Here’s why Mysore palace should be on your travel bucket list
The Mysore palace is a stunning masterpiece that is by far the greatest architectural monument in all of South India. At night, the whole structure shines like a diamond. This palace turns more beautiful at night as the star-studded skyline in the background enhances the aesthetics of it. This majestic palace has been one of the most popular tourist destinations and a tour in Mysore is incomplete if you have not visited the Mysore palace. Here are a few interesting facts about the palace that makes it so amusing and famous.
Rich in history
Mysore Palace’s history spans for more than 500 years. The palace that we all see now is a modern version that was built rather recently but the original palace was built in the 14th century. It underwent a lot of renovation and restoration processes. This palace was built by the Mysore Maharajas called The Wodeyars. During different ruling periods, the kings in power have restructured the palace many times. Due to misfortune, the whole wood structure was engulfed by the fire and turned it into ashes. Finally, a British architect from the colonial era designed the modern Mysore palace that combined a range of architectural styles. It is a delicate blend of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic styles of architecture making it very rare and unique. From the palaces of Rajasthan, this one sets itself apart because of its unique architectural style. The following point will shed some light on it.
An architectural marvel
The Mysore palace is an amalgamation of different styles of architecture. It’s broadly described as an Indo-Saracenic architectural style which comprises individual forms namely Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic. The stone structure is a three-storeyed building with a 145 feet tall tower. The red marble domes adorn the building and enhance the whole look of the palace.
The Gombi Thotti or the Doll’s Pavilion is the main entrance to the palace. Through this pavilion is a charming, large garden open to the sky. Beyond this a royal marriage hall, the most amazing portion of the palace. This Kalyana Mandapam( Marriage Hall) is an embodiment of royalty. The corridors of the halls have intricately decorated pillars and big decadent chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. A host of festivities and ceremonies that had taken place in the bygone era have been depicted through oil paintings in this mandapam.
A regal Dussehra celebration
The whole Mysore Palace lights up during Dussehra, the most popular festival that is celebrated on a grand scale. It attracts a lot of local tourists and also people from other parts of the world. This is an age-old tradition that is carried on even to this day. A lot of parades and processions take place throughout the 10-day long festival. Dussera is the best time to visit this palace to get a deeper understanding of the culture and lifestyle of people. During this festival, the processions involve parades of beautifully decorated elephants which carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. There’s plenty of folklore dances and music bands performing. One of the major highlights of this festivity is the Dussera exhibition that takes place opposite the palace. The street is flooded with handicraft stores selling clothes, eatables and household items. The shopaholic in you will definitely rejoice in this opportunity. This kind of vacation makes a great way to bond with your constants.
The amazing light and sound show
Except for every Sunday and any public holiday, the palace organises a spectacular light and sound show depicting the royal history of the palace through an interesting narration. The show talks about how the royal family of Wodeyars built the palace from the ground up. Every tourist who visits this palace must not miss this show especially if you are travelling with children.
Timings: 7 PM to 7:45 PM
How to reach this destination
This palace is right in the heart of the beautiful Mysore city. There are plenty of travel options. If you are travelling by air, the nearest airport is the Banglore international airport which operates regular flights connecting to major parts of the country. One can also reach this destination through railways. Kaveri express and Shatabdi express runs between Mysore and Bangalore. From Bangalore, there are linking trains to major cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other cities as well. As the Mysore city is well connected by road, there are regular bus services from Bangalore as well as from other cities of the country.
The Mysore palace draws about 6 million tourists every year from around the country and the globe. Do not miss out on this architectural marvel while you’re in Mysore. Book your stay with us at Sterling for a blissful and memorable experience.