Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace)

What is Amba Vilas Palace?

Amba Vilas Palace, more commonly known as Mysore Palace, is the grand ceremonial residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the most iconic landmark in Mysuru, Karnataka. Set at the heart of the city and facing the Chamundi Hills, it draws over six million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited sites in India after the Taj Mahal.

The palace is not just a monument. It is a living symbol of Karnataka's royal legacy, a centre of cultural celebration and an architectural masterpiece that has held travellers, historians and photographers spellbound for over a century. Whether this is your first visit to Mysuru or you are returning for the legendary Dasara festival, Amba Vilas Palace belongs at the top of your itinerary.

History of Amba Vilas Palace

The story begins in the 14th century, when the first royal residence was built on this site by Yaduraya Wodeyar, founder of the Kingdom of Mysore. That palace stood inside the Old Fort, was built of wood, and caught fire several times over the centuries.

The most significant fire came in 1896, during the wedding celebrations of Jayalakshammani, eldest daughter of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar. The old wooden palace was completely destroyed. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and his mother, Maharani Kempananjammani Devi, commissioned the British architect Henry Irwin to design a new palace, and the family moved to Jaganmohan Palace while it was built.

Construction began in 1897 and was completed in 1912, at a cost of about ₹41.47 lakhs. The palace was named Amba Vilas in tribute to the goddess Amba (Chamundeshwari), the royal family's presiding deity.

Today the Wadiyar family still lives in a small private section, while the rest runs as a heritage museum under the Government of Karnataka.

Quick fact: The current Amba Vilas Palace was built between 1897 and 1912 by British architect Henry Irwin in the Indo-Saracenic style. It replaced an older wooden palace that burned down in 1896 and is the ancestral home of the Wadiyar dynasty of Mysore.

Architecture: a fusion of four styles

Few palaces anywhere show such a rich architectural conversation. Henry Irwin drew on four traditions, Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic, and blended them into what is now called Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture.

Exterior structure

The palace is a three-storey structure about 75 metres long and 48 metres wide, built mainly of fine grey granite. The domes, including the dominant gold-plated central dome, are made of deep pink marble. Five-storey square towers rise at each corner, giving the palace an imposing, fortress-like silhouette.

The facade

The arched facade carries a large sculpture of Goddess Gajalakshmi flanked by elephants, a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The coat of arms of the Mysore Kingdom and the Sanskrit motto Nabhibe Ti Kadachana (never be afraid) greet visitors at the main Jaya Maarthaanda Gate.

Stained glass and ceilings

Perhaps the most striking interior element is the stained glass ceiling of the Kalyana Mantapa (marriage pavilion), crafted entirely in Scotland and installed in Mysuru. Its peacock and floral motifs, together with a grand chandelier from Czechoslovakia, create an effect no photograph fully captures.

Bronze tigers

At the main entrance, life-size bronze tigers by British artist Robert William Colton stand guard on either side of the walkway, a nod to the royal family's warrior heritage.

Top attractions inside the palace

1. Kalyana Mantapa (marriage pavilion). The octagonal marriage hall has a multicoloured stained glass ceiling, green-painted iron pillars and an ornate Czechoslovakian chandelier. Its mosaic floor, centred on an eight-pointed star, is consistently rated the highlight of any visit.
2. Durbar Hall (public audience hall). Added in 1938, about 25 years after the original construction, this is where the Maharaja held public ceremonies. It has an ornate ceiling, sculpted pillars and a fine collection of royal artefacts and portraits.
3. Ambavilasa (private durbar hall). The most opulent room in the palace, where the King met his council of ministers. Gilded blue-and-gold wrought iron pillars (hollow to absorb sound), a stained glass ceiling and floral chandeliers. Entry is through a rosewood door inlaid with ivory that opens to a small shrine of Lord Ganesha.
4. Gombe Thotti (dolls' pavilion). Once a display space during Dasara, it now holds royal dolls, ivory pieces and ceremonial artefacts from several generations of the Wadiyar dynasty.
5. Ane Bagilu (elephant gate). The principal gate of the palace interior, opened only for the Dasara procession and for the royal family.
6. Golden throne. The jewel-encrusted golden throne of the Wadiyars is displayed publicly only during Dasara and is one of the most photographed royal artefacts in India.
7. Palace temples. The complex has over twelve temples, the oldest from the 14th century and the newest from 1953. The best known is the Shwetha Varahaswamy Temple, dedicated to the white boar avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Timings and entry hours

The palace is open every day of the year, including national holidays.

Timings are for reference only and may change for holidays, maintenance, weather or management decisions. Please check before you visit.

Photography: not permitted inside the palace interior. You are free to take photos in the grounds and gardens.

How long to spend: most visitors take 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on interest and crowds.

Ticket prices

Tickets are sold at the South Gate, the main public entrance, from 10:00 AM.

Prices are approximate and for reference only, and may vary by season. Please check before visiting.

Audio guide: available in English, Hindi, Kannada, German, Italian, Japanese and French.

Which gate is which

• South Gate (Balarama): main entrance for the public.
• East Gate (Jaya Maarthaanda): for VVIPs and the royal family, opened for the Dasara procession.
• West Gate (Varaha): mainly open during Dasara, and home to the Sound and Light Show ticket counter.
• North Gate (Jayarama): secondary entrance.

Palace illumination

The evening illumination is one of the most spectacular sights in Karnataka. When the sun sets and 97,000 bulbs light the facade at once, the palace becomes a glowing golden outline against the night sky.

• Every Sunday evening
• All government public holidays
• Throughout the Dasara festival (usually October to November)

When: about 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM. Arrive by 6:30 PM on a Sunday for a good spot in the grounds.

Sound and light show

The history of the Mysore Kingdom is told through dramatic lighting on the palace facade.

Tickets are sold only at the Varaha Gate counter from 6:30 PM. Seating is limited, so arrive early. The show runs alongside the Sunday illumination and is popular with families.

Dasara at Amba Vilas Palace

If there is one reason to visit Mysuru in October or November, it is Dasara, known locally as Nadahabba, the state festival of Karnataka. For ten days ending on Vijayadashami, the palace is the heart of the celebrations:

• Jamboo Savari: the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari rides in a golden howdah on a decorated elephant, with camels, horses, dancers and musicians, from the palace through the city.
• Illumination: the palace stays lit with 97,000 bulbs through the festival season.
• Cultural programmes: artists from across India perform in the palace forecourt.
• Torchlight parade: a military parade on the evening of Vijayadashami.

Crowds grow sharply during Dasara. Book your stay well ahead and visit the palace early in the morning.

How to reach

Address: Amba Vilas Palace Road, Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka 570001

• Auto-rickshaw: the easiest option anywhere in Mysuru. Every driver knows "Mysore Palace". Usually 10 to 20 minutes.
• City bus: KSRTC routes 201, 202 and 203 pass nearby. Confirm the stop with the conductor.
• Car or cab: the palace is central, near the City Bus Stand on Sayyaji Rao Road, with parking outside the compound.
• From Bengaluru: about 150 km. KSRTC buses, cabs and the Shatabdi Express take 2.5 to 4 hours.

Best time to visit

• October to November: Dasara season, when the palace is at its grandest. Book months ahead.
• September to February: pleasant weather (18 to 28°C), ideal for the grounds and nearby sights.
• March to May: warm (28 to 35°C), but the interiors stay cool and crowds are lighter.
• June to August: monsoon. Green, quieter, and the palace stays open.

Best day: Sunday, for the evening illumination. Come at 10 to 11 AM for the interiors, then return in the evening. Avoid long weekends and school holidays if you prefer smaller crowds.

Insider tips

1. Arrive at opening time for shorter queues and emptier halls.
2. Take the audio guide or a registered guide. The layered history is worth hearing.
3. Shoes come off before the interiors. The marble floors are smooth and easy to walk barefoot.
4. No photos inside. It is strictly enforced, so enjoy the rooms as they are.
5. Stay for Sunday's lights if you can. Be in the grounds by 6:30 PM.
6. Combine nearby sights like the zoo, Jaganmohan Palace, Chamundi Hills and Brindavan Gardens.
7. Carry water. The grounds cover 44 acres.
8. Weekdays are quieter, especially Tuesday to Thursday.

Nearby attractions

Frequently asked questions

What is Amba Vilas Palace famous for?

Its Indo-Saracenic architecture, the grand Durbar Hall, the jewel-encrusted golden throne, the Sunday illumination with 97,000 bulbs, and the Dasara celebrations that draw millions of visitors each October.

Who built Amba Vilas Palace?

It was designed by British architect Henry Irwin and commissioned by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and Maharani Kempananjammani Devi. It was built from 1897 to 1912, after the old wooden palace burned down in 1896.

How much are the tickets?

Indian adults pay ₹50, Indian children aged 7 to 12 pay ₹30, children under 7 enter free, and foreign nationals pay ₹200 including an audio guide.

What are the timings?

Every day from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, including public holidays.

When is the palace lit up?

Every Sunday evening and on public holidays from about 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM, and throughout the Dasara festival.

Can I take photos inside?

No. Photography is not allowed inside the palace, but you can take photos freely in the grounds and gardens.

How much time do I need?

At least 1.5 hours, and up to 3 hours to see the halls, museum sections, temples and grounds properly.

Is it still a royal residence?

Partly. The Wadiyar family lives in a private section, and the rest is a heritage museum run by the Government of Karnataka.

Are Amba Vilas Palace and Mysore Palace the same?

Yes. Mysore Palace is the common name. Amba Vilas is the official name, honouring Goddess Amba (Chamundeshwari), the royal family's deity.

Before you go

Amba Vilas Palace is more than a monument. It layers history, architecture, faith and royal grandeur into one unforgettable visit, whether you see the golden dome at dawn, walk the Ambavilasa Hall in the afternoon, or watch 97,000 bulbs light up on a Sunday evening. Put it at the centre of your Mysuru plan and give it the time it deserves, then pair it with Chamundi Hills, the zoo and Brindavan Gardens for a full day.