Alright, so for every year Oct we decide to travel somewhere, whether it is my native place or some tourist spot. And this Oct we decided to go to Mysore for 3 days, 22, 23 and 24 and I will Share my Experience of whole of Mysore Later on(Link Coming soon).
Well, if you visit Mysore, you should definitely visit the Mysore Palace for sure. Its is the number Priority Tourist spot in Mysore and one of the Top Tourist spots in Karnataka and even whole of India. If you go to Mysore and miss this palace, then you are the number one Fool!
So here is my Experience -
=> Location -
The palace is Located at the heart of Mysore, so you won't find any difficulty finding this palace. Previously, when I visited Mysore in 2004, The city was not much developed and hence reaching this Palace was very very easy. But now, since Mysore has become Sophisticated, reaching there would take some time. But finding this palace is very easy. All you gonna do is, follow you map.! Googlemaps and heremaps are helpful too.
The palace can also be seen from Chamundi Hill.
=> About the Palace -
Well I am not the usual guy who explains the history of this kingdom, its dynasty, the palace, about Maharaja Rajarshi and so on. Most of us know it. But to know more, visit Wikipedia.
=> My Visit -
When I visited the palace back in 2004 as college tour, yes the palace was little crowded, but not very crowded. hence, we could enjoy the palace as a whole. Relaxed.
But this time, we had to visit Mysore and its palace during Dussehra time. And 22nd, 23rd were the crucial days at Mysore and hence the crowd was at the fullest, even on the 24th being the next day of Dussehra and also being at Saturday, an holiday.
Our plan was to visit the Palace on 22nd evening(the day we reach there). But unfortunately, due to Dussehra, on 22nd and 23rd, the CM of Karnataka had planned to visit the palace and hence the Fortress was closed down for public by the forces.
And on 23rd, the kingdom family was to Facilitated by the CM and a parade comprising of Elephants and horses was to be held. And because of all there, for these 2 days, the Palace was shutdown for public, the roads were traffic regulated, Road block, etc. Visiting this palace during Dussehra is almost impossible.
So finally, we only had the option of visiting the Palace on 24th.
=> The Fortress -
My god, Raja is Raja and Kingdom is Kingdom..
The Palace is spread at about 72 acres at the center of the City. Has about 7 Gates I suppose with about 4 main original arched gates and 3 other gates built in recent time I guess(no sure). Its a pretty big Campus and even covering the whole circumference of this palace in Car took about 10 minutes I guess.
During Dussehra time, especially on 22 and 23, the whole palace is lit with wall bulbs. Each bulbs are closer to 60 to 100 watts I guess and when we reached close to the gate full of lit bulbs, my gosh, the heat from bulbs could be sensed. And it felt awesome at the night. The warmth. Since we were not allowed to enter into the palace premises, we only had the option of taking photos of the palace from the gate.
On 24th morning 10 am, we reached the palace. Parked our car at parking lot and got in the big line for ticket. I guess it was the longest line at any tourist spot I saw so far. So long, full crowd. So after long wait, we finally, we got the ticket and entered the palace.
The Front and around of place is filled with flowers Gardens especially rose. And no one is allowed to enter into the gardens.
- Then comes the entry into the palace.
a) First comes the separate arena to keep the footwear. Make sure you remember where you keep you footwear, or else there are chance that you will lose yours.
b) then comes the Security checks. Everyone has to pass through metal detectors and bags have to pass through Scanning machines.(Read below)
c) Visitors are then advised to turn off their phones and cameras.
- Inside the Palace -
Everyone has to walk through an regulated visiting line, just like Tirupati Temple. So here are things we have go to see -
Articles Gifted to Maharaja -> Palace Center hall -> Photo Articles -> Articles used by maharaja and his Family -> Pass through Gallery and Roof art Works -> Weapons and Tanks used my Maharaja -> Maharaja's Arena for Addressing the public -> and finally Raja's throne(covered by cloths for some reason).
- Then put back the footwear on and head half way around the palace way out. Just at the exit of the Palace building there are some heritage items, books and photos of the palace available for sales.
- Then on the way out there comes -
1) An Temple(out of 12 Temples). I am not sure what temple is that. Since were running out of time and due to crowd, we had to skip this temple.
2) Then Elephant ride. Just took pics and kept on moving. No time to ride this too.
3) Shopping Arena. There are about 5 to 6 shops I suppose. They are all basically Fancy stores. We purchased some perfume and a small handcraft show piece items.
4) Then an another temple closer by to the Entrance gate. Thats probably the Shiva temple. We skipped that too.
5) Then we walked to front of the Palace and took some photos and Selfies and walked out happily.
- other Facilities available inside -
a) Rest room available. Very clean and well maintained. But very crowded. Have to wait in the line there too.
b) Large Car parking facility. can hold about over 50 cars and vans I suppose. I guess there are other parking lots too for the palace at various other gates. No parking at the front main Gate of the Palace.
c) Electric Vehicle Facility to go around the palace as a whole once.
d) Shopping and Elephant ride(already mentioned above). Snack shop is available inside but no restaurants inside or outside the Palace premises.
=> Fees -
Entry for Adults is Rs.40 and Kids in Rs.20. No fee for Photography(read below).
Parking Fee is Separate, Rs.20 for cars I guess.(not sure because my brother paid it).
Separate fee for Elephant ride and electric car ride.
=> Points to Remember -
- Best time to Visit -
there is nothing as such. this palace can be visited anytime of the year. But it is recommended to visited in winter time because the temperature at mysore is awesome between Oct and Feb.
But it is COOL inside Palace. Just like its centrally Air Conditioned. But the Palace does not even have a Fans.! Uh amazing. Thats called a "Kingdom Architecture".
Its is Also advisable to visit this Palace during Dussehra time but make you keep in mind that, at most of times, the public is not allowed into the palace during Dussehra. But people come here to see this Palace during Dussehra only to see the "palace lit with bulbs" and the Parade.
But during Dussehra get ready to face things like - Heavy Traffic, road blocks, Closed Palace, No parking and so on.
- Photography -
Well Photography is Strictly prohibited inside the palace building premises. If you are caught taking photos inside the building, your device will be Cease and as a first step you photos will be deleted, device turned off and given back to you with a heavy warning.
You are found continuously taking photos inside the place, you device will the taken away and only be returned after heavy fine and explanations. There are also possibilities that you will never get back your device in this ordeal.
But Photography is allowed outside the Palace building(inside the premises) and no fees for that.
Make sure you don't carry any weapons inside, even knifes. Its because the bags are passed though "Luggage scanning"(just like airports) with Armed security(probably CISF or BSF), so if you are found with any weapon, then get ready for the worst of worst Consequences.
Take care of your little ones and you old parents. Because during season times the palace becomes heavily crowded, Just like Tirupati. So there will lot of pulls and pushes, so don't let them go of you hands. Safety first.
My mom is short and small and hence she personally faced the problem in the crowds and therefore I and my brother had to body guard her.!
Verdict -
Overall, Mysore palace with must visit place in the India. The Best place to experience Architecture, grandeur and photography. All you have to Make sure is - you select the best time to visit this place.
