Beautiful Buildings Around The World Part 1 — The Mysore Palace in India
I have been fascinated with Indian Architecture for decades, but haven’t as yet had the chance to visit… My father would often talk (and show me his photographs) of the incredible buildings and palaces around India, together with some tall tales — which were all true (apart from one!).
Mysore Palace is a Royal Palace in Mysore in Karnataka, India. It is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The Palace (also known as the Amba Vilas Palace) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India (after the Taj Mahal) with about 6 million visitors per year. Although Tourists can visit the Palace, they are not allowed to take photographs inside.
The original Palace (known as The Old or Wooden Palace) was built of wood and burnt down in 1897. So Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his mother Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi commissioned the British Architect Lord Henry Irwin to build a new palace and the construction was overseen by B. P. Raghavulu Naidu, an Executive Engineer. The cost was about Rs 41,47,913 (around $30 million adjusted to inflation) and the new Palace was completed in 1912.
Mysore Palace was built next to the Parakala Mutt Headquarters, the leaders have remained the rajagurus (Royal Teachers and Guides) of the Mysore Kings. As the Royal Family were devotees of Goddess Chamundi the Palace faces the Chamundi Hills.
The Architectural Style of the Palace is a blend of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic styles, and the Domes have been described as Indo-Sarcenic.
Here is a video tour of The Mysore Palace :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIUnixsJmeg&feature=emb_logo
(Mysore Palace || Mysore Palace inside videos || Mysore Palace Light show Video by Sudeesh Kottikkal)
The Palace is a three Storey building with marble domes and has a five Storey Tower that is 145 feet (44.19m) high. It is made of fine grey granite and deep pink marble domes and has a facade of several arches and two smaller ones flanking a large central arch supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is a sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and abundance with her elephants.
A large garden surrounds the Palace There are three major exclusive temple buildings within the Old Fort, and about 18 inside Mysore Palace itself.
The Entrance Gate and Arch hold the Emblem and Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Mysore — this is surrounded by the Kingdom’s Motto in Sanskrit — “न बिभॆति कदाचन” (never terrified).
The main Palace Complex is 245 feet long (74.67m) and 156 feet wide (47.54m) and has three entrances : The East Gate (front gate — it is only opened during the Dasara and for dignitaries), the South Gate (for the Public and the West Gate which is normally only opened during Dasara. There are also many secret tunnels from the Palace Cellar leading to Sringanapatna, (temple to the Hindu god Ranganthata — a manifestation of the god Vishnu) other Palaces and private areas.
(See Links below for information about the Mysore Dasara & Sringanapatna).
There are two dubar halls (ceremonal meeting halls of the Royal Court) within the Palace.
Mysore Palace is now a Museum and Art Galley that displays paintings, jewelry, weapons, costumes, and souvenirs and more that were once owned by the Wodeyars.
My list of places to visit just keeps on getting longer and longer!
Call Claire — +27 82 399 0180 / + 27 232 3676
bluedesigns5@gmail.com
www.bluedesigns.org
I love Architecture. I think it’s vital to talk about all aspects of Architecture — whether it be planning, construction, design or green building. I have written 3 E-Books & over 110 articles. Please feel free to let me know if you have any queries regarding architecture, planning & construction & I will assist you.
I am originally from the UK and moved to South Africa in 1999. I started Blue Designs in 2004 after working as a driver for Avalon Construction on a luxury home in the Featherbrook Estate. In my spare time I am an artist and writer (The Naked Architect).
Other Articles I have written include :-
Building Green? Here are some tips.
Common Mistakes People make when Designing a House
The Advantages of Sustainable Building
Considering Buying or Renovating a Heritage Home? Pros and Cons
Renovation vs New Construction — which is Greener and Better for the Environment?
Bizarre Buildings Part Two — Space Age Fantasy
Weird and Wonderful Buildings Part Three — Three Buildings that make Music
Please follow me on :-
https://www.bebee.com/bee/claire-cardwell
https://www.bebee.com/group/the-naked-architect / https://www.facebook.com/groups/258263907906727/
https://twitter.com/ClaireCardwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-cardwell-ab438a17
https://www.facebook.com/bluedesignsarchitects/
#Architecture #Architect #Clairecardwell #Clairelcardwell #Bluedesigns #Bluedesignsarchitecturaldesigners #Architecturaldesigner #Design #India #Mysorepalace
Sources & Further Reading :-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysore_Palace
Official Government Website featuring a 3d Virtual Tour
Mysore Palace Board :
https://web.archive.org/web/20110228050244/http://www.themysorepalace.com:80/main.htm
Mysore Palace Lighting :
https://www.inmysore.com/mysore-palace
Also :
https://www.inmysore.com/mysore-palace
Mysore Dasara :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysore_Dasara
Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranganathaswamy_Temple,_Srirangapatna
Parakala Matha :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parakala_Matha
Goddess Chamundi :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamunda
Chamundi Hills :
Originally published at https://www.bebee.com.
