Mysuru is known to be adorned with historical palaces. They are such in number that this city is commonly described and popular as the "City of Palaces". It is important to note that the term "Mysuru Palace" specifically refers to the palace located within the old fort. This palace was commissioned in the year 1897 and its construction was completed in the year 1912. This palace has developed as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mysuru.
The palace structure is known to be constructed merging together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. This three-storied stone structure is the official residence of the Wadiyars. They are identified as the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru. This palace is adorned with uniquely designed rooms, namely Public Durbar Hall, Private Durbar or Ambavilasa Palace, Gombe Thotti (Doll"s Pavilion), Kalyana Mantapa and the Casket Room). The Portrait Gallery is one such room which has captured the Wadiyars family in paintings.
Portrait Gallery of Mysore Palace
The Portrait Gallery of Mysore Palace is located in the southern part of the Kalyana Mantapa. This gallery is capable of making the visitors knowledgeable about the official residents of this palace, the Wadiyars, due to the royal paintings of the Wadiyars kings, queens and the princes in this gallery. The Mysore paintings created a vision for the world painters. The pictures show the verbatim records of medieval and early history and culture of Mysore in Karnataka.
Exhibits of Mysore Palace
The royal family of the Mysore Palace has been depicted in the several valuable oil paintings as well as the photographs. The portraits of Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth is an extraordinarily generous patron of art. He has been recorded in history as a great visionary. The painting of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, which is only one year old, sits on pram with his two older sisters. There are also the portraits of black and white image of Jayacharamajra Wodeyar`s wedding to a Jaipur princess, which attracts the people. The wedding of the royal prince took place in the marriage hall with the bountiful wedding feast lavishly laid out on the tables in the foreground. The portrait gallery is proud to exhibit two works of the famous royal artist Raja Ravi Varma, who was the famous south Indian painter in the 18th century, more specifically in 1885. Also, the visitors can find the exquisite pictures of the Mysore State belonging to the 17th, 18th and 19th century AD.
Visiting Information
Mysore city has an airport called the Mysore Airport (MYQ). This airport is known to be relatively new and less busy. Only chartered flights operate from this airport. Other major cities of the country are well connected to Mysore by regular flights. The railway stations in Mysore are Mysore Junction (MYS) and Ashokapuram (AP). Regular trains connect Mysore to other major cities of the country. Bangalore is well-connected to most of the cities in India. There are many express trains between Bangalore and Mysore. Some of the trains connecting Bangalore and Mysore are Tippu Express, Chamundi Express, Kaveri Express and Mysore Express. Mysore is also known to be well connected to other major towns and cities of Karnataka by buses. Mysore is connected to Tamil Nadu and Kerala by interstate bus services. From Bangalore one can reach Mysore via a KSRTC bus or a taxi. One can also avail a bus from Kempegowda Bus Station close to the Bangalore City Railway Station to Mysore. There are several options of state transport bus services as well as private tour operators.
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