Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
Mysore owes its name to the mythical Mahisuru, a place where the demon Mahisasura
was slain by the goddess Chamundi. Its regal history began in 1399, when the Wodeyar
dynasty of Mysore was founded, though they remained in service of the Vijayanagar em-
pire until the mid-16th century. With the fall of Vijayanagar in 1565, the Wodeyars de-
clared their sovereignty, which - save a brief period of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan's su-
premacy in the late 18th century - remained unscathed until 1947.
Sights
Mysore Palace
MAP
PALACE
GOOGLE MAP
(Maharaja's Palace;
www.mysorepalace.tv
; Indian/foreigner ?40/200, children under 10 free, Sound & Light show adult/
child ?40/25; 10am-5.30pm)
Among the grandest of India's royal buildings, this fantastic
palace was the former seat of the Wodeyar maharajas. The old palace was gutted by fire in
1897; the one you see now was completed in 1912 by English architect Henry Irwin at a
cost of Rs4.5 million. (See also the illustration,
Click here
.
)
The interior of this Indo-Saracenic marvel - a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors
and gaudy colours - is undoubtedly over the top. The decor is further embellished by
carved wooden doors, mosaic floors and a series of paintings depicting life in Mysore dur-
ing the Edwardian Raj. The way into the palace takes you past a fine collection of sculp-
tures and artefacts. Don't forget to check out the armoury, with an intriguing collection of
700-plus weapons.
Every weekend, on national holidays, and through the Dasara (Duesshera) celebrations,
the palace is illuminated by nearly 100,000 light bulbs that accent its majestic profile
against the night.
Entrance to the palace grounds is at the South Gate on Purandara Dasa Rd. While you
are allowed to snap the palace's exterior, photography within is strictly prohibited. Camer-
as must be deposited in lockers at the palace entrance.
Also available within the compound is a multilingual guided audiotour of the palace,
the price of which is included in the foreigners' ticket.
