John's World...Mysore Palace


As future posts will no doubt tell you, we had a great time in Mysore (Mysuru) this weekend.  Certainly the highlight of the trip was a visit to the famous Mysore Palace. 

We had gotten a sneak peak of the palace on our way into the city the night before.  As we drove past it, our spirits immediately lifted after the three and a half hour car ride.  To see the palace lit up at night was something to behold.  You are immediately taken back by its sheer size.  It’s beautifully presented in all of its grandeur at night.  We were eager now to explore the palace the next morning.

The early start was a good call on our part as most of the grounds of the palace are open with little respite from the full sun. 

The layout of the Palace grounds is such, the front of the grounds are made up of several temples each dedicated to a particular deity.  Off to one corner is an elephant bungalow where we were able to see the Royal elephants having their morning breakfast.
One of the many palace temples in Dravidian-style

Posing inside a temple entryway

The expansive parade grounds sets the stage for the even more overwhelming size of the palace itself.  In back of the palace is the current residential quarters of the current Wadiyar (King of Mysore). 

Yes.  They're elephants...
The palace in Bangalore is considered the “summer palace” for the Wadiyar and thus much smaller in comparison to Mysore Palace.  However, both palaces of the Wadiyar have interesting stories behind them.  Both palaces stand on foundations that had been palaces of previous Rajas.  Additionally, palaces were built by the British using local workers and materials but British architects.

The architecture of Mysore Palace is unique.  The palace itself was begun in 1799.  The British at the time had defeated the local Raj Tipu Sultan to take control of the Kingdom of Mysore (which makes up most of the current state of Karnataka).  In place of the Raj, the British set up their own (essentially puppet monarchy of the Wadiyar).  These Wadiyars then ruled the Kingdom of Mysore until the time of Indian Independence at which time the title of Wadiyar became mostly ceremonial.  The rule of the Wadiyars brought mostly peaceful relations with the British along with scrupulous dealings in mostly the silk trade.  The Wadiyars were quite wealthy and the Kingdom was quite prosperous throughout their rule.  
A princely Wadiyar



The inside of the palace reflects the wealth accumulated by the Wadiyar’s and their close relations with the British.  Previous incarnations of palaces were not deemed by the British to be “royal” enough for their Wadiyar.  Hence the need for British architects to come in and give the palace a feel that is not quite Indian, not quite European.  It is “orientalism” at its best.  Mixes of colors, local materials, and designs make the Westerner think they are in an Indian palace.  However, if one looks closer, structures are held up by Roman columns and wall panels depict friendly relations with the British Empire.  Remove the onion tops from the palace and you can see the similarities with other European palaces.  
 
One of many reception halls inside the palace.  Notice the European influence.

 The interior again reflects the need of the British to show how “royal” their Wadiyars really were. 
Case of "dolls" worshipped by Wadiyars
The main palace has several meeting rooms or halls for various functions.
Oil painting mural depicting the relations between the kingdom and Britain
  On display are rooms full of jewel boxes, paintings (western oil on canvas), and a room of “dolls” (not statues) who were ceremonially worshiped at various times of the year by the Wadiyars.
Room showing various jewel boxes
  Of course, like many palaces, the jewel of the tour is the sight of the throne.  Again, this piece is still in use by the current Wadiyar.   


The Throne




All in all, the Palace is breathtaking.  Comparatively, it may just rival anything I’ve seen up to this point.  Its grandeur and beauty is only rivaled by the amazing story behind its construction. 

Next entry will be my question and answer entry.  So please feel free to send me your questions to jneiswender@hotmail.com with the subject heading “Fulbright”.

Lastly, Congratulations to Bengaluru FC for capturing the Indian Super League Championship.  It’s our hometown team.  We’ve seen them twice this year and I personally haven’t missed a game on TV.  Bringing the Title Town luck with us.  WAY TO GO YOU BLUES!

We Are The Champions!

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