Mysore Palace
Introduction
Mysore Palace is a historical and royal residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat to the King of Mysore. The palace is situated around the center of the city of Mysore. Mysore is often referred to as the ‘City of Palaces’, including seven palaces around the city.
History
Its royal lineage is traced back to 1399, when the royal prince Yadavraya, of the Yadava dynasty, visited the pilgrimage Chamundi Temple along with his brother Vijaya. When they took shelter in the Kodi Bhairava Temple on the banks of Doddakere Lake, they came to know that the royal lineage of the local royal family was in danger.
The ruler had just passed away, and Marayanaka, the neighboring chief, was threatening the queen. He wanted to marry the queen’s daughter, but the queen and the princess were in a vulnerable position. When Jangama killed Marayanaka, and married the daughter of Chamraja, it helped him to succeed the Mysore principality. That’s how the Wadiyar dynasty was established till 1947, when Mysore was taken into the Indian Union.
The Wadiyar dynasty had a great respect and patronized the arts. This resulted in hiring the finest craftsmen of the state to work on Palaces. Mysore Palace was one of them. It was designed by the English architect, Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace usually dominates Mysore. It is a three- storied structure with the Indo- Saracenic style built on 1897–1912. The palace is an aesthetically built structure.
The architectural style of domes of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic, with blends of the Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic styles. It is a three-story stone structure with marble domes, and has a 145-foot five-story tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden. The entrance gate and arch hold the emblem and coat of arms of the kingdom of Mysore, around which is written the kingdom’s motto in Sanskrit: “न बिभॆति कदाचन” (never terrified).
The main complex is 245 Ft in length and also 156 Ft in width. There are fire extinguishing machines located in all parts of the palace in order to prevent any fires.[5] The palace has three entrances: the East Gate (the front gate, opened only during the Dasara and for dignitaries), the South Entrance (for public), and the West Entrance (usually opened only during the Dasara).
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The three-story stone building of a fine grey granite with deep pink marble domes has a facade with several expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which is supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is a sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and abundance with her elephants. There are three major exclusive temple buildings within the Old Fort, and about 18 inside the palace heart building. The palace was built adjacent to the even older Parakala Mutt headquarters, whose leaders have remained the rajagurus (royal teacher and guide) of Mysore kings. The kings of Mysore were devotees of Goddess Chamundi, hence the palace’s facing the Chamundi Hills.[6]
