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Introduction
 Located in the heart of Mysore City, Mysore Palace or the Maharajah's Palace is one of the most attractive monuments of Karnataka. A priceless national treasure, Mysore Palace is one of the largest palaces in the country and used to be the pride of the ancient kingdom of the Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore. An exemplary specimen of Indo-Saracenic architectural style, the palace is revered for the exquisite carvings and numerous works of art that it houses.
The original palace structure was built of wood and it got burnt in 1897. Later in 1912, Mysore Palace was rebuilt for the twenty fourth Wodeyar Raja. The three-storied palace building features a series of square towers with arches covered by domes. The front portion of the palace compound is marked by a wide open space and the central courtyard is covered by a gold-plated dome at a height of about 145 feet from the ground.
The entrance to Mysore Palace complex is through the 'Gombe Thotti' or the Doll's Pavilion, which exhibits numerous Indian and European sculptures and ceremonial objects. The Elephant gate, which is the main entrance to the palace building, is adorned with floral designs and the Mysore royal symbol depicting a double-headed eagle. Towards the north of the gate there are dolls on display, dating back to the earlier nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and also a wooden elephant carriage, decoarated with gold and other jewels.
The magnificent 'Kalyana Mandapa' or the marriage pavilion is located south of the elephant gate and it features a central octagonal gabled ceiling, covered by multi-colored stained glass with beautiful chandeliers from Czechoslovakia. Tall cast iron pillars, arranged in groups of three adorn the corners of the structure. The flooring is of glazed tiles and the walls leading to the Mandapa bear oil paintings depicting festival celebrations of the ancient kings.
The 'Diwan-I-am' Durbar Hall is situated on the second floor and has an ornate ceiling, a shining floor and many sculpted pillars. The paintings depicting the manifestations of Goddess Shakthi (strength), Scenes from the Epics, and an original painting of legendary painter Raja Ravi Verma – displayed here, are one of the tourist attractions of Mysore Palace.
The 'Ambavilas' or Diwan-e-khas is located on the same floor and decorated with carved doors bearing exquisite inlay works. This majestic hall sports beautiful stained glass ceilings supported by metallic beams. The ceiling and the walls are painted in beautiful colors.
The palace building is surrounded by twelve temples, some built in typical Dravidian style featuring a ‘gopuram’.
Mysore Palace in Karnataka is presently managed by the Department of Archaeology in Karnataka, and has been recently converted into a museum housing treasures from across the world. Visit the Mysore Palace museum and marvel at the paintings, portraits, jewelry, royal costumes and other royal belongings on display at the ground floor and a collection of weapons displayed on the upper floor. The 200kg gold royal throne of the Wodeyars - sculpted with splendid artworks - is displayed during Dussera Festival and it draws thousands of tourists to Mysore Palace in Karnataka. The palace remains illuminated with innumerable lights on Sunday nights and during the festive season of Dussera.
How To Reach
By Air - The nearest Airport is the Bangalore airport.
By Rail - Mysore is well-connected by trains to Bangalore which is in turn connected with major Indian cities through rail.
By Road - There are regular bus services from Bangalore to Mysore and Bangalore is well connected by roadways to other cities of Karnataka.
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