Mysore Palace

An attractive monument located in the very heart of the 'City of Palaces' at Mirza Road stands proudly in the form of Mysore Palace or the Maharajah's Palace. Counted amongst the largest palaces of the country, the palace was the royal abode of the Wodeyar rulers. Originally known as Amba Vilas, the palace was made in wood. Unfortunately, it got burnt down in 1897 and was then rebuilt by the contemporary Wodeyar ruler in 1912.

Designed by a famous British architect, Henry Irwin, the palace is an exuding example of unmatched grandeur. Treasuring exquisite carvings and art pieces from all over the world, the palace is built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades.

The three storied building of the palace measuring 245 feet in length and 156 in breadth houses arched square towers lined in a series. One can enter this architectural wonder through a gallery depicting ceremonial objects from India and Europe. Halfway along this 'Gombe Thotti', is the main entrance of the palace named the Elephant Gate. Decorated with floral designs this gate bears a double headed eagle, the royal symbol of Mysore on top. Dolls from the early nineteenth and twentieth century along with 'Howdah' a carriage kept on a ceremonial wooden elephant adorn the Northern side of the gate.

'Kalyana Mantapa' or the marriage pavilion stands magnificently in the South. With a gabled ceiling of multi colored stained glass with peacock motifs arranged in geometrical patterns and beautiful chandeliers from Czechoslovakia; this pavilion is a kaleidoscope of festivities at Mysore. Glazed glittering tiles from England adorn the floor of the palace. The meeting halls of the palace coined as 'Diwan-e-am' - the Durbar Hall and 'Diwan-e-khas' - the hall for private audience are housed on the second floor of the palace. The palace is also surrounded by twelve temples built in Dravidian style. Religious ceremonies are still conducted in these temples on special occasions.

Under the able surveillance of the Department of Archaeology and Museums of the Karnataka Government, the palace has now been converted into a museum. A store house of jewellery, souvenirs, paintings, royal costumes and weapons of the Wodeyar dynasty, the palace is said to have the largest quantity of gold items on display. The royal throne of the Wodeyars weighing 200 kg in gold is also put on display during the Dussehra festival. The palace is extravagantly illuminated during the festival and on Sunday nights.