subject: Mysore - The City Of Palaces [print this page] Situated at the foot of the Chamundi Hills, Mysore is a city located in the Indian state of Karnataka. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore until India gained independence in 1947. Mysore is renowned for its sweets, its textiles and its palaces. Dubbed the 'Palace City of India' Mysore is home to an extraordinary number of palaces. Each palace offers a unique experience and tourists in the city can easily visit most of them within a short span of time.
The Palace of Mysore, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is the most well-known palace in the city. Receiving nearly three million visitors each year, the Palace of Mysore is the former residence of the royal family. It was constructed in 1912 and except for some expansions in the 1940s the palace has remained mostly intact. It was designed by renowned British architect Henry Irwin and combines Muslim, Hindu, Gothic and Rajput architectural styles. The best time to visit is during the annual Mysore Dasara festivities which take place in autumn.
Another popular place to visit is the Jaganmohan Palace. It was constructed by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1861. The three storey palace was inspired by Hindu architectural styles and houses a vast collection of art in a special gallery called the Jayachamarahjendra Art Gallery. The Lalitha Mahal is the second largest palace in the city. It was built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV who laid the foundation stone in 1921. Although the palace has been converted into a hotel it is still considered one of the finest in the city.
Other places to visit include the Lokaranjan Mahal which was constructed in 1881 and houses a special zoo; the Cheluvamba Vilasa, which currently houses the Central Food Technology and Research Institue; the Karanji Vilasa; the Rajendra Vilasa and the Vasantha Mahal.
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