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Top 10 Interesting Facts About The Mysore Palace

The palace which is located in Mysore, India is also known as Amba Villas Palace. The palace used to serve as the official residence of the ruling family which was the Wadiyar Dynasty. The seat of the Kingdom of Mysore was also located at this Palace.  Being one of the City of Palaces makes the place a major tourist attraction site in that it attracts both local and international tourists who want to explore and experience the ancient royal life the ruling families in India lived.

Therefore, this article explores ten interesting facts about the palace that attracts tourists to it. The information will also be critical in increasing the readers’ knowledge of different historic sites around the world.

1. The palace was built several times

The palace which dates back to the 14^th century was built several times because it was set ablaze. Since the fort was being built using wood at the time, it was so easy for it to be destroyed that when a fire started it spread fast and thus making it hard to control it. It is believed that the palace was burnt during the wedding of Princess Jayalakshammanni in the process of festivities.

2. It is one of the most visited tourist attraction sites in India

The palace receives more than 6 million visitors a year and thus makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country.  It is even considered to be the most visited tourist attraction site after the Taj Mahal which is part of the seven wonders of the world. The Mysore Palace attracts tourists as they want to get a glimpse of the stunning structures and delve into the rich history of the place.

3. The palace architecture

The palace features an Indo-Saracenic type of architecture a combination of Mughal, Gothic, Rajput and Hindu styles. There are pink marble domes found on top of the three-story building found in the palace that has arches that are supported by tall pillars. The several buildings located in the garden also have great features that make this palace an outstanding architectural piece that is visited by most people.

4. Dasara Festival

This festival has always been hosted in the palace for a long time and the trend is continuing to this day. The Dasara Festival is a royal festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is believed in the Hindu culture that the goddess Chamundeshwari defeated the demon Mahishasura. The festival spans 10 days with the actual festival being held on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar.

The festival attracts a lot of people who are of Hindu belief because the festival is of critical significance to them and thus increases traffic that goes to the palace. Research shows that this festival was celebrated as early as the 15^th century which makes it important for Hindus as it has great historical significance.

5. There is a museum inside the palace

After India attained independence, the ruling family of the Wadiyar Dynasty had to move to another palace. Therefore, the palace was converted into a museum which showcased the artefacts of the Kingdom of Mysore. Some of the notable things seen at the palace are pictures of the ruling family,  the royal clothing and artefacts that were used by the royals. By having a museum in the palace,  the common citizens were gives the locals a chance to understand how the royals lived.

6. The royal painting

The palace contains huge and stunning paintings that show the eight manifestations of goddess Dirga Shakthi who symbolised strength. The manifestations include Katyayani, Kalratri, Bhramhacharini, Shailputri and Kushmands. These paintings are the original ones and are open to the public which makes it an interesting experience for the locals. The paintings also allow people to learn more about their goddesses and culture.

7. A renowned British architect built the palace

After the fire set ablaze the palace, the royal family ordered the reconstruction of their home. It was rebuilt by a renowned British architect known as Henry Irwin. He was a notable architect in the late 19^th century. The cost of building the palace was 41,47,913 rupees which is the equivalent of $30 million today.

8. The five-story tower

The most notable structure in the Mysore Palace is the 5 story tower. It stands at 145 feet and it is said that it is much taller than it appears to be since it is located in the middle of the building. The tower is magnificent and thus makes the palace look incredible.

Furthermore, it features grey granite and multiple arches that are helped up by tall pillars. The main arch found here has a sculpture of Gajalakshmi who signifies prosperity, fortune, wealth and abundance.

9. There are several buildings in the palace

The palace was known as the Old Fort and it features several buildings. There are 18 temples located inside the palace. Kings used to build temples inside the palace at the time and thus make for an interesting visit. There are also two Durbar Halls, corridors,  gardens, courtyards and rooms that were used for various activities and events.

10. The royal throne

There is a golden throne found at the Mysore Palace that is known as Ratna Simhasana. This throne features an incredible oeuvre on the gold plates which is only shown to the public during the 10 days Dasara Festival. The ruling family used to occupy this throne and decide on cases in the courtroom that was located in the palace’s Durbar Hall. The extravagant throne takes the tourist back into the Maharajas’ reign as it depicts the splendour and the rich life of the royal family.