Thursday, October 17, 2013

Amba Vilas Palace, Mysore

There are several palaces at Mysore and most famous among them is Amba Vilas Palace. It is popularly known as Mysore Palace. When in city people never fail to visit this prominent tourist attraction.


This palace here is within the old fort area and it is the official residence of Wodeyars, who ruled the place for over seven centuries. This palace was built for the first time in the 14th century. In the year 1638 the original wooden palace got damaged by a lightning strike. It was repaired and extended later. 


The palace is surrounded by a large garden. The architectural style of the palace follows Indo-Saracenic, and blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. 


It is a three-storied stone building of fine gray granite with deep pink marble domes that was designed by Henry Irwin. The facade has seven expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which are supported by tall pillars. 


Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of the goddess of wealth, prosperity Gajalakshmi, with her elephants on either side.


The interior of Mysore Palace is richly carved, intricate, colorful and architecturally thrilling. The palace has several elegant and impressive rooms.


One enters the palace through Doll’s Pavilion where a traditional dolls from the 19th and early 20th centuries are on display. Private Durbar was used by the king for private audience and is one of the most spectacular rooms. 


Kalyana Mantapa a Octagonal shaped hall where all royal weddings, birthdays and ceremonial functions were celebrated. In this room there are 26 paintings that depict Dasara procession. In Public Durbar Hall the King would host major ceremonial gatherings in this hall. It has cool marble floor, through colonnades of cusped arches supported by intricate and elaborately painted columns. 


Although tourists are allowed to visit the palace, they are not allowed to take photographs inside the palace. 

42 comments:

Cloudia said...

Thrilling YES!


ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Fantastic pictures

Teamgsquare said...

Lovely pictures and wonderful narration.

Our photos said...

Beautiful palace photos!
Greetings, RW & SK

Ramakrishnan said...

Only one word to describe this palace - Magnificent.

kalpana solsi said...

The grandeur of the palace reflects on the era that the kings lived.

Leora said...

That is quite a palace. I do some Gothic architectural influence.

Nasreen said...

Really it's an awesome palace...

Uma Anandane said...

Great images! The first one is so good to look at. Keep capturing and sharing more :)

Lowell said...

This is incredible! I wonder how many people lived here at one time. It's gorgeous and huge!

P.N. Subramanian said...

Really a huge one. I did visit Mysore but there was no time left to visit the palace.

theconstantwalker said...

What a stunning building... amazing.

Carver said...

That's a spectacular palace.

Steffi said...

Fantastic photos ,Rajesh!Have a nice weekend.

Laura said...

beautiful, beautiful architecture, wow!

Sylvia K said...

A fantastic palace, Rajesh, and your captures are superb!! Wonderful, peaceful skies!! Hope you and your family have a great weekend!

forgetmenot said...

What a magnificent building!!!! Amazing architecture. Have a great weekend. Mickie :)

genie said...

This is definitely a palace. What a gorgeous place in which to live. Your country is filled with beautiful scenery and memorable temples and other buildings. genie

Jim said...

Amazing architecture.

Photo Cache said...

beautiful. i wonder why photography is not allowed inside.

Janice said...

Looks as if you captured a few through a cover on the camera?

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow! How ornate and stunning!

Anonymous said...

Interesting.

Leovi said...

Yes , delicious photos , I like this wonderful palace!

DeniseinVA said...

Magnificent palace and wonderful photos. I also enjoyed reading about its history. Thank you so much!

Sridharan said...

I don't mind visiting this place any number of times..!

Anonymous said...

wonderful photography of another beautiful place in your country ~ thanks, carol

Anonymous said...

An very elegant palace.

Anonymous said...

What a palace!

Amazing wonders in my life said...

Wonderful.... Mysore is my all time fav place to visit

Viera said...

incredible beautiful architecture...colossal..

Jojo said...

I've been so inspired by all of your posts. India has been on my travel list for a long time and seeing your photos has encouraged me to finally buy a ticket. Finally I will be going to India! Now the problem is to figure out what I want to see during my trip. There is too much to see!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

An amazing Palace...those beautiful red domes are fantastic.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all.

Jojo: You are very right, there is little time and so much to see. But if you focus on what exactly one want to see like nature, forts and palaces, temples one can plan accordingly.

RNSANE said...

FINALLY, one of your posts that I have seen. When I spent five days with Shiju Sugunan and his family year before last, he drove me down to Mysore!!! How I loved going down to south India. It was so nice seeing all the rice paddies and visiting Mysore Palace and that incredible temple at Kesava.

My post today is about the colorful Jaipur puppets.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Now that is truly stunning!! YAM xx

Anonymous said...

So striking in it's size! Thanks so, Rajesh, for sharing more beautiful images or your country.

Janice said...

Rajesh, I think my Google account may have a problem. I did not leave the comment about taking pictures through a cover. I think these photos are beautiful and give so much info.
Janice.

K.A. Acharya said...

What a majestic palace!

Balaka Basu said...

I have not yet been to Karnataka. It is high time I start exploring this place.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots !

Priyashi said...

WOW ! Beautiful clicks....:)