Best Time to Visit Mysore Palace

Most families plan their vacation around their kids’ school summer holidays. However, if you are planning to visit Mysore, it is a good idea to center it on the days of the Dassehra Festival of India, usually in October. Make sure you are there on the final day of Vijayadashmi!

It is hoped that this resource will give you complete information on the best time to visit the Mysore Palace. The illuminated Mysore Palace is not the only reason to visit during the month of October. There are also wonderful events & attractions at the time, which will make your vacation a truly memorable one. Here’s why…

1. The Royal Throne for Public Viewing in Mysore Palace:

The regal seat of the Wodeyar Royals is called the Chinnada Simhasana or Ratna Simahasana in the local language Kannada. It is housed in their residence – the Mysore Palace. While you can explore the Palace all-year round, it is only during the Dassehra Festival that the Royal Throne is re-assembled and put on display for public viewing.

The royal throne was designed from 200kgs.of pure gold – just imagine all that gold in one piece! The exact historical background of the royal throne is not known, but it is said that it first belonged to the Pandavas, then was brought to another city and finally came to be used as the royal seat of the Vijayanagar Kings. The Wodeyar dynasty was handed over the throne apparently in the early or late 1600s.

The Royal throne is not just a single seat. It has a couple of steps with balustrades that lead up to the seat and an umbrella (also made of gold) over the seat. The basic material used to create the throne was figwood, which was then beautified with ivory. The entire throne glitters not just from the gold incorporated in it, but also from the numerous precious stones, jewellery pieces and silver carvings. Even the balustrades gleam with figurines! The throne is blessed by the Hindu Trinity of Gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer). Each side of the throne is guarded by different entities – chariots (north), horses (south), elephants (east), and soldiers (west). The golden umbrella overhead has slokas that refer to Krishnaraja Wadiyar III as the ruler of the planet.

2. The Dassehra Procession in Mysore Palace:

As a reflection of the bygone royal processions, every year a procession of caparisoned jumbo elephants is taken out on Vijayadashmi day during the Dassehra Festival. It begins at the Mysore Palace. The idol of Goddess Chamundeswari is seated in the golden howdah mounted on an elephant specially selected for the honour. The over 700kg howdah (84kg is pure gold) can be viewed at the Mysore Palace in the Gombe Thotti (Doll’s Pavilion). Folk dancers and large tableaux are additional attractions of the procession.

Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, the current scion of the Wodeyar Dynasty, is the special guest. The procession generally covers a 5-km route through Chamarajendra Circle, K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Ayurveda College Circle and Highway Circle. It ends at the Torchlight Parade Grounds.

3. The Torch-light Parade near Mysore Palace:

The torch-light parade near Mysore Palace is called Bannimantap. It is the grand finale of the Dassehra Festival, organised on the last day which is Vijaydashmi. Sets of Colourful and unusual fireworks are set off at the Torchlight Parade grounds. Generally, there is also a display of daring stunts presented by Indian Army soldiers.

General Information:
(a)You can buy tickets for the Torchlight parade from the Mysore Urban Development Authority, the Mysore City Corporation office, or at any Tourist Information kiosk in the city.
(b) Vijaydashmi 2010 is on Sunday, October 17th 2010.

So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Mysore Palace right now, well in advance!

Best Time to Visit Mysore Palace

1. The Royal Throne for Public Viewing in Mysore Palace:

2. The Dassehra Procession in Mysore Palace:

3. The Torch-light Parade near Mysore Palace:

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