Welcome to Mysore Palace
Welcome to the Royal Splendour of Mysore, the home of the Wodyers who ruled Mysore for more than 500 years, known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm, that never fails to enchant. Mysore is a popular tourist destination, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendour of Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots. The royal lineage can be traced back to 1399, when Yaduraya, a royal prince of the Yadava dynasty, was on a pilgrimage visit to Chamundi Temple with his brother Vijaya,. They took shelter in the Kodi Bhairava temple on the banks of Doddakere, the ‘Big Lake’. There they came to learn that the local royal family was in grave danger. Their ruler had just died, and Maranayaka, a neighboring chief, was threatening the queen. He wanted her daughter’s hand in marriage. The queen and the princess were in very vulnerable position. With the help of Jangama (Wodeyar) killed Maranayaka and married the daughter of Chamaraja and succeeded to the Mysore principality. And so the Wodyer dynasty was established – a succession of 24 kings who ruled until 1947, when Mysore became part of the Indian Union. The Wodeyars were great patrons of the arts, and the finest craftsmen in the state were employed to work on the Palaces. Wodeyars period was a new era of prose literature as an independent literary medium and it was in other words a prose writing in the form of the history of the Mysore rulers. Chamaraja Wodeyar encouraged Kannada scholars like Ramachandra, author of Hayasaara Samuchchaya.
Old Mysore Palace:
It was the seat of Power for Krishna Raja Wodeyar the third who ruled from 1799 until 1868. The design, typical of Hindu architecture, uses a simple column-and-beam structure. The columns however, were elaborately carved in the style commonly found in Mughal, or Persian, courts. The ground floor an open common space, was where the family members could move freely. It is sometimes referred to as the children’s gallery, perhaps because this is where they could run around and play.
The first floor was the Durbar, the grand reception hall – place where the king would conduct his business of the day, receive guests of state and entertain dignitaries. It is the venue where where major celebration would occur. According to a report documented in the Mysore Gazette, the hall was 65 square feet and had a raised centre in the ceiling. Apart from the floors which were a mix of plaster and mortar, the entire palace was made from wood. In 1897, during wedding celebrations of Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani, a fire in the kitchen blazed out of control, and the palace was almost completely destroyed. Only the temple of Atmavilas Ganapthi was left standing, and this was incorporated in the new building. Queen Vanivilasa Sannidhana, who was then the regent, wasted no time in commissioning a new palace to be built on the foundations of the old. No expense was spared in installing whatever was necessary, to make it fireproof, she wanted to ensure that this palace would last, and so it has.Hallway_of_Doors:
Ancient shrines dedicated to Ganesha, it is said that when the fire broke out and destroyed the wooden palace in 1897, this shrine was not affected and remained intact. IT has been integrated into the reconstructed Palace and entered through a beautiful rosewood doorway with ivory inlay work from the corridor linking the main durbar hall with Ambavilasa. There is also a separate entrance from the car passage through a spiral staircase. The image of Ganesha, according to tradition, is made of stucco and consisting of 450 Saligramas (Sacred Black Stones), brought from 300 sacred Kshetras (spots). The majestic huge Ganesha is painted and is still under worship. Its still used by the descendants of the royal family.
Goddess Chamundi:
Commonly known as Durga, Goddess Chamundeshwari the is personal deity of the Mysore royal family, protector of Mysore City. Chamundi rides a lion and in her powerful hands she holds a trident. She’s mother goddess and a fierce protector.
Painting of Dasara Procession:
Top of a elephant is a signalman carrying a red flag. At the points of offering to the King the crowd stands patiently waiting for their king. Men in crowd wear the traditional salwar kameez – loose trousers with long tunics, but there’s a difference. On the left of the shrine wear turbans and right were fezzes. Everyone regardless of religion participated in Dasara and paying tribute to the King. People shown in this series of paintings are real.
Elephant Gate:
This ground has 5 entry points, brass gate of ornate is the main doorway to the palace. The gate faces east and is known as Ane Bagilu or Elephant Gate.
All ceremonial processions began outside this gate amidst a kaleidoscope of color and the swirling sounds of marching bands, regiments of soldiers, decorated animals, garlands of flowers, heraldic flags and sacred umbrellas, the king riding in his gold howdah atop elephant would travel through this corridor and head on into town.
The royal family’s coat of arms is skillfully interwoven into the delicate foliage on both the gates. Two lions with elephant heads flank a heraldic crest containing a double-headed eagle – the lion symbolizing power and royalty, and the elephant strength. The Sanskrit motto reads SATYAMEVODDHARAMYAHAM, means “I uphold only the truth” Ghadaberunda, the double headed eagle sits regally on top of both gates. Emblem of Mysore Royal Family.
Royal Furniture of Mysore Palace:
Temple craftsmen also Gudigars were employed by Kings of Karnataka dynasties for generations. All furniture housed in formal areas of the Palace where visiting dignitaries were entertained. Silver 2 large chairs resemble thrones. Royal coat of arms moulded on back and silver lions from the armrests. Lion being symbol of power and royalty. In this room there you can find your distorted image on fun-house mirror which was undoubtedly a source of great entertainment in its day.
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