Mysore is called the City of Palaces
Mysore is called the City of Palaces as a result of the number of palaces situated in the city, some of them are:Palaces in MysoreProminent Amba Vilas (Main Mysore Palace),Rajendra Vilas (also called the summer palace, situated on top of the Chamundi hills),Jaganmohana Palace,Jayalakshmi Vilas (now in the University of Mysore premises),Lalitha Mahal (now converted to a hotel).Other Chittaranjan Palace (now the Green Hotel, was also the Premier Studios),Cheluvamba Mansion (now in the CFTRI premises),Karanji Mansion (now the Postal Training Institute),Lokaranjan Mahal (next to the Mysore Zoo),Crawford Hall ( University Administrative Building).
The original main palace of Mysore was burnt down in 1897 and the present day structure was built over the same site. The present day Palace exibhits a mixture of architectural styles from Dravidian, Indo-Sarcenic, Roman and Oriental. Even though the Government of Mysore now maintains the Mysore palace, a small portion of the palace has been allocated for the erstwhile Royal family to live in.
The Jayalakshhmi Vilas Mansion, was constructed by Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar for his daughter Jayalakshammanni. The Jayalakshmi Vilas is now a museum dedicated to folk culture. A new gallery is being added for artefacts and collections of the Wodeyars of Mysore.
Mysore Dasara
Dasara is the Nadahabba (state festival) of Mysore State and Mysore is well known for the festivities that take place during the Dasara period. Also termed as Navaratri (meaning nine-nights), it is a 10-day festival usually held during the months of Sep-Oct. During this period, various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the state of Mysore are held. Even musicians and dancers from out-of-state are invited to give performances. Mysore Palace is illuminated on all the 10 days and prominent cultural programs are held in the grounds surrounding the palace. The festivities are started with a pooja performed to the Goddess Chamundeshwari atop the Chamundi Hills in the presence of the Wodeyar royal couple, high ranking officials in the Mysore State Government and other invitees. When Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyars, it was a practice for the King to give a special audience to the people during the Dasara which was popularly termed as Dasara durbar. This Durbar was participated by dignitaries and was a very disciplined and orderly affair. The current scion of the Wodeyar family now holds a private Durbar.
One of the main attractions of the festival is the Dasara exhibition which starts during the Dasara and continues for around 2 months. It is held in Doddakere Maidan (grounds opposite to the Mysore Palace) and contains stalls selling articles like clothing, plastic and glass ware, food stalls, stalls highlighting the various departments of Mysore Government and also a play area where people can participate in games and amusement rides.
Another attraction is the wrestling tournament which is held in the Devraj Urs stadium adjoining the Dasara exhibition grounds. It is participated by wrestlers from around India and attracts a sizeable audience.
posted by Priyanka Jain @ 5:16 AM
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