Day 01
Explore the Grandeur of Mysore Palace
- Mysore is a city with a rich history and stunning palaces, monuments, temples, mosques, and churches. However, the crown jewel of the city is the Mysore Palace. Constructed between 1897 and 1912, the palace was built on 11 acres of land and is divided into ceremonial and residential parts. The ceremonial part is open to the public, while the residential part is occupied by the royal family.
- This tour starts from the South Gate of the palace, also known as the Varaha Gate. As you look around, you will observe the palace's stunning architecture, which is a blend of Mughal, Indo-Saracenic, Rajasthani, and Gothic styles.
- Upon entering the palace, you will see two ceremonial halls: the Dolls Pavilion and the Marriage Pavilion. The Dolls Pavilion is used for displaying dolls during the Dusshera festival, while the Marriage Pavilion, also known as Kalyana Mantapa, features walls depicting the Dusshera festival through numerous old paintings made by celebrated palace artists of Mysore.
- Next, head to the furniture room, which has some interesting and exquisite objects on display, including two silver chairs and the royal insignia. Other objects you will find in the room are cut-glass and crystal chairs from Belgium, marble flower vases, decorative dressing tables with mirrors from Venice, and a painting of the Maharaja and his kin seated on a golden howdah mounted on a decorated elephant.
- Then, head to the third ceremonial hall, called the Public Durbar Hall, the most inspiring of all. Here, the Maharaja used to hold the Ceremonial Darbar during Dussehra and other special occasions.
- Finally, walk through the rosewood doorway with ivory inlay work into the hall with two beautiful, huge silver doors, where you will see the Private Durbar Hall.
