Mysore Palace, officially the Amba Vilas Palace, is the former royal residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the centrepiece of Mysore (Mysuru). With its grey granite walls, pink marble domes and gilded central tower, it is one of the most visited monuments in India, drawing several million visitors a year.
The palace still has a royal link: the rear section is home to the present head of the Wadiyar family, while the front halls are a public museum run by the Mysore Palace Board under the Karnataka government.
On this page
History of Mysore Palace
A palace has stood inside the old fort of Mysore since at least the 17th century. It was demolished by Tipu Sultan in 1793 and rebuilt, largely in wood, after his death in 1799, when the British restored the Wadiyars to the throne. In February 1897 a fire destroyed much of that wooden palace during a royal wedding.
The regent, Queen Kempananjammanni, commissioned the British architect Henry Irwin to design a new palace of stone, brick and iron. Work ran from 1897 to 1912. The result is a showpiece of Indo-Saracenic style, mixing Mughal and Rajput domes and arches with Hoysala-style carving and Gothic touches. In 1950 Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar proclaimed Mysore’s accession to the Republic of India in the palace’s Durbar Hall.
What to see
- Gombe Thotti (Dolls’ Pavilion): traditional dolls and the golden howdah – about 750 kg – used in the Dasara procession.
- Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall): an octagonal hall with a stained-glass ceiling on cast-iron pillars made in Glasgow, and walls lined with paintings of the Dasara procession.
- Public Durbar Hall: a long, pillared balcony-hall open to the east, with painted ceilings and works associated with Raja Ravi Varma.
- Private Durbar Hall (Amba Vilas): carved teak doors and marble floors with fine stone inlay work.
- Palace temples: several temples in the grounds, including the Lakshmiramana, Varahaswami and Prasanna Krishnaswami temples.
- Residential Museum: the older rear wing, run separately by the royal family, with paintings, toys, musical instruments and an armoury.
Illumination and sound and light show
The palace is lit with nearly 100,000 bulbs. At the time of writing, the official website lists the illumination on Sundays and public holidays from 7 to 8 PM, and every night during the Dasara festival. On other evenings there is a 45-minute sound and light show on the palace’s history – in Kannada on some nights and English on others – ending with a short illumination. Tickets for the show are sold from 6:30 PM at the Varaha Gate counter on the south side.
Timings and tickets
At the time of writing, the palace is open every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. Entry is ₹100 for adults (Indian and foreign) and ₹50 for children aged 10–18, with tickets sold at the gates and online. The sound and light show has separate tickets. Prices and times change, so check the official Mysore Palace website before you go.
Tips
- Footwear: shoes are removed before entering the palace building and left at the counter.
- Photography: is restricted inside the palace; follow the signs and staff instructions.
- Crowds: weekends and holidays are very busy; arrive at opening time.
- Dasara: the ten-day festival in September–October brings nightly lighting, cultural programmes and the Jamboo Savari elephant procession on Vijayadashami – book hotels well ahead.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Mysore is about 446 km from Pondicherry, around 8 to 9 hours by road, so plan at least one night there. Pair the palace with Chamundi Hills, Srirangapatna and Brindavan Gardens. Mysore is part of our Ooty – Coonoor – Mysore tour and the Wayanad – Ooty – Mysore tour, and can be combined with Coorg. Interstate permit charges apply for Tamil Nadu cars entering Karnataka. More ideas on our heritage page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Mysore Palace timings?
At the time of writing, the palace is open every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. Check the official website before you go.
When is Mysore Palace lit up?
At the time of writing, the illumination is on Sundays and public holidays from 7 to 8 PM, and every night during Dasara. A short illumination also follows the sound and light show on other evenings.
What is the Mysore Palace entry fee?
At the time of writing, ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children aged 10 to 18. The sound and light show is ticketed separately.
Who designed Mysore Palace?
The British architect Henry Irwin designed the present palace after the old wooden one burned in 1897. It was completed in 1912.