Jaganmohan Palace

Erstwhile princely city of Mysore boasts with the many historic monuments there. The notable Jaganmohan Palace is an exclusive attraction in this region. By the year 1861, this palace had already been constructed and made usable for the local royal family of Wodeyars who took hold of it. The King of Mysore occupied this palace for some time until the splendid Mysore Palace, also denoted with Amba Vilas Palace, had been constructed there. At present, this palace has already been converted into an important art gallery cum function hall where hundreds of thousands of visitors keep visiting throughout the year.

History

Built in the year 1861, Jaganmohan Palace had exclusive identity of one of those seven prominent palaces which Mysore kingdom housed. The then King Krishnaraja Wodeyar III built it with a purpose for an alternate staying arrangement for his royal family. It is in the notice for being an extensive work of architecture which the Wodeyar Dynasty brought in this region. In fact, this palace remains one of the key contributions in terms of architecture and art of buildings which this regime offered to this whole area.

History explains about this palace and the contributions of the royal family in this region. Similar such contributions which Mysore welcomed are palaces in Bangalore and Jaipur cities as well with the similarity in style and architecture values. The royal family ruled their local kingdoms from Jaganmohan Palace until 1912. By that time a new palace had already been constructed.

It was in the year 1915 that this palace had been finally converted into art gallery. The newly developed gallery became popular in the pre-independent India. It was renamed to Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in the year 1955 to devote erstwhile King. As the palace turned gallery had huge area and maintains royal splendor even after being turned into an art gallery it was involved for other activities as well. One such important activity is organizing the several early convocations of the Mysore University for many years.

Architecture

Although several stories prevail about the architectural style of Jaganmohan Palace but the most authentic one describe it a replica of the traditional Hindu style. While adding one more hall in the palace in the 1900s, one of its external facades had found ample room for Hindu traditional architectural depiction. It is researched and brought into focus due to the model very much similar to religious motifs and the temple miniatures prevailing in the southern culture of India.

Paintings with the murals inside Jaganmohan Palace turned art gallery walls often describe much more about its historic architecture. They distinguish the palace from rest in many contexts. Such paintings portray the Mysore School of Painting art and traditions which are witnessed too much even today. Uniquely designed in several portions of this palace, the wooden interiors are ultimate attractions which no visitor ignore easily.

Best Time to Visit

Mysore can be visited anytime throughout the year. Avoid monsoons and extreme summertime though there is too much humidity in this place. As winters are moderate one can definitely plan to visit Mysore to arrive at the Jaganmohan Palace cum Art Gallery for a comfortable observation during that period.

Visitor Information

How to Reach

Air

Mysore is connected by air through the nearby Bangalore International Airport which is located at a distance of mere 139 kilometers. Although Mysore Airport is also there, its operations have never remained regular. This airport has been closed and reopened on several occasions.

Rail

Bangalore Railway Station connects Mysore with almost all parts of India while Mysore railhead too links this area with the many other local locations.

Road

National highways connect Mysore with all the major cities of Karnataka and the many locations of nearby states. Several interstate buses operate in this region. One can travel to Mysore through the luxury or general buses which operate on the interstate routes. They offer economical and comfortable journey options.

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