The Mysore Palace: Once the royal residence
of the Wodeyars the palace is one
of the largest in India. It is
also known as Amber Vilas. Henry Irwin designed the palace in 1897
after a fire burnt down the old wooden palace. The construction was
completed in 1912 and is still considered one of the most regal
monuments in the Indo-Saracenic style. Stained glass domes, doors,
arches pillars and shining marble floors the palace home to some
enviable art treasures. On the day of Dussera ( some time in
October) a fabulous collection of weapons , jewellery, paintings,
ivory inlaid doors and an ornate throne are on display. The palace
has a selection of Hindu temples within its grounds including the
Shweta Varahaswamy Temple with its gopuram ( Dravidian gateway
tower) that influenced the style of the later Sri Chamundeswari
Temple on Chamundi Hill. The Residential Museum incorporating some
of the palace’s living quarters and personal effects belonging to
the Maharaja’s family. On Sunday night and during the entire
Dussehra festival there is a carnival atmosphere around the palace.
