Mysore city was formerly the capital of the royal province of Mysore. According to Hindu mythology, the town is named after the demon Mahishasura, who was killed by the goddess Chamundeshwari, who the people of Mysore worship. The Mysore Palace was the royal residence, built in Indo-Saracenic style combining elements of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic architecture. It housed ornate halls, paintings, sculptures and a Doll Pavilion with traditional dolls and objects.

4. Brief History of Mysore
Mysore city was the capital of the former
royal Mysore province. The word Mysore
expands to 'Mahishasurana Ooru', which
means the town of Mahishasura. According
to Hindu mythology Mahishasura was a
demon king who was killed by the warrior
goddess Chamundeshwari on Chamundi
hill near Mysore. Ever since, the people of
Mysore have worshipped Chamundeshwari
as their tutelary deity.

8. From this Hall one can have a
panoramic view of the open yard
consisting of lawns and
fountains, towers of temples, the
majestic Jayamarthanda Gate and
in the horizon, a view of the
famous Lalit Mahal Palace as well
as the rugged, uneven contours of
the Chamundi Hill.

11. •Gombe Thotti (Doll’s
Pavilion)
Entry to the palace is through the
Gombe Thotti or the Doll’s
Pavilion, a gallery of traditional
dolls from the nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries.
The pavilion also houses a fine
collection of Indian and European
sculpture and ceremonial objects
like a wooden elephant howdah
(frame to carry passengers)
decorated with 84 kilograms of
gold.
Other features of the Gombe
Thotti are the seven canons which
is situated in front of the Gombe
Thotti and are still fired to mark
the beginning and end of the
annual Dasara procession.

14. The kalyana mantapa or marriage hall

15. KalyanaMantapa
The Kalyana Mantapa or marriage hall is a grand
octagonal-shaped pavilion with a multihued stained
glass ceiling with peacock motifs arranged in
geometrical patterns. The entire structure was
wrought in Glasgow, Scotland.
The floor of the Mantapa continues the peacock
theme with a peacock mosaic, designed with tiles
from England.
The hall is lined with elaborately detailed oil
paintings, illustrating the royal procession and
Dasara celebrations of bygone years.

17. A Hallway of Doors in Palace

18. The Ambhavilasa palace

19. Ambavilasa or Diwan e khas
The Ambavilasa, a hall used by the king for private
audience, is one of the most spectacular rooms of the
palace.
Entry to this opulent hall is through an elegantly
carved rosewood doorway inlaid with ivory that opens
into a shrine to Ganesha.
The central knave of the hall has ornately gilded
columns, stained glass ceilings, decorative steel
grills, and chandeliers with fine floral motifs,
mirrored in the pietra dura mosaic floor embellished
with semi-precious stones.

21. Architecture
A dramatic three storied stone building of fine
gray granite with deep pink marble domes
dominated by a five-storied 145 ft tower with a
gilded dome mounted by a single golden flag.
Designed by Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace is one
of the finest achievements of Indo Saracenic
architecture, summing up many diverse themes
that have played through Indian architecture over
the centuries. Muslim designs and t style combine
with Gothic elements and in Rajput diogenous
materials in an exuberant display of grandeur.

22. Elephant Gate
Elephant Gate of the
Mysore Palace is
commonly described
as Indo-Saracenic
mode of architecture.
The architecture of
Mysore Place is a
perfect blend together
with Hindu Culture,
Muslim Culture,
Rajput Culture, and
Gothic stylesof
architecture.

23. Public hall dharbar

25. Public Darbar Hall
The Public Darbar Hall for public audience
is 155 feet in length and 42 feet in breadth,
with majestic bottle-shaped columns
tastefully painted in pleasing colors. The
hall contains a priceless collection of
paintings by great Indian artists including
Raja Ravivarma.
The hall opens into an expansive balcony
supported by massive columns that has a
fine view of the Chamundi Hills and parade
grounds.

30. Golden howdah

31. DASARA PROCESSION