Facts about Mysore Palace: Mysore Palace is an architectural wonder and a symbol of Karnataka’s rich heritage. Moreover, it is India’s second most-visited tourist attraction after the Taj Mahal. The Mysore Palace has more than 6 million visitors every year which is only second to the Taj Mahal in Agra. When you look at this magnificent palace you will be awestruck with its intricate craftsmanship and grandeur right in front of you! Henry Irwin, an architect trusted to rebuild it after a devastating fire in 1897, has ensured that the Mysore Palace stands strong despite the fires it has gone through. However, the reconstruction cost around Rs. 42 lakhs which is around $30 million as of today!
Facts about Mysore Palace
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Additionally, here are some Facts about the Mysore Palace that will surprise you:
- The palace’s Indo-Saracenic architecture has Mughal, Gothic, Rajput, and Hindu styles with pink marble domes and intricately carved pillars!
- The Mysore Palace has been rebuilt multiple times due to fires, with the most recent construction completed in 1912 after a fire in 1897 during Princess Jayalakshmmi’s wedding!
- The palace has a museum with royal artefacts which shows the rest of the world a peek into the life of the Wadiyar Dynasty!
- The Mysore Palace has paintings of the eight manifestations of Goddess Durga which is open to the world.
- The Golden Throne or Ratna Simhasana is used during the Dasara festivals and is made from over 80 kgs of gold!
- The central tower of the palace is 145 feet tall and is decorated with sculptures and arches supported by tall pillars!
- The palace is the epicentre of the 10-day Dasara festival in Mysore which has grand processions and performances!
- The ceremonial Golden Howdah which is used during the Dasara procession is an ornate throne made of gold and used to carry the statue of Goddess Durga.
- The Mysore Palace shines bright with about 100,000 bulbs on Sundays, public holidays, and during the Dasara festival!
- The palace area has 18 Hindu temples, the oldest of which date back to the 14th century, and the newest of which was built in 1953!
- The current palace is the fourth iteration, rebuilt with stone and marble after the previous wooden structure was destroyed by fire. It took 15 years to complete the construction from 1897 to 1912!
FAQs
The Mysore Palace has an intriguing history of rise and fall. It was built on a site with a palace dating back to the 14th century, however, it went through fires and reconstructions.
While the site boasts a palace lineage of over 600 years, the current Mysore Palace, completed in 1912, is a little over a century old.
Currently, the Mysore Palace is owned by Yaduveer Krishnadutta Chamaraj Wadiyar.
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