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Expert Tips to Visit Mysore Palace : Guide from Local Expert
When people hear “Mysore,” they think of the grand “Mysore Palace.”
This iconic structure dominates the skyline with its central red dome, intricate facade, arches, columns, windows, balconies, jharokhas, and garden. No wonder it is one of the top 5 most visited monuments in India by foreigners.
So, what makes everyone visit Mysore Palace? Is it really that beautiful?
I’ve visited the palace three times out of my ten trips to Mysore. (Yes, I’m a Mysore-obsessed girl who escapes there whenever I need a break).
During these visits, I initially felt disappointed, then curious, and finally, I spent a soulful time there and understood the hype about Mysore palace.
I also realized why some might feel disappointed at first. Exploring Mysore Palace isn’t rocket science, but there are better ways to fully experience it.
This post is all about how to visit Mysore Palace, what to see inside the palace, when to go and what not to do.
Mysore Palace History
When you read the history of Mysore Palace, it truly feels tragic. The palace that stands today isn’t the first structure built on this site?in fact, it is the fourth one! All previous palaces were made entirely of wood and were completely destroyed.
The current Mysore palace, officially known as “Amba Vilas Palace” began construction in 1897 and was completed in 1912 under the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
One common factor among all the palaces is their belonging to the royal family, the kings of Mysore, known as the “Wadiyar” or “Wodeyar.”
Who are Wadiyars and what is their connection to Mysore?
The Mysore Kingdom was established by Vijaya in 1399, transforming Mysuru from a small town into a kingdom. He and his successors, the Wodeyars, ruled Mysore as feudal lords under the Vijayanagara Empire (Hampi kings) until it fell in 1565.
After the ruthless Battle of Talikota in 1565, where Hampi was completely destroyed by Deccan Islamic rulers, Raja Wadiyar, who was ruling Mysore, seized the opportunity, declared independence, and established the independent Mysore Kingdom.
Initially, Srirangapatna, a gorgeous small town just 25 km from Mysore on the banks of the river Kaveri, used to be the Wadiyar kingdom’s capital until they moved it to Mysore.
The Wodeyars ruled until India’s independence in 1947, with Mysore becoming part of the Indian Republic.
Who owns Mysore Palace now?
The Mysore Palace is owned by the Wadiyar royal family, but its management and maintenance are handled by the Government of Karnataka. Revenue from tourist fees is intended to be shared between the government and the royal family.
Does the royal family live in Mysore Palace?
Yes, the royal family resides in Mysore Palace. The current head, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, lives in a private section with his family. This area is not open to the public and has exclusive access for the royal family and its members.
Importance of Mysore Palace
Apart from being an iconic example of Indo-Saracenic architecture and showcasing the rich legacy of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore Palace is also the place where the annual Dasara festival takes place.
This vibrant ten-day event is religiously significant to the people of Karnataka and attracts thousands of tourists from around the globe.
Mysore Maharaja Palace is truly beyond a mere museum, with its impressive collection of royal dresses, jewellery, paintings, and weapons.
Other Palaces in Mysore
Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion: Constructed in 1905, it currently serves as a museum for folklore and is owned by the University of Mysore. Open for visitors.
Jaganmohan Palace: Built in 1861, it is currently used as an art gallery and is owned by the Mysore royal family. Best place to view Ravi Varma and Haldankar painting marvels.
Rajendra Vilas Palace: Constructed in the early 1900s at Chamundi hills, it served as a summer retreat, now a private property owned by the royal family with restricted public access. Not open to public
Karanji Mansion: Built between 1902 and 1914, it is now the Postal Training Centre, previously owned by the royal family and later sold to the postal department. Not open to public
Cheluvamba Mansion: Built for Princess Cheluvajammanni by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, it currently houses the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) with restricted public access.
Lalitha Mahal Palace: Built in 1921 for the Viceroy of India, it is now a heritage hotel operated by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). You can stay here or dine here.
Mysore Palace Entry Fees
- 50 Rs per person for Adults (Audio Kit Facility for Indians with additional cost.
- 20 Rs per person for Children (10-18 Yrs)
- 10 rs per person for Students (Letter from School is Required)
- 200 rs per person for Foreign Tourists (Audio Kit Included)
Which gate to use to enter Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace has 7 entrances, with the main visitor entrance at “Varaha Gate” in the south, where you can buy tickets. You need to deposit your footwear and also DSLR cameras here.
You enter Mysore Palace through the South Gate. Exploring starts here and ends at the Eastern part, where you’ll find the beautiful public Durbar Hall.
From the eastern grounds, enjoy views of the palace’s eastern facade. Walk through the gardens, return to the South Gate to collect your footwear and cameras, and then exit.
If arriving by private vehicle, you can park at the South, East, or North Gate and then walk to the ticket counter near the southern gate.
Parking for cars costs around 50 Rs per hour. Note that parking fills up quickly during public holidays and long weekends due to the influx of tour buses, tempo vans, and cars.
Can you visit the Mysore Palace without prior booking
Surely, you can visit Mysore palace without booking or any organised tour. The tickets are always about South gate entrance Varaha.
How to Book Mysore Palace tickets Online
You can book tickets on the official Mysore Palace website, although it may not always be functional.
Mysore Palace Timings
Mysore Palace is open for visitors from 10 AM to 5:30 PM every day of the year, with the last entry ticket sold at 4:30 PM. It’s best to arrive at Varaha Gate by 9:30 AM on public holidays to avoid long lines.
What to see in Mysore Palace
In Mysore Palace, you can explore ceremonial halls, the wrestling court, numerous temples, painting and armoury galleries, and the stunning Golden Howdah AKA Ambari.
There are about 340 rooms in Mysore Palace and not everything is open to public.
Note that the West Gate leads to the private residential quarters, which are usually off-limits but occasionally open as a museum.
Architectural details of Mysore Palace
Today’s Mysore Palace, built in 1912 and designed by Henry Irwin, is a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
“Indo” refers to the traditional architectural style of the Indian subcontinent, while “Saracenic” refers to a style of architecture that originated from the Islamic cultures of the Middle East, particularly those under Arab influence.
This style is characterised by features such as horseshoe arches, domes, intricate tile work, and ornate geometric and floral designs.
What you see in Mysore Palace is a blend of Muslim (Saracenic), Indian styles from Rajput, and a touch of European Gothic as well. Don’t be surprised if some corners of the palace remind you of palaces in Belgium or France.
The stunning façade includes seven large arches and a sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Inside, the palace boasts beautifully carved doors, expansive pavilions, chandeliers, stained glass ceilings, and frescoes from Indian epics.
Don’t forget to observe the silver door or the ivory inlay work on the teak wood doors when inside.
The palace also features dozens of bronze and marble sculptures.
Gombe Thotti (Doll’s Pavilion)
The Gombe Thotti was originally designed to display dolls during Dasara, a tradition from Vijayanagar times. This area, once open to the public during Dasara, now houses European marble sculptures and art objects from the Maharaja’s personal collection, mostly from the 1920s.
My favourite part of Gombe Thotti is the Rajasthani mirror-work pavilion with Ganesha playing the veena. It is colourful, charming, and divine.
Portrait Gallery
A part of the corridors in Mysore Palace has been converted into a portrait gallery. Don’t expect old black-and-white boring photographs of the royal family. It features hand-painted giant (some life-size) portraits of Wadiyar family, their friends and even some British officials by India’s greatest painter, Raja Ravi Varma.
This portrait gallery is a perfect place to understand how simply the queens of the royal family used to dress. Usually draped in colourful silk sarees of 9 Gaja (8.23m), which are longer than the usual length of 6m, they had beautiful, plentiful pleats.
Their jewellery, with the Gandaberunda theme, often included at least one emerald necklace and neatly designed stylish watches. You can truly appreciate the traditional Indian royal women’s dressing style here.
Wrestling courtyard
One of the most gorgeous places in Mysore Palace is the Wrestler’s Courtyard. The kings of Mysuru were avid patrons of wrestling, particularly supporting a class of wrestlers known as “Jetties.” This courtyard is where they practiced and held competitions.
The courtyard is surrounded by a two-tiered façade featuring arches adorned with intricate floral and geometric patterns.
The upper tier has stained glass windows where queens would watch the wrestlers compete, while the lower tier has open windows.
A highly ornate spiral staircase made of wrought iron connects the courtyard to the upper floor. Beside this staircase are two bronze tiger statues.
Of the eight bronze tigers in the palace, these two in the courtyard are epic. I spent at least 15 minutes admiring the details of the angry tigers?their muscles stretching and frowning faces are scarily beautiful.
The detailing on their paws clutching the floor makes them seem ready to pounce at any moment.
Although you can’t enter the courtyard as a commoner, you can imagine how traditional “Kusthi” or “Malla Yuddha” wrestlers used to practice here during the king’s time.
Wall Paintings
The walk in the corridor to Kalyana Mantapa, with the Wrestler’s Courtyard on one side and locked private rooms on the other, is the most colourful walk you would have inside Mysore Palace because you pass by gorgeous paintings of old Mysore streets
Between 1934 and 1945, the Wodeyars hired five top artists in Karnataka to paint the Dasara Procession’s splendor. They created 26 panels based on real photographs, showing white oxen in red and green cloaks with the royal insignia, crowds lining the streets, and the procession passing by St. Philomena’s Cathedral.
The floor tiles with colourful Belgium tiles draw your attention. The ceiling with arches makes you go wow. And the wall paintings opposite the Wrestler’s Courtyard are stunning.
Kalyana Mantapa (Marriage Hall)
Want to know where Mysore kings celebrated weddings and other family functions? Then head to Kalyana Mantapa inside Mysore Palace. Kalyana Mantapa (Marriage Hall) is an octagonal, double-height hall with a dome supported by cast iron pillars.
It features a stained-glass ceiling with peacock motifs and floral designs, crafted by Mysuru artists and some made in Glasgow.
A gigantic chandelier hangs in the centre – like the grandeur brought from heaven.
The hall displays paintings of the Dasara procession and other events like Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV’s birthday, Durga Pooja, Chamundeshwari’s car festival, and Krishna Janmashtami.
Although it isn’t allowed for anyone else to use this as a wedding venue, I did dream of my wedding here. Obviously, the present king of the Mysore royal family, Yaduveera, married Queen Trishika at this very venue.
Amba Vilas (Diwan-e-Khas or Private Durbar Hall)
The private Durbar Hall, also known as Amba Vilas, is where the king and his closest advisers would meet. This beautifully decorated hall features harmonious colours, with blue and gold accents.
The golden howdah, used by the king, is displayed here during Dasara.
The ceilings in the corridor around the atrium are carved from teak. The floor between each hollow cast-iron pillar is marble inlaid with semi-precious gems in floral patterns by craftsmen from Agra. The room also has glass windows and plaster of Paris
On one of my three visits, I went to Mysore Palace 15 days before Dasara. The Diwan-e-Khas was being prepared for the Dasara ceremonies. They had placed the howdah there and covered it with opaque barricades under high security.
Public Durbar Hall
The last place you visit while exploring inside Mysore Palace is the Durbar Public Hall, the most beautiful part of the palace.
This grand reception hall served as the public audience hall where the Maharaja addressed the people and held celebrations. It opens to a huge ground.
The hall is adorned with arched columns painted in cyan with hints of yellow and gold. Perhaps this is the most photographed part of Mysore Palace, so you’ll find selfie stick and social media tourists here more than elsewhere.
Sajje or Dasara Hall, measuring 42.75 m x 12.70 m on the first floor, is reached by a broad stone staircase. This hall is traversed by granite pillars and roofed with a fine stucco ceiling in a variety of designs.
The rear walls of this large pillared hall contain an oil painting of Sita Swayamvara by the celebrated royal artist from Kerala, Raja Ravi Varma. The hall is also adorned with pictures of Goddess Devi in eight forms.
But don’t worry, you won’t be shoved in the crowd. The hall is a huge 5,300 square feet, providing plenty of space for everyone. Instagrammers will stay for a few minutes, but you can spend more time and grasp the beauty longer.
Temples in Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace complex houses about eight temples.
Although you do not need to visit each of them, it is always good to check out at least one or two to see the architectural marvels of typical South Indian temple architecture and understand these temples’ significance in the lives of the Mysore kings.
The two most beautiful and important temples within Mysore Palace are:
- Sri Lakshmiramana Swami Temple: The oldest temple in Mysore, it hosted the coronation ceremonies for Raja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1799, highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
- Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple: Located by the south gate, it showcases the architectural brilliance of the Hoysala Empire, making it a standout example of the region’s rich architectural heritage.
Mysore Palace Lighting
No thoughts on how grand and gorgeous the inside of Mysore Palace are. But you know what beats everything? The Mysore palace lit up with 100,000 bulbs at night on Sundays between 7 to 7.45 PM
Seeing this illumination comes at no cost. You can enter through the south gate and watch or circle around Mysore Palace admiring the beauty. Or do both. While seeing the palace after it is completely lit is great, being there early at 6:45 or 6:50 to witness the entire palace glowing at once is a magical experience.
Mysore Palace Illumination Timings
The Mysore Palace illumination takes place on all national holidays and Sundays from 7 to 7-45PM. On the other days, there is a laser light show from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM. During the Mysore Dasara festival (Dussehra), the illumination happens every day for extended hours.
Note that the lighting will be cancelled if the state declares mourning due to events like the demise of important personalities.
Photography Rules and Restrictions
Photography without flash using phone camera is allowed inside Mysore Palace.
Photography with DSLR cameras and phone flash is a big no. Photographing the golden throne and the king’s armoury museum is strictly prohibited.
You may see signboards in different parts of the palace stating photography is prohibited where there are paintings or sensitive items. So, don’t take photos there?guards and CCTV are watching you everywhere.
Getting to Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace is easily accessible by various modes of transport. It is located in the heart of Mysore city, about 2 km from the Mysore Railway Station and 12 km from the Mysore Airport.
Auto-rickshaws, Uber taxis, and buses are readily available. For those driving, ample parking is available near the palace entrance gate in South, North and East.
Mysore airport is a domestic airport and has limited number of flights in and out. So it is bets to land in Bangalore Airport and then take flybus directly from Bangalore airport to Mysore city
Best Time to Visit Mysore Palace
The best time to visit Mysore Palace is in the morning, as soon as it opens at 10 am when the crowd is less.
Can you visit Mysore Palace during Dasara festival?
The palace remains open to the public during Dasara, but it isn’t a good time to visit. Three-fourths of the main attractions, like Kalyana Mantapa and the Public Hall, remain closed.
The palace is continuously occupied by the royal family performing rituals. The courtyards and beautiful lawns outside the palace are covered with temporary constructions, and the place becomes extremely crowded.
Tips for Visitors
How much time is needed for Mysore Mysore Palace?
You need a minimum of 3 hours to explore major parts of Mysore Palace, including spending some time in the courtyards. Anything less than that feels rushed. During my first visit to the palace, we were hurried by our guide to see everything within 1.5 hours, and it felt pointless.
Where to stay near Mysore Palace
Luxury hotel Royal Orchid Metropole, Budget Hotel Siddhartha, and Roambay Hostel are some of the best accommodation options for travellers near Mysore Palace.
If you want to know more on where to stay in Mysore, I got you covered in a detailed post.
Do you need a guide to explore Mysore Palace?
You don’t need to hire a guide to visit Mysore Palace and its interiors, as audio guides are available for both Indians and foreigners in many languages, including Kannada, English, Hindi, German, Italian, Japanese, French, and Spanish.
While the audio guides are included in the foreigners’ entry ticket costing 200 Rs, Indians can purchase the audio guide for an additional 150 Rs when buying their entry tickets.
Dress Code and Etiquette
There is no particular dress code to follow when visiting Mysore Palace. However, dressing modestly, as you would do anywhere in India, is better because you may visit many temples inside the palace.
Nobody is allowed to walk inside Mysore Palace wearing footwear. So you need to remove your footwear and keep it in the stand near the entrance,
Facilities Available
Mysore Palace offers several facilities for visitors, including free wheelchair access and a stand for footwear. There are hygienic toilet facilities inside the complex.
There are only a few small shops selling packed snacks and cold drinks. You need to go outside of Mysore Palace complex to have food – There are plenty of good and cheap eateries around the palace.
Parking for vehicles is provided at South, East and North Gate.
Additional amenities include a health kiosk, baby care centre, and a first aid kit.
There is also a government-run handicraft shop, Cauvery Emporium, though it is known to be quite expensive.
Can you stay in Mysore Palace?
No, you cannot stay in Mysore Palace as it is still the residence of the Wodeyar royal family, with only a private section occupied by them. Visitors can explore public areas during the day.
For a palace-like stay, consider the nearby Lalitha Mahal Palace, which has been converted into a heritage hotel
Places to visit near Mysore Palace
Places to visit near Mysore Palace include Jaganmohan Palace for its art galleries, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion for folklore exhibits, and Lalitha Mahal Palace for a heritage hotel experience. Also, explore the bustling Devaraja Market on Sayyaji Rao Road for local shopping.
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