Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace)

Mysore Palace, officially known as Amba Vilas Palace, is one of the grandest royal residences in India and the second most visited monument in the country after the Taj Mahal, attracting over three million visitors each year. Located in the heart of Mysuru, Karnataka, the present palace was built between 1897 and 1912 after the earlier wooden palace was destroyed by fire, and was designed by the British architect Henry Irwin in a magnificent Indo-Saracenic style. The palace is a visual spectacle of carved stone domes, gilded turrets, stained glass, and intricate ironwork, blending Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic architectural styles. Inside, it houses a royal museum with an extraordinary collection of royal costumes, ceremonial jewellery, paintings, armoury, and memorabilia of the Wodeyar dynasty. The Durbar Hall and the Golden Howdah used during the Dasara procession are among the most celebrated exhibits. The palace grounds include temples, a public pool, and several galleries open to visitors. During the Dasara festival in October, the palace is illuminated by approximately 100,000 light bulbs, creating a spectacular sight. Managed by the Mysore Palace Board under the Government of Karnataka, the palace is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30. It stands as a supreme symbol of the cultural magnificence of the Mysore kingdom and remains a centrepiece of Karnataka’s tourism.