Mysore Palace: A Historically Significant Royal Residence
Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Villas, is a symbol of India’s rich history and legacy. This opulent estate (among India’s most beautiful and talked-about) boasts a rich cultural heritage of its own. This royal residence serves as the seat of the Wadiyar dynasty and the office of the Kingdom of Mysore. Thus, a trip to Mysore is incomplete unless you pay a visit to this magnificent palace, which boasts fantastic architecture and fascinating history dating back to its illustrious past.
This palace is built atop the site of an ancient 14th-century fort that was demolished and rebuilt many times. It is located in the heart of Mysore, facing Chamundi Hills, within the old fort. After the Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace is India’s most visited attraction, with over 6 million visitors each year. Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi and her son Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV commissioned Henry Irwin, a British architect, to build a new palace in the 18th century.
The project was overseen by an executive engineer who had conducted extensive architectural studies in Delhi, Madras, and Calcutta during his visits. In the Mysore Palace, you’ll notice a few architectural designs from these cities. The palace was expanded in 1930, during the reign of Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. Residents gradually relocated to the most recent build off’s as the citadel was re-decorated. The architectural characteristics of domes inside the palace are Indo-Saracenic; they are a mix of Mughal, Hindu, Gothic, and Rajput styles.
In terms of construction, this three-story palace is made of stones and features a 145-foot 5-story tower as well as a few magnificent marble domes in deep pink and ravishing grey. The Mysore palace has three entrances: the Front (East) Gate for dignitaries, the South Gate for the general public, and the West Gate, which is only open during Dasara. The main complex is 245 feet long and 156 feet wide, with a large garden surrounding it. My mind will never forget the exquisite beauty that my eyes feasted on.
There are some incredible European and Indian artefacts in the inlet passageway. Intricately designed arches, stained glass ceilings, opulent Czechoslovakian chandeliers, awnings, columns, glazed flooring, durbars, and exquisite furnishings lead to the entrance. A sculpted statue of Gajalakshmi with her elephants – the divine Goddess of wealth, good fortune, and abundance – stands over the middle arch. There are also chambers, temples, courtyards, and terraces, each more magnificent than the last. In the Old Fort, there are three influentially exclusive temple buildings and 18 in the main palace.
Temples are strewn about the grounds of the mansion. The Lakshmi Swamy Temple is the most important of these because it is one of the oldest, and it is also where the royals were crowned. The 19th-century Shweta Varahaswamy Temple (with murals from the Ramayana and Bhagavatha) and temples dedicated to Shiva and Krishna are also worth visiting. With its unusual Surya Mandala, Bhuvaneshwari Temple, on the other hand, proved to be my favourite. You’ll see breathtaking examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture all along the way.
Mysore Palace’s celebrated light and sound show on Dussehra brings the palace’s ancient history to life. Hundreds of thousands of lights adorn the palace. Between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., you can visit this ancient artefact treasure trove.
