Mysore Palace

Weather :

Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Forts & Palaces

Timings : 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Time Required : 2-3 hours

Entry Fee : Adults: ( Indian & Foreigners)INR 70
Children (between 10 and 18 years): INR 30
Students (Study Tour): INR 10
Parking: INR 40 (Car) %INR 20 (Two-wheeler)

Planning a Trip? Ask Your Question

Mysore Palace, Mysore Overview

An incredibly breathtaking example of Indo - Saracenic style of architecture, the Mysore Palace is a magnificent edifice located in Mysore in the state of Karnataka. Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it is the former palace of the royal family of Mysore and is still their official residence. Mysore Palace was built in the year 1912 for the 24th Ruler of the Wodeyar Dynasty and is counted amongst one of the biggest palaces in the country.

The construction of the Mysore Palace was orchestrated by the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV referred as "Rajarishi" (saintly king) by Mahatma Gandhi. It was then further expanded by his son and the last Maharaja of Mysore, Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. 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. Presently located inside the Old Fort, Mysore Palace is renowned for its light & sound show and vibrant Dussehra celebrations.

Read More on Mysore Palace

Tips For Visiting Mysore Palace

1. You need to remove your shoes. There are lockers for keeping shoes and they charge a minimal amount of INR 2
2. Audio information kits are available in 7-8 languages for interested people.

Architecture of Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace is built in the Indo-Saracenic form of architecture which is an exquisite blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles of architecture. The Indo-Saracenic architecture was an architectural revival movement by British architects in the 19th century, drawing elements from Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture mixed with Gothic and Neoclassical styles. It is a three-storeyed stone palace with marble domes and has a 145 ft tall five-storeyed tower. There is a large garden surrounding the palace. Entry to the palace is through "Gombe Thotti" or Doll's Pavillion with traditional dolls of different times displayed and a wooden elephant decorated with gold. The kingdom's motto, "never be terrified" is written in Sanskrit on the entrance gate and the arch.

It has three gates towards the east (opens only during the Dasara celebrations for VVIPs), west (opens only during the Dasar celebrations), and south (for public). There are many secret tunnels from the palace cellar that lead to Srirangapatna and other confidential areas. The Mysore Palace faces the Chamundi hills as the maharajas of Mysore were said to be devotees of Goddess Chamundi. There are twelve temples inside the complex with construction time ranging from the 1950s to as back as the fourteenth century.

The private hall or the "Ambavilasa" is a luxurious hall with doorway carved out of rosewood. The king used to hold private meetings with ministers here. The Darbar Hall or the "Diwan-I-Am" is a 155 ft high public hall which was used for public announcements and hearings.The royal throne inside the Diwan-I-Am; displayed to the public only during the Dasara celebrations is an artistic masterpiece with mesmerising artwork on the gold covered throne. The wedding hall or the Kalyan Mandapa is another massive octagonal shaped hall south of the palace with glass ceilings and glazed tile flooring. The ceiling is filled with intricate kaleidoscopic artwork.

Mysore Palace Light and Sound Show

An impressive light and sound show takes place at the Mysore Palace every day in the evening except for Sundays and public holiday.
Language Day and Time Amount
(Inclusive of GST)
Kannada  Monday to Wednesday (7:00 PM to 8:00 PM)
Saturday (8.15 PM to 9.15 PM)
Adults: INR 70
Children: INR 30
English Thursday to Saturday (7:00 PM to 8:00 PM) Adults: INR 90
Children: INR 40

Mysore Palace Dussehra Celebrations

Vijaya Dashami is the major festival that is celebrated every year in autumn. The festival is celebrated for about ten days, and the main attraction of the festival is a parade march by the elephants. The entire area is decked up like a bride during Dussehra, and it attracts tourists all across the world. Members of the royal family, as well as special guests of honour, attend the ceremony. 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.

Best Time To Visit Mysore Palace

The best time to visit the palace is around the time of Dussehra when the entire compound is beautifully decorated and lit, illuminated in a golden hue.

The palace is lit every Sunday and on all public holidays. 

How To Reach Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace is located right in the heart of Mysore city. The Mufesal Bus stand is located just a couple of kilometres away from the palace. The KSRTC buses operate from this bus stand at short intervals. You can then walk from the bus stand to the north gate or the east gate of the palace. Alternatively, you can hire an auto rickshaw from the bus stand to the palace gate. If you are travelling by train to Mysore, you can hire an auto rickshaw from outside the station to reach the palace.

History of Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace has a rich history attested to it. It used to be the residence of the royal Wadiyar family of Mysore from 1350 to 1950, for almost 600 years. During its lifetime, the palace had been built and rebuilt many times. In 1897, the then ruler of Mysore, Krishna Rajendra Wadiyar IV, ordered the restoration and reconstruction of the palace after a wooden palace was destroyed by fire at a wedding ceremony. Lord Henry Irwin, the British architect, was commissioned to replace the older palace which had gotten burnt during a fire in 1897. The palace's construction was completed in 1912 and cost an exorbitant amount of INR 41,47,913 at the time.

In 1940, several renovations were made in the palace structure, which included the Public Darbar Hall.The descendants of the royal family continue to reside in one portion of the Mysore Palace, while most of the palace is now state-owned and converted into a museum. It's one of the most famous and well-known attractions in India attracting more than six million tourists annually.

Mysore Palace Reviews

Your rating

harshitha k p

on Mysore Palace 5 years ago
Mysore Palace - the pride of Mysore. The enticing architecture is indeed a visual treat. The majestic grandeur of Mysore Palace is like nothing else.Best time to visit Mysore Palace is during Dasara (Read More)festival. Surely a must visit place in a lifetime not only for its beauty but also for the royalty and customs. Not to forget, Jamboo Savaari is one of the major attraction during this time.

Walter Singh

on Mysore Palace 2 years ago
Epic place filled with history. the street vendors around the palace bring back those times when kings used to live there. Many areas are still restricted. so India's old lift

Anjali Vij

on Mysore Palace 5 years ago
The Mysore Palace is the major attraction of Mysore which is also known as City of Palaces. The Mysore Palace is a beautiful delight to sore eyes as the detailed carving and hand sculpting that has g (Read More)one into its creation. The Palace is colourful and highly maintained such that it serves a very photographic location. One cannot use dedicated cameras such as DSLRs or even Polaroid Cameras inside the Palace, but mobile photography is permitted and not penalized. It is also a place that is historically significant. Its history can be read on the internet before visiting the palace, if you are not willing to pay for a guide because that?s what my friends and I did. If one means to visit other places arounf the Mysore Palace in Mysore do check if the city is open during that day because we went on a Tuesday and all the shops and places in the city were shut.

Have a Question on Mysore Palace?

Ask a question from the travellers who have
experience.