Mysore
Palace
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
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glass arranged in peacock designs in the domed ceilings
are the main attractions. Make sure you see the magnificent
jewel-studded golden throne, the pride of the Wodeyars and
the symbol of their sovereignty, displayed here during the
Dussehra 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.
Timings: 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Mysore Zoo
Established with 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 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Open daily, except on Tuesdays.
St. Philomena's Church
This imposing Gothic structure with beautiful stained
glass windows and lofty towers is a must-see. The church
was designed by French architects with the blessings of
Krishna Raja wodeyar IV.
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
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 Ravi Varma and
Roerich, as well as traditional Mysore gold leaf paintings.
Rail Museum
Located behind the railway station is the little-known
but impressive Rail Museum with its priceless locomotives,
coaches, and 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.
Folklore Museum
Located in the imposing Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion in the
Mysore University campus at 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.
Chamundi Hills
Perched atop a hill 13km outside Mysore city is the temple
of Chamundeshwari, the patron deity of the Wodeyars. The
4.8m tall monolith of Nandi and the gigantic Mahishasura
statue are added attractions. The hill lies at an altitude
of 3,489 ft and offers spectacular view of the Mysore
city.
Brindavan Gardens
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.
Rangayana:
Rangayana promotes various native art forms where they
have an open air theatre. They usually organize theater,
dance and other musical performances and considered to
be one of the cultural hubs of the city.
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