Mysore Palace, Mysore - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

About Mysore Palace

At a distance of 2.5 km from the Mysore Railway Station & 2 km from KSRTC Bus Station, the Mysore Palace was the official residence of the former royal family of Mysore, and also housed the durbar. It is one of the largest palaces in India, and among the best tourist places to visit in Mysore.

History of Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace is the venue for the famous Mysore Dasara and it is often used to promote Mysore Tourism. It is one of the top attractions you must include in Mysore Packages. The Mysore Palace was built-in 1912 after a fire burnt down the old wooden palace. It was built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and was further expanded by his son Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. The palace was designed by British architect Henry Irwin.

Architecture of Mysore Palace

The architectural style of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic and blends Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. It is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden. The facade has seven expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which is supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of Goddess Gajalakshmi with her elephants. Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. The palace has three entrances, the East Gate, the South Entrance, and the West Entrance. The entrance to the Mysore Palace is through the Gombe Thotti or the Doll's Pavillion which has a vast collection of dolls that belong to the early 19th and 20th centuries. This section also includes the wooden elephant Howdah which is adorned with 81 kg of gold. The seven canons that are situated in front of Gombe Thotti are used even today to mark the beginning and the end of the Dasara festival.

The Kalyana Mantapa or Marriage Hall with its chandeliers and stained Belgian glass ceiling arranged in peacock designs is another main attraction. The magnificent jewel-studded golden throne, made of 200 kg of pure gold, is displayed during the Dussehra festival. The beautiful paintings on the ceiling of the durbar hall are breathtaking and provide a unique feature to the palace. The Amba Vilas is the hall used by the king for the private audience and is one of the most spectacular rooms. This room is one of the most ornate rooms in the Palace and is located on the first floor. The Diwan-e-Aam is on the same floor facing south. King would host major ceremonial gatherings in this hall. The Palace has several visually delightful rooms like the portrait gallery, the royal armory, collections of costumes and jewellery, delicately carved doors of mahogany and solid silver, graceful chandeliers, decorative stained glass ceilings, and ornamental frescoes.

The Mysore Palace complex also consists of twelve temples in varied architectural styles which were built between the 14th - 20th centuries. At the time of the Dussehra festival, the palace is illuminated with more than 96,000 lights. Photography is not allowed inside the palace. The facade of the palace is a harmonious blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles which imparts it a regal quality. With the Chamundi Hills towards its eastern side, the spectacle of the Mysore Palace is an enchanting sight to behold. Needless to say, it is the second most visited historical monument visited by both local and foreign tourists after the Taj Mahal.

Mysore Palace Timings

Monday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 5.30 PM

Illumination Timings: 7 PM - 8 PM on Sundays & Public Holidays.

Light & Sound Show: Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

Kannada: 7 PM - 8 PM from Monday - Wednesday & 8.15 PM - 9.15 PM on Saturday
English: 7 PM - 8 PM from Thursday – Saturday

Mysore Palace Entry Fee

Adults:
Palace Entry: Rs. 100 per Person
Light & Sound Show: Rs. 100 for Kannada Show & Rs. 120 for English Show

Children (10 - 18 Years):
Palace Entry: Rs. 50 per Child
Light & Sound Show: Rs. 40 for Kannada Show & Rs. 50 for English Show

Mysore Palace Dussehra Celebrations

Mysore Palace is known worldwide for its vibrant Dussehra celebrations. The festival is celebrated for about ten days, and the Palace is lit with more than 96,000 lights, which is a sight to behold. The royal sword or the 'Pattada Katti' is taken on a procession around the city on the auspicious day of Mahanavami, the ninth day of the festival. On the 10th day i.e; Vijaya Dasami day, an elephant parade s is conducted from the palace grounds and is attended by the members of the royal family, as well as special guests of honour. During this extravagant festival of Mysore Dussehra, stages are being set up on the palace ground where many famous artists perform. The festive fervor during this time at the Mysore Palace is something that every traveler must experience at least once. It mostly occurs during November or October.

Light & Sound Show

An impressive Light & Sound Show takes place at the Mysore Palace in the evening on all days except Sundays and public holidays. It is a 45-minute show that depicts the 400-year history of Mysore. There are two shows - one is in Kannada & the other is in English.

Kannada: 7 PM - 8 PM from Monday - Wednesday & 8.15 PM - 9.15 PM on Saturday
English: 7 PM - 8 PM from Thursday – Saturday

Best Time To Visit Mysore Palace

The best time to visit Mysore Palace is around the time of Dussehra when the entire compound is beautifully lit with more than 96,000 lights for two months, which adds an incomparable charm to the grand palace. Besides the festival, another best time to visit the place is at night on Sundays and public holidays, from 7 PM to 8 PM, when the palace is illuminated.