe Thotti or the Doll’s Pavilion, so-called because of its interesting collection of dolls of the previous two centuries. You cannot overlook the presence of the 7 canons that are actually functional even today. In fact, they are fired to mark the opening and closing of the famed Dassehra procession. Speaking of canons, you should definitely not miss out on the collection of armoury that dates back to the 14th Century. It is housed in the Ayudhashala (Royal Armoury) pavilion. While this is on the upper floor, a pavilion on the ground floor displays royal jewellery and regal costumes.
Then there is the Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall). This pavilion displays the peacock symbol everywhere, including on the tiled floor. The most grandiose room in the Mysore Palace, though, is the Ambavilasa or Diwan-e- khas. This is not just a room, but actually a huge hall in which the King would have meetings in private with his ministers and guests. If you get a hint of an exotic fragrance in the air, don’t be surprised – it emanates from the rosewood door. You will be stepping on to a glittering floor that sparkles with semi-precious stones. If the public wished to meet the King, he granted them an audience in the Public Darbar Hall, which displays splendid paintings of famous Indian artists. Besides the rooms, there are a dozen temples and beautifully maintained gardens within the Mysore Palace complex.
Don’t forget to see the royal throne! This majestic regal seat can be viewed by the public only during the Dassehra Festival (see Best Time to Visit Mysore Palacelink below).
For complete information about the Mysore Palace you can check out the following useful Resources:
1. Location of the Mysore Palace
2. Contact Information of Mysore Palace
3. How to Reach Mysore Palace
4. Timings of the Mysore Palace, Entry Fees & Rules for Visitors
5. Best Time to Visit Mysore Palace
6. Attractions and Tourist Places near Mysore Palace
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