MYSORE MAHARAJA PALACE
A palace to visit, with a large hall once used for private audiences, a dolls' pavilion, a wedding hall, etc.
Mysore Palace, the former residence of the Woodeyars, was the seat of the dynasty that ruled Mysore from 1399 to 1947. The incredible longevity of this dynasty was interrupted for only 30 years by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.
The first palace was built in the 14th century by King Yaduraya inside the Mysore fort. Repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, the present palace dates from 1912. The previous building was destroyed by fire. In 1897, the young maharaja Krishnaraja Woodeyar IV commissioned the construction of a new palace of unrivalled splendor. It was extended in 1940 by the last maharaja, Jayachamarajendra Woodeyar, who added a second durbar hall for public audiences. The palace blends different architectural styles: Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic. It faces the Chamundi hill. The three-storey granite building is topped with pink marble domes. The 75-meter-long façade is lightened by a set of regular arches. The central arch is topped by a statue of Lakshmi.
Ambavilasa. This large hall was used for private audiences, where the king received his ministers. The entrance is through a rosewood door inlaid with ivory, leading to a small sanctuary dedicated to Ganesh. The floors are in pietra dura, a technique of inlaying semi-precious stones in slabs of marble used in the Taj Mahal. The pillars are gilded. The ceilings are made of stained glass inlaid in steel grids to support the weight of the chandeliers.
Gombe Thotti. The Doll Pavilion is a gallery displaying a fine collection of dolls dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. It also features Indian and European statues, as well as some ceremonial objects, such as this howda (elephant-back seat) covered in 84 kilos of gold.
Kalyana mandapa. The wedding hall is housed in an octagonal room decorated with peacocks. The peacock occupies a central place in Indian symbolism. The peacock commonly symbolizes beauty and immortality. The stained-glass ceiling comes from Scotland.
Temples. The palace grounds are home to twelve Hindu temples. The oldest dates back to the 14th century.
The price of admission to the palace for foreigners rose sharply at the end of 2024, and is now exorbitant! However, on Sundays and public holidays, admission is free, and the palace is illuminated by almost 100,000 bulbs, creating a magical spectacle.
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Members' reviews on MYSORE MAHARAJA PALACE
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Attention, forte affluence durant les jours fériés indiens!
Nous avons pris un guide, ce qui nous a permis de nous approcher au plus près des salles à visiter et des objets luxueux mais aussi d'avoir des explications intéressantes, au milieu d'une foule très dense parce que nous y étions un dimanche. Et, il faut y aller le dimanche, parce que, à partir de 19h et pendant une heure, un spectacle féerique s'offre gratuitement aux visiteurs : le Palais est entièrement illuminé et là, c'est purement un rêve éveillé !