Mysore Palace is the most famous and grandiose building in the city of the same name. Despite the fact that it was built at a time when India was still a colony of the British Empire, the locals are very fond of this attraction.
General information
Mysore Palace is a symbol of the city of Mysore, which is located in the state of Karnataka. The official name of the attraction is Amba Vilas.
Interestingly, the palace is recognized as the second most visited tourist attraction in India, because it is visited annually by more than 3.5 million people. Most of its visitors are Hindus themselves. The first place is occupied by the Taj Mahal.
Brief history
Mysore Palace is the residence of the former Wodeyar kings of India who ruled the city during the Middle Ages. The landmark was built in the XIV century, but it was destroyed many times, and today tourists can see the building erected in 1897. The last restoration was carried out in 1940.
Interestingly, Mysore is popularly known as the”City of Palaces”. Indeed, in addition to Amba Vilas, you can see 17 more palace and park complexes here. For example, Jaganmohan Palace.
Architecture of the palace
Amba Vilas Palace is built in the Indo-Saracen style, characterized by mashrabiya windows( harem), pointed arches, many towers and minarets, open pavilions. Colors are bright and contrasting.
Interestingly, more than 90,000 flashlights are spent annually on lighting the palace.
The residence is built of stone, with two sides-marble domes and high towers, the height of which is more than 40 meters. The facade of the building is decorated with seven arches and elegant stone lace. One of the most interesting architectural details is the central arch, on top of which you can see the sculpture of Gajalakshmi-the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Amba Vilas is surrounded on all sides by a picturesque park with many palm trees and flowers. There is also a mini-zoo nearby, where you can see camels and elephants.
Also on the territory of the palace and park complex there are 12 ancient temples, the first of which was built in the XIV century. Most popular ones:
- Someshvara;
- Lakshmiramana;
- Shvesa Varahaswami.
What does the palace look like inside?
The interior of the Mysore Palace is no less beautiful and rich than the exterior. The exact number of rooms and halls is unknown, but the most beautiful are considered:
- Ambavilasa. This is a huge, luxurious hall where the royal family received guests of honor. The walls of the room are covered with mahogany and ivory panels, the ceiling is decorated with stained glass paintings and large crystal chandeliers in the shape of flowers. In the center of the hall is a gilded column.
- Gombe Totti (Puppet Pavilion). This is one of the most interesting parts of the palace, where you can see a rich collection of traditional Indian dolls of the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also several sculptures made by European masters.
- Kalyana Mantapa (Wedding Hall). This is the room where all the royal festivities took place. The walls and ceiling are decorated with glass mosaics, on the floor – the image of a peacock. On the walls – a huge number of paintings telling about the history of the royal family.
- Hall. This is one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace. It is flanked by tall turquoise and gold columns, and a crystal chandelier hangs from the glass ceiling.
- Portrait gallery. Here are paintings depicting all the Indian kings.
- Meeting room. A small room where subjects could meet the king.
- The armory. This is a hall that houses a large collection of weapons. Here you can find both knives and spears, as well as modern weapons (pistols, submachine guns).
- Casket of India. This hall contains real treasures – expensive gifts that foreign leaders brought to Indian kings. Especially valuable are products made from sandalwood.
In addition to the above-mentioned halls, in the palace you will see a huge golden carriage, the throne of the current king of India, doors made of gold and dozens of elaborate frescoes on the ceiling and walls.
Practical information
How to get
Mysore does not have an airport, so you can only get to the city from neighboring settlements by land transport. For example, you can get from Bangalore either by bus (boarding at the Central Bus Station) or by train (Main Railway Station) in 4 hours. The fare is 35 rupees.
It doesn’t make sense to travel from other places (for example, Goa, Chennai, Mumbai), as you will have to spend more than 9 hours on the road.
Mysore Bus Station is 2 km from the palace, which is a 30 – minute walk away.
- Address: Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysore 570001, India.
- Opening hours: 10.00-17.30.
- Admission fee: Rs 200 for foreigners and Rs 50 for Indians.
- Official website: www.mysorepalace.gov.in
Useful tips
- No photos are allowed inside the palace.
- Please remove your shoes before entering.
- Every September, the Mysore Palace hosts the Dashara Festival. On the tenth day of the festival, you can see a parade of elephants.
- Periodically, Mysore Palace Park hosts festivals where participants create floral arrangements and sculptures of animals and birds from fruits and vegetables.
- On the official website of Mysore Palace in India, you can take a virtual tour of the sights.
- Be sure to buy some world-famous sandalwood products in Mysore. It can be incense, perfume, soap, cream, or decorative items.
Mysore Palace is the main attraction of the state of Karnataka, which is worth visiting if you come to the south of India.
