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What To See |
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 Built in Indo-Saracenic style, with
domes, turrets, arches and colonnades,
the palace is a treasure house of
exquisite carvings and works of art
from all over the world. Known as
Amba Vilas Palace, it was designed by
Henry Irwin, the British consultant
architect of Madras State, and
completed in 1912 on the site of the
old wooden palace that was destroyed
by fire in 1897.
The majestic Durbar Hall with its
ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars,
and the Marriage Pavilion with its
chandeliers, cast-iron pillars, and
Belgian stained glass arranged in
peacock designs on the domed
ceilings, are the main attractions. Make
sure you see the magnificent jewel-studded
golden throne, the pride of
the Wadiyars and the symbol of their
sovereignty, displayed here during the
Dasara festival in October.
A row of souvenir shops leads to the
Residential Museum, which houses
musical instruments, Tanjore and
Mysore paintings, and an array
of personal effects belonging to
the Maharaja’s family. The palace,
illuminated on Sundays and public
holidays, presents a spectacle of
breathtaking beauty. |
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Also known as the Sri Chamarajendra
Zoological Gardens, it was established
under royal patronage in the 19th
century. The zoo’s collection of fauna
includes rare and exotic species
housed in lush green environs.
Timings: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Open daily, except on Tuesdays |
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 Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV laid the
foundation for this Catholic Church
in 1933 which resembles the Cologne
Cathedral. This imposing Gothic
structure with beautiful stained glass
windows and lofty towers is a must see.
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| Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery |
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The art gallery in the Jaganmohan
Palace houses an excellent collection
of ceramics, sandalwood, ivory, stone, antique furniture, and ancient musical
instruments. You can also gaze at
paintings by reputed artists like Raja
Ravi Varma and Roerich, as well as
traditional Mysore gold leaf paintings. |
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 Located behind the railway station
is the little-known but impressive
Rail Museum with its priceless
locomotives, coaches, collection of
paintings and photographs narrating
the “Rail Story”. The prize exhibit of
the museum is the Maharani’s Saloon
built in the U.K.
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Located in the imposing Jayalakshmi
Vilas Mansion in the Mysore
University campus in Manasagangotri,
the Folklore Museum is an impressive
repository of folk culture. With
6500 folklore articles on display, the
museum is acclaimed to be one of the
biggest of its kind in Asia. |
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 Perched atop a hill 13km outside
Mysore City is the temple of Goddess
Chamundeshwari, the patron deity
of the Wadiyars. The 4.8m tall
monolith of Nandi, enroute, and
the gigantic Mahishasura statue are
added attractions.
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Mysore Urban Haat designed on the
lines of Dilli Haat, is promoted by JSS
Mahavidyapeetha with assistance from
the Union Textiles Ministry and the
Karnataka Industries & Commerce
Department. Its aim has been to develop
a Tourist and Marketing Centre. An
Export Guidance and Counselling Cell
has been set up to identify importers
and gain international exposure. The
organization also conducts the annual
Crafts Bazaar, through which it invites
over 150 artisans from all across the
country to display their products, a
truly innovative approach to reach
international tourists while capturing
local interest. |
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 Visit the famous gardens at the
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam after sundown,
when musical fountains and coloured
lights transform this place into a
magical fairyland.
Best Season: September to May
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