Visiting The Grand Palaces Of Karnataka

Bangalore Palace

The Bangalore Palace, as the name suggests, is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The beginning of the construction of the palace is associated with Rev. J. Garrett, the first Principal of the Central High School (now known as Central College) in Bangalore. He was a famous educationist in the region during the British Raj. The palace grounds were originally owned by Rev. Garrett but was purchased from him in 873 AD by the British Guardians using the funds of the minor king  Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar. The British Guardians were in charge of the education and administrative training of the King to make him ready to rule the region. To find a suitable place for him to stay in Bengaluru, the palace was built. The palace occupied an area of 45,000 square feet and the grounds around it spread across 454 acres.

The Bangalore Palace, unlike other palaces in the region, was built using the Tudor style architecture. It had fortified towers, turrets, and battlements. Elegant wood carvings, relief paintings, floral motifs, Edwardian and Victorian style furniture enhanced the beauty of the grand palace.

The grounds around the palace have hosted numerous public events including music concerts by international artists. Today, a legal battle of ownership of the Bangalore Palace is going on between the Indian government and the Mysore Royal family. 

Jaganmohan Palace

The Jaganmohan Palace is a magnificent palace located in Mysore. The palace was completed in 1861 to house the Wodeyar royals while the present majestic Mysore Palace was under construction after a fire had destroyed the original home of the Wodeyar Dynasty. The Jaganmohan Palace currently serves as a function hall and an art gallery. The three-storied palace is built using the traditional Hindu style. The interior walls of the palace are well decorated with murals depicting religious and historical events. The art gallery of the palace houses one of South India’s largest collection of artifacts. Over 2,000 paintings belonging to different styles of Indian painting are displayed here. Exhibits of weapons of war, sculptures, antique coins, currencies, musical instruments, etc., are also part of the museum’s rich collection of artifacts. Paintings on grains of rice than can be seen only through a microscope are also kept here. The auditorium of the Jaganmohan Palace is used for traditional dance and music performances on different occasions throughout the year.

Jayalakshmi Vilas

Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is a palatial heritage building in Mysore city. The mansion has picturesque settings with surrounding greenery. It is located on a hillock on the western side of the Kukkarahalli lake. A museum within the mansion displays a priceless collection of gems, jewels, and other artifacts. The building of the palace was commissioned in 1905 by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, for princess Jayalakshmi Ammani. The University of Mysore acquired the mansion to establish a postgraduate center in its campus but soon the mansion was in a state of neglect. In 2002, with the funds from the Infosys foundation, renovations started on the mansion and was completed by 2006. The Jayalakshmi Vilas houses 125 rooms, 287 exquisitely carved doors and occupies a total area of 6 acres. 

Lalitha Mahal

The second largest palace in Mysore, the Lalitha Mahal is located close to the Chamundi Hills in eastern Mysore. The palace was built in 1921 and was commissioned by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the then Maharaja of Mysore.

It was built with the aim to serve as the residence of the then British Viceroy of India. The palace was fashioned on lines of the St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. In 1974, the palace was converted into a luxurious heritage retreat. The Ashok Group of the India Tourism Development Corporation currently runs the hotel. The elegant architecture of the palace reflects the Italian Palazzos and English manor houses.

The balcony of the two-storied palace offers a pleasing view of the Mysore city and the Chamundi Hills. The palace is replete with exquisitely designed rooms, a dancing floor, banquet hall, an Italian marble staircase, full-length portraits of the Wodeyar kings, Persian carpets, ornate furniture,  Belgian crystal chandeliers, and more such objects of luxury.

Rajendra Vilas

The Rajendra Vilas is a palace-hotel located at an elevation of 1,000 feet on the top of the Chamundi Hills. The palace site earlier hosted the summer palace of the Wodeyars of Mysore. The Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV was taught English and philosophy in the building. Later, he commissioned the construction of a much larger palace at the site which was completed in 1938 to 1939. After independence, the Karnataka state government declared the building as a heritage structure but the rights to property remained with the descendent of the Wodeyars who converted to a luxurious palace hotel. The palace accommodates about 25 suites.

Cheluvamba Mansion

The Cheluvamba Mansion, a former royal residential palace, is located in the Mysore city of Karnataka. The palace was built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV for Cheluvajammanni, the third princess of Mysore. The mansion is spread over a large area and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Currently, the mansion is home to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), a premier research institute in the country. The institute has maintained the mansion in a good condition.

Nalknad Palace

The Nalknad Palace is an Indian palace in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. It is located near the village of Yavakapadi. The palace was built between 1792 and 1794 AD. It served as the last refuge of Chikka Veerarajendra, one of the Haleri kings of Kodagu who was deposed by the British. The palace is protected by the Government of Karnataka and was renovated by INTACH. A proposal has been made to make the Nalknad Palace a major tourist destination and a museum that displays the indigenous crafts of Kodagu.

Shivappa Nayaka Palace

The Shivappa Nayaka Palace is currently a government museum located in the Shivamogga city in Karnataka. The palace was named after the Keladi Nayaka dynasty ruler, Shivappa Nayaka, who ruled the region in the 17th century. However, despite the name, the palace was built by the father of Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali in the 18th century. The palace is two-storied and features the Durbar hall (the "nobel court”) with large wooden pillars and arched panels. A large collection of artwork including sculptures, hero stone inscriptions from the Hoysala era, etc., are displayed on the palace grounds.

Daria Daulat Bagh

A beautiful palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh, meaning the 'Garden of the Wealth’ is located in the Srirangapatna city near Mysore, India. The palace is made largely of teakwood. The palace was built in 1784 by Tipu Sultan, often nicknamed as the "Tiger of Mysore.” He ruled Mysore from this palace for a short duration of time.

The Daria Daulat Bagh palace is built in the IndoSaracenic style with a rectangular plan and is built on a raised platform. What makes the palace a jaw-dropping beauty to look at is that all the space available on the pillars, arches, walls, and canopies are decorated with colorful frescoes of the Mysore painting style. Even the wooden ceilings are pasted with canvas painted with floral patterns. Paintings depicting the victory of Tipu Sultan and his father Haider Ali are also featured on the western walls of the palace. Several other paintings in the palace are a rich source of historical information. 

Palace Of Mysore

The Palace Of Mysore or the Ambavilas Palace is the most famous and most visited palaces of India. It receives over 6 million visitors annually. The palace is the official residence of the Wodeyars, the royals of Mysore who ruled the princely state from 1399 to 1950. The palace is famous for its magnificent architecture, grand designs, and impressive decorations.

The Mysore Palace was built by  Maharaja Krishnarajendra Wadiyar IV. The architectural style of the palace is a perfect blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles. The palace is three-storied with marble domes and a 145 feet tower that is five-storied. A large well-kept garden surrounds the palace. The palace has three entrances, and several secret tunnels leading from the palace to confidential locations in other areas. The palace features a large number of unique rooms. The grandeur of the palace is difficult to describe in words. The beauty of the palace is unparalleled.