Mysore Palace, Royal palace in Mysore, India.
Mysore Palace is a former royal residence in southern India that combines architectural styles from three continents, marked by towers, domes, and walls clad in gray granite. The central tower rises to 44 meters and supports a gold-plated dome, while the interior unfolds through carved wooden ceilings, stained glass windows, and floor tiles arranged in floral patterns.
After fire destroyed a wooden predecessor in 1897, British architect Henry Irwin drew plans for the current structure, which reached completion in 1912. The new building replaced several earlier versions and reflected the ambition of the ruling family to merge traditional Indian forms with European elements imported through colonial contact.
Members of the royal family continue to occupy a private wing of the building, and the ceremonial halls remain active for official occasions throughout the year. Twelve temples within the grounds receive daily visits from worshippers who maintain ongoing devotional practices, keeping the site alive as a working religious space beyond the museum.
The museum opens daily, and visitors enter through separate gates depending on whether they choose to wear shoes or leave them at designated counters. The interior halls feel less crowded early in the morning or on weekdays outside school holidays, allowing a calmer walk through the furnished rooms and galleries.
Every Sunday evening, several thousand light bulbs illuminate the entire structure, wrapping the facades, towers, and domes in warm light for roughly 45 minutes. Local families and travelers gather on the lawns in front to watch the transformation, turning the weekly event into an informal community gathering that extends beyond the museum visit.
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