Mysuru Palace, also called Amba Vilas, is the city's best-known building and a leading example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The interiors have marble, mosaic floors, stained glass, golden pillars, teal and gold columns and carved wooden doors. Outside, landscaped gardens surround the palace within a fort complex that also holds twelve Hindu temples. On Sundays and holidays the building is lit by 97,000 bulbs, and the evening light is part of many Mysuru itineraries. Cameras are not allowed inside, so plan your photos for the grounds.
An Indo-Saracenic palace by Henry Irwin
Mysuru Palace is the most recognisable building in Mysuru and is also known as Amba Vilas. It was designed by the British architect Henry Irwin in the Indo-Saracenic style, which draws on Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic traditions.
The mix is visible in the building itself. The palace is decorated with detailed carvings, frescoes and paintings, and some of them show scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Inside the palace
The interiors are known for marble, mosaic floors, stained glass and golden pillars. Teal and gold columns and carved wooden doors stand out for many people who walk through.
The palace also houses a museum, and Mysuru itineraries often list the palace and its museum as a single stop.
Photography is not permitted inside, so the visit is about looking closely rather than recording. Shoes are left at a counter at the entrance, and socks make the walk more comfortable on the floors.
Gardens and the temples in the fort
The palace is set in well-kept gardens, which are the place to take photographs. Cows sometimes graze on the lawns.
The palace stands within a historic fort complex that contains twelve Hindu temples. If you have time beyond the palace itself, the grounds are worth a slower look.
The palace after dark and at Dasara
On Sundays and holidays the palace is lit by 97,000 bulbs. Travellers often plan the illumination as the last stop of a Mysuru day, after sights such as Chamundeshwari Temple, the zoo and Devaraja Market.
During the Dasara festival, cultural programmes are held in front of the palace. Events linked to the festival include the Jumbo Sawari procession and the Torch Light Parade. Festival arrangements and crowd limits are set by the state government and can change, so check current guidance before you plan around Dasara.
Perguntas frequentes
Can you take photos inside Mysuru Palace?
No, cameras are not allowed inside. Take your photos outside, in the gardens and on the grounds.
Do you have to take your shoes off?
Yes. You leave your shoes at a counter before entering, and wearing socks is recommended.
When is Mysuru Palace lit up?
The palace is lit by 97,000 bulbs on Sundays and holidays.
Should you buy tickets in advance?
Buying tickets in advance is recommended. The official website is mysorepalace.karnataka.gov.in.
Is Mysuru Palace accessible and family friendly?
The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and there is a wheelchair accessible parking lot. The palace is also suitable for children. Both paid and free parking options are available nearby.
