Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) · Mysore, Karnataka, India
A palace lit by nearly 100,000 lights, symbol of South Indian royal culture.
Know before you go
- No photography inside the palace (the outside is fine)
- you must remove your shoes, and in summer the ground is hot, so wear socks.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Mysore Palace is the palace of the Wadiyar dynasty. After the old wooden palace burned down in 1897, a new Indo-Saracenic palace designed by the British architect Henry Irwin was completed in 1912. Stained glass, carved teak doors, peacock-patterned ceilings and domes dazzle inside; during the Dasara festival every September–October the palace is lit by about 97,000 bulbs, India's most celebrated royal festival.
Local customs
- On the last day of Dasara there is a grand elephant procession (Jamboo Savari), with an elephant carrying a golden howdah bearing the goddess through the city
- the palace is also lit on Sunday and public-holiday evenings.
Religion & beliefs
- Dasara is a Hindu festival celebrating the goddess Durga's victory over a demon, and the royal family's rites in the palace have continued for centuries
- parts of the palace are closed to visitors during the festival.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
India: some states ban alcohol completely
- Before visiting Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland or Lakshadweep, learn the alcohol rules
- Drinking or carrying alcohol in a dry area
- Drinking in parks and other public places
Drinking or possessing alcohol in a dry state can lead to arrest without bail and 5 to 10 years in prison.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
India: e-cigarettes are banned
- Leave your e-cigarette at home
- Bringing an e-cigarette into India or buying one there
E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
India: no satellite phones or GPS devices without a permit
- Before you leave, check whether your equipment needs a permit
- Carrying a satellite phone or satellite navigation device without a permit (even in transit)
Illegal; you can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated. British tourists have been arrested for this.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- No photography inside the palace (the outside is fine)
- you must remove your shoes, and in summer the ground is hot, so wear socks.
Locals appreciate DO
- The people of Mysore are proud of their silk, sandalwood and fine Mysore painting
- the old Devaraja Market is worth exploring.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The lights are on in the evening (about 7–8 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays, longer during Dasara) — check the official website
- accommodation is scarce during Dasara, so book months ahead.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Mysore masala dosa
- Bisibele Bath
- Mysore Pak
Mysore masala dosa (crêpe with red garlic chutney), bisi bele bath (mixed rice and lentils), Mysore pak (fudge-like sweet, Mysore's famous dessert), filter coffee, banana-leaf thali
| Where to eat | Snacks at Devaraja Market near the palace, restaurants on Sayyaji Rao Road, the old dosa house Vinayaka Mylari |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Take off your shoes at temples inside the market |
| Typical price per person | INR 300–700 ≈ CNY 25–59 |
| Tips | Mysore pak comes in crumbly and soft versions — buy a small box; on Sunday nights, have dinner before the palace lights come on to avoid the crowds. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Marajozkee · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 4.0
IM3847 · CC BY-SA 4.0
This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email [email protected] or write on my talk p · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
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