Mysore Palace, officially the Amba Vilas Palace, is the dazzling seat of the Wadiyar dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore for centuries. The current structure was completed in 1912, designed by British architect Henry Irwin after the previous wooden palace burned down in 1897. Its grand Indo-Saracenic style blends Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic elements into a confection of domed pavilions, arches and a towering five-storey central tower crowned in gilded gold. Inside, visitors move through opulent halls of stained glass, carved teak doors, mosaic floors, cast-iron pillars imported from Glasgow, and ceilings of peacock motifs. The Durbar Hall and the Kalyana Mantapa marriage pavilion are the showpieces. The palace is most famous for its evening illumination, when around 97,000 light bulbs trace its silhouette against the night sky, an unforgettable spectacle staged on Sundays and public holidays. As the centrepiece of the city's grand Dasara festival, it draws royal processions and crowds each autumn. One of India's most visited monuments after the Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace offers a vivid window into princely-era splendour, craftsmanship and ceremony, all within an easy stroll of the historic heart of Mysuru.
Top Attractions
Durbar Hall (Diwan-e-Aam)
This vast public audience hall is the palace's grandest space, opening onto an ornate facade through a long colonnade of slender pillars. Richly painted ceilings, decorative motifs and sweeping views over the palace grounds make it the highlight for most visitors. From here the Maharaja once addressed his subjects. The polished floors, frescoes and the sheer scale of the hall convey the wealth and ceremony of the Wadiyar court at its peak.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace entry
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Mid-morning, before crowds peak
- Tip: Look up to admire the painted ceiling and the long row of cast-iron pillars.
Kalyana Mantapa (Marriage Pavilion)
The octagonal Kalyana Mantapa is widely regarded as the most beautiful chamber in the palace. Its standout feature is a striking stained-glass dome arranged with peacock motifs, imported from Glasgow, that filters coloured light onto an intricate mosaic floor of glazed English tiles below. Once used for royal weddings and ceremonies, the pavilion dazzles with its symmetry, colour and the play of light through the glasswork overhead.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace entry
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: Bright daylight hours for the stained glass
- Tip: Visit on a sunny day so the dome's coloured glass glows over the tiled floor.
Golden Throne & Royal Collection
The palace houses the famed jewel-encrusted golden throne (Chinnada Simhasana) of the Wadiyar rulers, traditionally displayed only during the Dasara festival. Year-round, galleries showcase royal portraits, weapons, musical instruments, ceremonial costumes and artefacts from the dynasty. The collection illustrates the artistic patronage and courtly life of one of India's most prominent princely states, with detailed craftsmanship in ivory, gold and silver on view.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Included in palace entry
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Best Time: During Dasara to see the throne assembled
- Tip: The golden throne is fully assembled and shown only during the Dasara season in autumn.
Sunday & Festival Illumination
Each Sunday evening and on public holidays, around 97,000 bulbs outline the palace's domes, arches and tower in glowing gold for a short window after dusk. The free-to-view spectacle, typically lasting around 15 minutes, draws large crowds onto the grounds. It is the single most photographed moment at Mysore Palace and an essential experience for evening visitors timing their trip right.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free to view from grounds
- Hours: Approx. 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM (Sundays/holidays)
- Best Time: Sunday evening or public holidays
- Tip: Arrive well before 7 PM to claim a clear viewing spot inside the grounds.
Palace Temples & Gateways
Within the palace complex stand several working temples, including the Shweta Varahaswamy and Sri Chamundeshwari temples, predating or contemporary with the palace. The grand main gateway and the ornate elephant gate, decorated with the royal Gandaberunda double-headed eagle emblem, are striking entry points. These spaces blend the palace's role as both a royal residence and an active centre of worship and ceremony.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Temples free; palace entry separate
- Hours: Varies by temple
- Best Time: Morning
- Tip: Spot the Gandaberunda (two-headed eagle) emblem, the royal symbol of Mysore.
Chamundi Hills (Nearby)
About 13 km from the palace, Chamundi Hills is crowned by the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, the goddess after whom the hill is named and the patron deity of the Mysore royals. The climb passes the giant monolithic Nandi bull statue, and the summit offers sweeping views over Mysuru and the palace city. It pairs naturally with a palace visit for a fuller sense of the region's heritage.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Temple free; special darshan extra
- Hours: Approx. 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (temple)
- Best Time: Early morning to beat heat and queues
- Tip: The huge Nandi bull statue partway up the hill is worth a stop.
Food & Local Flavours
Mysuru's cuisine is a delicious extension of its royal heritage, famous for dishes invented in the palace kitchens.
Mysore Pak
The city's signature sweet, said to have been created in the Mysore Palace kitchens for the Wadiyar Maharaja. Made from gram flour, ghee and sugar, it ranges from a dense, fudge-like version to a softer, melt-in-the-mouth style. Rich and buttery, it is the definitive Mysuru treat and an essential souvenir to carry home.
Price: INR 200-500 per box
Try: Heritage sweet shops near Devaraja Market and Sayyaji Rao Road
Mysore Masala Dosa
A crisp, golden dosa spread inside with a spicy red chutney of garlic and chilli, then folded over a soft potato filling. Served with coconut chutney and sambar, it is a beloved breakfast across Karnataka but especially associated with Mysuru. Tangy, spicy and satisfying, it is best eaten hot off the griddle at a classic udupi-style eatery.
Price: INR 60-150
Try: Local udupi restaurants and tiffin rooms across the city
Mysore Bonda & Filter Coffee
Fluffy deep-fried lentil dumplings, crisp outside and soft within, served with coconut chutney as a popular evening snack. They pair perfectly with strong South Indian filter coffee, brewed and frothed in the traditional steel tumbler-and-dabara. Together they make a quintessential Mysuru tea-time ritual after a day of sightseeing.
Price: INR 40-120
Try: Tiffin rooms and coffee houses citywide
Bisi Bele Bath
A hearty Karnataka one-pot rice dish cooked with lentils, tamarind, vegetables and a fragrant special spice blend, traditionally topped with ghee and crunchy savoury bits. Its name means hot lentil rice, and it is comforting, tangy and mildly spiced. A regional classic, it is widely available at South Indian eateries around Mysuru.
Price: INR 80-180
Try: South Indian thali and meals restaurants
Practical Information
Getting Around
- Walking: Free — the palace and central Mysuru sights are compact and easily explored on foot
- Auto-rickshaw: INR 40-150 for short city hops — agree on fare or insist on the meter
- City bus / KSRTC: INR 10-40 — cheap connections to Chamundi Hills and across town
- Taxi / app cab: INR 150-500 — convenient for Chamundi Hills and longer trips
Budget Guide (Per Day)
- Budget: INR 1500-3000 (~$18-36): Dorm or budget guesthouse, local tiffin meals, palace entry and public transport
- Mid-range: INR 3500-8000 (~$42-96): Comfortable 3-star hotel, sit-down restaurant meals, taxis and a guided tour
- Luxury: INR 12000+ (~$145+): Heritage or palace-style hotel, fine dining, private car and bespoke experiences
Best Time to Visit
- October (Dasara): The palace and city host the grand Dasara festival with processions, lit displays and the golden throne on view
- October to February: Cool, pleasant weather ideal for sightseeing and walking the palace grounds
- Any Sunday evening: Time your visit for the spectacular palace illumination after dusk
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Mysore Palace — Naveen R Gowda, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons