Amba Vilas is another name for the Mysore Palace or Mysuru Palace.
Synopsis
This article talks about the grandeur of Mysore Palace (MP) or Mysore Palace and its historical facts. It also gives information about visit timing, ticket charges, and other miscellaneous information.
Introduction
Mysore Palace: Second most visited tourist place in India
Mysore Palace (ಮೈಸೂರು ಅರಮನೆ) is the second most visited tourist attraction in India, next only to the Taj Mahal. An estimated 5,49,452 tourists visited MP in May of 2023, which is a record of sorts in recent times.
Mysore Palace: Second most beautiful Palace in the world
In 2021 the UK’s reputed firm www.money.co.uk did a study to determine which of the world’s palaces is the most beautiful.
They want to do a ranking of palaces using scientifically proven ways. To do this, they compared each palace’s dimensions to the golden ratio, a mathematical ratio that can be found in nature, architecture, and even music, that indicates a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition. www.Money.co.uk was then able to determine how close the palace’s dimensions are to the golden ratio – the smaller the percentage difference, the more statistically beautiful the Palace is.
www.Money.co.uk found that Mysuru Palace in India is the SECOND MOST SCIENTIFICALLY BEAUTIFUL out of all those analyzed in the world. The palace’s ratio of height to width is 1.690, which is just 4% different from the golden ratio proportions (1.618). Topkapi Palace – Turkey is the first on the list.
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Mysore Palace is among the world’s 31 must-see places
2011 survey reveals London’s Madame Tussauds attracts the highest number of tourists from across the world, while the majestic Mysore Palace ranks a close second in the list of the most-visited places on the globe.
When it comes to tourist drawing power, the New York Times recently listed Mysore Palace as one of the 31 must-see places on Earth.
And Tourists just liked it
Feedback from tourists from the UK, Spain, France, and other countries suggests that the Mysuru Palace has mesmerized them. Many wonder why Buckingham Palace has been considered magnificent for so long when the Mysuru Palace can boast of superior construction.
What makes Mysore Palace the 2nd most favorite place to visit?
It is the wholesome beauty in totality. Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace OR ಮೈಸೂರು ಅರಮನೆ, is one of the most magnificent and largest palaces in India. It used to be the official residence of the Wodeyar Dynasty, the rulers of the Mysuru kingdom from 1399 to 1950.
Magnificent architecture and breathtaking beauty
Mysore Palace was built in the Indo-Saracenic style with a touch of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic architectural styles. The three-storied palace along with a 145 feet five-storied tower was built using fine grey granite while deep pink marble was used for the domes.
Two durbar halls, numerous arches, canopies, columns, and bay windows enrich the exterior of this marvelous structure.
Opulent interiors adorn the palace with carved doors, stained glass ceilings, glittering glazed flooring tiles, spectacular Czechoslovakian chandeliers, and works of art from all over the world. All the rooms of the palace are stunningly luxurious and quite appealing.
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Adorned with Gajalakshmi – the goddess of wealth
Above the central arch, there is a divine sculpture of Gajalakshmi – the goddess of wealth with two elephants. In addition to the three entrances, located on the eastern, southern, and western sides, the palace features several secret tunnels. There is also a group of temples at the palace, built from the 14th to the 20th century.
What to see inside Mysore Palace?
There are many fascinating things to see. Each one of them testifies to the wealth and grandeur of the Kingdom of Mysore. The top things to see in Mysore Palace include the following
- The Gombe Thotti or Doll’s Pavilion, a collection of traditional dolls
- Golden Howdah, the Maharaja’s elephant seat made of 85 kilograms of gold.
- Kalyana Mantap or Marriage Pavilion, is an octagonal-shaped hall with a stained glass ceiling.
- Public Durbar Hall, a large hall from where the Maharajas used to address the public
- Ambavilasa has a beautifully designed hall that was used by the Maharajas for their private audience.
- Elephant Gate or Ane Bagilu, the brass gate that serves as the main entrance to the palace
- Paintings of Dasara Procession
- Portrait Gallery, a collection of valuable paintings and photographs of the Royal Family
- Casket Room containing royal collections
- Wrestling Courtyard
- Temples inside the palace
History of Mysore Palace or the Amba Vilas
The Wodeyars, the royal family of Mysore, originally constructed the palace in the 14th century. It is believed that Yaduraya Wodeyar, the first ruler of the Mysuru Kingdom, built a palace in Puragiri aka the Old Fort during his reign. This palace, which is believed to be the predecessor of the current palace, has been demolished and reconstructed multiple times over six centuries.
Initially, the palace was a wooden fortress that was struck by lightning in 1638 and reconstructed under the rein of Kantirava Narasa Raja Wodeyar. In 1793 AD, when Tipu Sultan took over the Wodeyar Dynasty, he demolished the palace and rebuilt it. In 1799, soon after the death of Tipu Sultan, the palace came under Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, who redesigned the palace as per the Hindu architectural style.
Sadly, in 1897, the palace was destroyed by fire during the wedding ceremony of Princess Jayalakshmmanni. Again, Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi and her son Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV decided to rebuild the palace.
The task of revamping the palace was commissioned to a British architect named Henry Irwin, who designed and completed this palace in 1912, at a whopping cost of over 41 lakh Indian rupees. Further expansions were done and a Public Durbar Hall wing was added to the palace under the reign of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar during the 1930s.
Other attractive things to see in and around the palace
Mysore Palace Light and Sound Show
The light and sound show held in the evenings is one of the prime attractions at Mysuru Palace. The entire show portrays the 600-year-old cultural heritage, history, and traditions of the Wodeyar Dynasty in a visually appealing manner.
Duration: 45 minutes
SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW (SON ET LUMIERE) AT THE MYSORE PALACE
Show Timings:
- Kannada Language Show:
- Monday to Wednesday: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:15 PM to 9:15 PM
- English Language Show:
- Thursday to Saturday: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices:
- Kannada Language Show:
- Adults: Rs. 100 per ticket
- Children: Rs. 40 per ticket
- English Language Show:
- Adults: Rs. 120 per ticket
- Children: Rs. 50 per ticket
Additional Information:
- Duration: 45 minutes, depicting 400 years of Mysuru’s history.
- No shows on Sundays and government holidays.
- Tickets are issued only at Varaha Gate Counter (South Side) from 6:30 PM onwards.
- At the end of the Sound and Light Program Show, enjoy a 15-minute Palace Illumination.
Mysore Palace Illumination
They light up Mysore Palace in the evening on Sundays and public holidays, as well as during the ten days of Dasara celebrations. During weekdays, you can enjoy the illumination after the light and sound show for five minutes.
They use 97,000 electric LED bulbs to illuminate the palace, making it a sight to behold.
Mysore Palace Illumination Timings:
Sundays, public holidays, and during Dasara – 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm
Weekdays – 7:40 pm to 7:45 pm
Tickets: Not required to explore the exteriors & the Mysore Palace premises.
Mysuru Palace Timings & Entrance Fees
PALACE ENTRANCE TIMINGS:
- Everyday: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Entrance Gates:
- South Side: Entrance from Varaha and Amba Vilas Gates
- North Side: Entrance from Jayarama Balarama Gate
Ticket Information:
- Tickets Issued: Between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM
- Ticket Prices:
- Indian Adults: Rs. 100 per person
- Children (Ages 10 to 18): Rs. 50 per person
- Foreign Tourists: Rs. 200 per person
Location: Mysore Palace is located in the center of the city just adjacent to the city bus stand. KR Circle & Chamarajendra Circle are the other two prominent landmarks located close to it. Railway station is 2.5 KM away and city buses are available with good frequency to reach the Palace.
Visitor Facilities at the Palace:
- Free Amenities:
- BSNL Wifi: Free Wifi is available for tourists.
- Footwear Stand: A free stand is provided for visitors to place their footwear.
- Hygienic Toilets: Clean and well-maintained toilets are available.
- Drinking Water: Access to drinking water is provided.
- Parking: Parking facilities are available for vehicles at Varaha Gate and Ambavilas Gate.
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