Mysore Palace + Jaganmohana Art Gallery + Devaraja Market = Mysore Heritage Walk

The Govt licensed guide will meet you at the Varaha South entrance Gate of Mysore Palace. Vehicle parking is available only at this gate while tickets are also sold only here. The Mysore palace is the most extravagant & luxurious palace in South India. It is called the "Versailles" of India. It was built in 1912 in Indo-Saracenic style with the Chief Architect being Henry Irwin, an Englishman. The grandeur of Mysore Palace is such that it is embellished with - tiles from England, marble from Italy, Chandeliers from Czeckoslovakia, cast iron pillars & stained glasses from Scotland, teak wood from Burma, jaguar bronze statues from England, etc. The Mysore palace stands in the middle of a sprawling 45 acres of land which houses many temples as well. It is divided into two halves - one (better) half managed by the State Govt while the other belongs to the royal Wodeyar family. Mysore Palace has been ranked among the 10 best palaces in the World by the British blogging site Original Travel.

It currently houses one of the most wonderful collections of paintings from Raja Ravi Verma, Nikolai Roerich, Haldenkar (the famous Lady with the Lamp painting), apart from murals and extraordinary contemporary paintings from famous Indian artists. The Art Gallery also houses exhibits which include weapons of war, classical musical instruments, sculptures, brassware, antique coins, and currencies. A unique artefact exhibited here is a French clock which has a mechanism in which a parade of miniature soldiers is displayed every hour, beating drums marking the seconds, and a bugle marking the minute. Tourists ignore this treasure trove which represents Indian Art and Handicrafts in its abundance.

One of the most fascinating visits to South India, especially in the eyes of Western travelers, is this colorful and vibrant market. A visit to this market has become a quintessential part of Mysore itineraries. So much so that sometimes international travelers seem to prefer a visit to this market more than other well-known monuments. This 365-days-a-year market is laid out on a rectangular grid and has separate sections for Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers. It is so photogenic that tourists let loose themselves often forgetting the paths they took. Add to this the street vendors, perfume makers, chai-wallahs, garland makers, color pigment sellers, etc. all vie with each other to garner your attention and sell their wares to you. If ever you want to see a microcosm of India at work, visit a market such as this. Come and experience it yourself!