Seven Palaces In Mysore That Make It The “City Of Palaces”
Mysore, the second-largest city in Karnataka, is well known for its heritage and culture. Once the seat of the kings of Mysore, the heritage city is now a world-famous tourist destination. The days of the Raj are long gone, and the city of Mysore has made many leaps in technological and business advancement. But it still retains the old-world charm of the bygone days and appears to be a sleepy town. Life moves at a slower pace here in this city of beautiful palaces, old temples, monuments and ancient tradition and culture. The rulers of the Wadiyar dynasty left their mark on the city of Mysore in the form of several beautiful palaces. No visitor should leave the heritage city without seeing these beautiful palaces in Mysore.
Palaces In Mysore You Must Visit
The heritage city, also known as the City of Palaces is home to seven palaces, the most famous of them being the incredible Mysore Palace. The Wadiyar kings and queens were great patrons of the arts and hired the best craftspeople in the country to work on these structures. A visit to Mysore is incomplete without a visit to these palaces that are architectural marvels.
Several of these royal residences are now part of government heritage properties. The buildings have been repurposed and used as government offices and entry is restricted. But one can still visit those where the public is allowed.
1. The One That Needs No Introduction: Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace)
The most iconic landmark of Mysore and the city’s proudest possession is the magnificent Mysore Palace. The home of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in India that attracts over 6 million tourists every year. Originally built in the fifth century, the palace has since been demolished and reconstructed and renovated several times. The three-story structure is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style with blends of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture.
The grey granite structure features beautiful, deep pink marble domes, turrets, expansive arches and a 145-foot five-story tower with a gold plated dome. The facade of the palace has seven expansive arches, and atop the central arch sits an impressive idol of the goddess Gajalakshmi and her elephants.
The two durbar halls in the palace are opulently decorated with beautiful paintings, carved columns, stained glass ceilings, rosewood doors and chandeliers. The octagonal kalyana mantapa with its beautiful stained glass ceiling with peacock motifs is a breathtaking sight. In addition to these, the palace also has a gombe thotti (dolls pavilion), several temples, courtyards and beautifully laid out gardens. The palace is open from 10 AM-5.30 PM. It is one of the most beautiful of all the palaces in Mysore, best seen in the evenings, and on public holidays, when it’s lit with over 1 lakh bulbs.
Read more: History of Mysore Palace, home of the legendary Wadiyars
2. Stay In This Five-Star Hotel: Lalitha Mahal Palace
The white painted Lalitha Mahal Palace at the base of the Chamundi Hills is one of the most elegant palaces in Mysore. Built in 1921, the Lalitha Mahal Palace is the second largest of the palaces in Mysore. Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV commissioned E.W. Fritchley, an architect from Bombay (now Mumbai) to build the palace. It was built for the exclusive stay of the then Viceroy of India. Later it was used as a guest house for the Maharaja’s European guests.
The palace is built in the Renaissance style of architecture and is considered to be an adaptation of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The two-storied structure, which is set amidst sprawling landscaped gardens, is said to be a reflection of English manor houses and Italian palazzos. The palace is now a five-star heritage hotel.
3. A Display Of Art: Jaganmohan Palace
The beautiful Jaganmohan Palace is located in the centre of Mysore city. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III had it built in 1869. The royal family moved in and lived here when the main Mysore Palace was under construction after it burnt down in an accident. Today Jagmohan Palace has been repurposed into an art gallery and called Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. It’s considered to be one of the best art galleries in south India, displaying artwork and artefacts that belonged to the Wadiyars.
The massive wooden doors of the palace are one of its main attractions. The carvings on the doors depict the dashavatara (the ten incarnations of Vishnu). The walls of the palace also have murals depicting the Mysore Dasara and beautiful carvings depicting the lineage of the Wadiyars and their royal history. The Jaganmohan Palace is open to visitors from 8 AM-5.30 PM every day.
4. A Mansion Turned Research Institute: Cheluvamba Mansion
The Cheluvamba Mansion on the Mysore-Krishnaraja Sagar road, is in the north-west part of the city. The palace, which is near Mysore Railway Station, was built in 1911 for Princess Cheluvajammanni, the third daughter of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Like the other buildings of the Wadiyar dynasty, the mansion is spread over a large area and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. Currently, it is home to the Central Food Technological Research Institute. Entry restricted for the general public.
5. A Mansion Of Museums: Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion
Jayalakshmi Vilas was constructed in 1905 by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar for his eldest daughter, Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani. The palace was initially known as the First Rajkumari Mansion. It’s set on a vast estate on a hillock to the west of Kukkarahalli Kere (lake). It’s now part of the University of Mysore. It was acquired by the University to establish Manasagangotri, the postgraduate centre in the campus.
Since the building had been neglected for a long time, it had been in a state of disrepair when it was acquired. It was renovated from 2002 till 2006 at the cost of INR 1.17 crores, which was donated by the Infosys Foundation. The renovated mansion is spread across six acres and has 125 rooms, 300 windows and 287 exquisitely carved doors. The mansion currently houses three museums— the archaeology, folklore and general museums display priceless artefacts.
6. Once A Summer Palace For Kings: Rajendra Vilas
The Rajendra Vilas Palace on top of Chamundi Hills was used as a summer palace by the Wodeyar kings. At an elevation of 1000 feet, the palace offered great views of the city below. Its construction was initiated in 1920. However, a smaller structure existed at the location since 1822. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV commissioned the construction in the place where he was once taught philosophy and English.
The palace was completed in 1938-1939, but it turned out to be smaller than originally planned because of financial constraints. Post Indian independence, it was converted into a luxury hotel by the reigning king, Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wodeyar. The hotel had 25 suites built in the Indo-Saracenic style with blends of Rajasthani architecture. However, it was closed due to labour problems in the 1980s. Though renovation of the palace began in 2004, it wasn’t completed. Currently, the palace lies in a state of neglect.
7. Now An Eco-Friendly Heritage Hotel: Chittaranjan Palace
The Chittaranjan Palace was originally built for one of the princesses of the Wadiyar dynasty. Constructed in 1916, it was sold to a Mysorean family, who converted it into the now famous Premier Studios, the headquarters of a film company. Several movies and TV shows have been shot in the studio, including the popular TV serial ‘The Sword of Tipu Sultan’. However, the studio was shut down after a fire broke out. Now, the palace has been converted into an eco-friendly heritage hotel. Its 31 rooms run on solar energy and don’t have any air conditioning or televisions. The green hotel also donates all its profits to charity.
Also read: 6 eco-friendly luxury hotels around the world
A Glimpse Of The Royal Life Of The Wadiyars
These beautiful palaces of the Wadiyars hold a lot of symbolic value, not just for their history but also their magnificence. These architectural marvels from the past are a testament to the Wadiyars’ tastes and the expertise of the craftsmen who built these palaces. The inhabitants of some of these palaces are long gone, but they still stand proud. A visit to these palaces in Mysore will give you a glimpse into the once grand life of the Wadiyar dynasty.
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