About
The Wodeyars whose roots trace back to Dv?rak?, Gujarat’s Yadava community came to Karnataka and settled in Mysore getting enthralled by its natural beauty. Starting with Yaduraya Wodeyar who founded the Wodeyar dynasty in 1399, the Yadavas ruled the area for around six centuries. He was first to build a palace within Mysore’s Old Fort in the 14th century, but that was dismantled and built several times later. Immediately after the death of Tipu Sultan in May 1799, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III made Mysore his capital and eventually came under the control of the British. The spelling of the royal name of the dynasty was changed to Wadiyar from Wodeyar by his successors. In 1897 the wooden palace was destroyed by fire while the wedding ceremony of His Highness Rajarshi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV’s eldest sister, Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani was taking place. That year itself the young monarch and his mother, Her Majesty Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhna, regent of Mysore, delegated Lord Henry Irwin, a British architect, to construct a new palace. In 1912 the construction of the palace was completed at Rs. 4147913. It was expanded in 1940 under the rule of the last Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.
Architecture
The palace is a three-story stone structure made with fine granite, grey in color, having deep pink marble stones atop, and a five-story tower measuring 145 ft. The size of the palace measures 245 ft. by 156 ft. Designs of the domes illustrate Indo-Saracenic architecture which was applied by the British architects in British India during the late 19th century. It incorporates elements from Indian, Indo-Islamic, Neo-Classical, and Gothic revival styles. Three gates of the compound lead to the palace – the front gate (more specifically the East Gate) opens for the VVIPs and otherwise during the Dasara; the South Gate is designated for the general public, and the West Gate normally remains open in Dasara. Apart from these the cellar of the palace has many secret tunnels that lead to several confidential areas and other places like the town of Srirangapatna. Several fancy arches adorn the façade of the building with two smaller arches on either side of the central one that is supported with long pillars. A sculpture of the goddess of good luck, prosperity, and wealth, Gajalakshmi, with her elephants is seated atop the central arch. The palace facing Chamundi Hills is a manifestation of the devotion of the Maharajas of Mysore towards Goddess Chamundi. The emblem and coat of arms of the Mysore Kingdom adorn the entrance gate and arch. A large, beautiful, and well-maintained garden surrounding the palace makes the site even more spectacular.
Attractions & Events
The Mysuru Palace, the seat of the famous Wodeyar Maharaja’s of the Mysore Kingdom today stands as one of the precious possessions of the nation which is presently converted into a museum. The strikingly embellished and finely chiseled doors lead one to richly and elegantly ornate rooms. The exquisitely columned Durbar Hall, the solid silver doors, the finely incised mahogany ceilings, and many other embellishments of the palace make one spellbound while giving an idea of the exuberant lifestyle of the royals. Displays in the palace include royal dresses, souvenirs, musical instruments, and weapons used by the Wodeyars. An array of superb paintings including the ones illustrating 8 manifestations of Goddess Shakthi is also a masterpiece by famed artist Raja Ravi Verma finds a place in the palace.
The renowned Mysore Dasara festival is celebrated in the palace every year during autumn. The palace remains illuminated during the 10 days of the festival with around 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm. During the festival, the Chinnada Simhasana or Ratna Simahasana that is the royal throne decorated with fascinating designs on its gold plates is displayed. Different religious and cultural programs are performed in the palace during this time. On the auspicious day of Mahanavami that is the 9th day, after worshipping the ‘Pattada Katti’ or the royal sword it is taken on a procession with camels and elephants. The conventional Dasara procession initiates from the palace on the 10th day or Vijayadashami with great pomp and zeal, the central attraction of which is the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari seated on a golden mantapa made of around 750 kg of gold.
There are 12 Hindu temples in the palace built at various times from the 14th century till 1953. These include Someshvara Temple and Lakshmiramana among others.
Timings to Visit
10:00 AM to 05:30 PM
Mysore Palace Illumination Timings
● 07.00 pm – 07.45 pm on Sundays, National Holidays, and State Festivals.
● 07.40 pm – 07.45 pm on Weekdays (Monday to Saturday) after the sound and light show.
● There are no charges to watch Mysore Palace lighting
Mysuru Palace Sound and Light Show Timings & Charges
● A 45 minute sound and light show, depicting the 400 year history of Mysuru.
Show in Kannada Language :
Days: Monday to Wednesday, Timing is 7.00 PM to 8.00 PM. Saturday Timing is 8.15 PM to 9.15 PM.
Entrance Ticket is for Adults Rs.70/- & Children Rs.30/- Ticket.
Show in English Language :
Days: Thursday to Saturday – Time 7.00 PM to 8.00 PM
Entrance Ticket is for Adults Rs.90/- & Children Rs.40/- Ticket.
Mysore Maharaja Palace Entry Charges
● 70/- per person for Adults
● 30/- per person for Children (10-18 Yrs)
● 10/- per person for Students (Letter from School is Required)
● 200/- per person for Foreign Tourists (Audio Kit Included)
*Note:
● Entry from Varaha gate of the Mysore Palace
● Free entry for children below 10 yrs of age
● The Palace has 4 entrances, Main entrance is called “Jaya Maarthaanda” to the east, “Jayarama” to the North,” Balarama” to the South, “Varaha” to the west. Public Entry is from Varaha Gate.
● Photography inside Mysuru Main Palace is strictly prohibited
● Audio Kit Facility for Indians with additional cost. For Foreign Visitors its included in the Entrance Fee.
● Audio Kit is available at Mysuru Palace in the following languages: English, Hindi, Kan, Germany, Italy, Japan, France.
Time Duration to visit : 2-3 hours
For Online Mysuru Palace Entrance Ticket Click Here
How to reach
By Air: Mangalore – 109 km, Bangalore – 173 km.
By Train: Mysuru Junction – 2.3 km
By Road: Mysore City Bus Stand – 800mts, Mysore KSRTC Bus Stand – 1.8km, Bangalore Bus Stand – 140km
Address
Mysore Maharaja Palace, Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570001, India.
Official Website Mysuru Palace
Also Read Places to visit in Karnataka
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