The palace in the Garden city of Mysuru attracts thousands of tourists every day. The garden city of Mysuru, tourist paradise, has natural and artistic backdrop in the form of the Chamundi Hill on which resides the residing deity of Mysuru and its Royal Family, Chamundeshwari temple.
The city derives its hoary past on the hill itself. With the traditional funding of the Mysore dynasty, in 1399 A.D. by Yaduraya, Mysuru has seen 24 rulers. However, until the emergence of Raja Wodeyar in 1578 A.D. the Mysore Kingdom was small feudatory Kingdom under the Vijayanagara Kingdom. With fall of Vijayanagara in 1565 A.D. the Wadiyars of Mysore, inherited and perpetuated the traditions of Mysore.
There was an interregnum between 1761 and 1799 when Haidar Ali and his celebrated son Tipu Sultan were virtually the rulers of the state until Tipu Sultan fell at the capture of Srirangapatna by the British in 1799. The 5 year old prince Krishanraja Wadiyar III, was then installed as the King of Mysore on the throne of his ancestors.
The Mysuru Palace:
The Construction of the palace was completed in 1912; two special features in the construction of this palace are noteworthy. Utilization of local materials as for as possible and adaption of fireproof methods of construction which was be an essential feature.
The main building is of massive grey granite, three storeyed, and dominated by a five storeyed tower covered by a gilded dome. The tower is about 145 feet from the ground to the golden flag on its summit. The imposing facade has seven big arches and two smack arches flanking the central arch, supported by tall pillars.
The Great Darbar Hall:
On the first floor, still facing east, is the great darbar hall, Divan-e-am, measuring 155 feet long by 42 feet wide. On the same floor, towards the south is a daintily decorated private darbar hall, called Ambavillas, the Diwan-e-khas. The second floor has several rooms and large halls on the sides.
The Kalyanamantappa or the marriage pavilion, in the ground floor, is a beauty to look at. The octagonal, painted pavilion has a colorful stained-glass ceiling. The designing of the stained decorations is said to have been done by the artists of Mysuru.
The dome is supported by clusters of triple cast iron pillars, at intervals. The main theme of the stained glass decoration as well as that of the mosaic floor is the peacock. Hence this hall is also called peacock pavilion.
Apart from the stained-glass decoration which is the centre attraction, the walls of this pavilion are covered with murals, depicting the famous Mysuru Dasara. The Dasara or the festival of ten nights was first celebrated on a grand scale by the rulers of Vijayanagar at Hampi.
The Golden Throne:
The star attraction of the Mysuru palace is the traditional ceremonial golden throne. The golden throne consists of the main seat, a staircase, and the golden umbrella. A benedictory verse, forming part of the Sanskrit inscription, consisting of 24 slokas in Anusthubh metre, engraved on the rim of the umbrella.
This throne is a work of art, although it has undergone slight alterations in the 1940s, it has retained the original artistic, decorative features.
Entry Timings: 10:00 A.M – 05:30 P.M
Entry Timings on Sundays/Public Holidays: 07:00 P.M – 08:00 P.M
Entry Ticket: Rs.70/ for Adults and Rs.30/- for Children above 10 years and below 18 years
Address: Mysuru Palace, Mysuru-570 001, Karnataka
Phone: 08212421051
Website: www.mysorepalace.gov.in
Email: ddmysorepalace@gmail.com
