In the heart of Mysore city, on a site that has housed successive royal palaces for over 600 years, stands the Amba Vilas Palace — built between 1897 and 1912, designed by British architect Henry Irwin, and recognised by the Government of India as the most visited tourist attraction in the country after the Taj Mahal in many years of tourist surveys. More than 5 million visitors annually is the consistent figure cited for Mysore Palace.
The palace receives this scale of attention for reasons that go beyond mere heritage status. The architecture — Indo-Saracenic, combining Hindu, Islamic, Rajput, and Gothic influences in a three-storeyed building with five domes, a 45-metre-high central dome, and an ornate exterior covered in carved stone work — is genuinely spectacular. The interiors, accessible to visitors through a structured tour of the main rooms, include the Golden Throne, the Durbar Hall’s Venetian mosaic floor and Belgian stained glass ceiling, and painted walls depicting the royal ceremonies of the Wadiyar dynasty. And on Sunday evenings and public holidays, 97,000 lightbulbs illuminate the palace exterior — an experience that is simply unlike anything else in Karnataka.
Mysore Palace Ticket Price 2026 — Official Entry Fee
Source: Confirmed from the official Karnataka government website (mysorepalace.karnataka.gov.in) snippet and multiple 2025–2026 sources.
Regular Palace Entry
| Category | Entry Fee |
| Indian Adults | ₹100 per person |
| Children (10–18 years) | ₹50 per person |
| Children below 10 years | Free |
| Foreign Tourists | ₹300 per person (includes audio kit) |
Audio Kit: Available for Indian visitors at an additional cost; included in the foreign tourist entry fee. Languages available: English, Hindi, Kannada, German, Italian, Japanese, French.
Still Camera: ₹70 (separate charge; no photography is permitted inside the main palace hall)
Video Camera: ₹250
Sound and Light Show — Separate Ticket
The Sound and Light Show (Son et Lumière) is held on weekdays (Monday to Saturday), except Sundays, National Holidays, and State Festivals.
| Language / Timing | Timings | Adult | Child (7–12 years) |
| Kannada (Mon–Wed) | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | ₹100 | ₹40 |
| Kannada (Saturday) | 8:15 PM – 9:15 PM | ₹100 | ₹40 |
| English (Thu–Sat) | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | ₹120 | ₹50 |
Foreign tourists (Sound & Light Show): ₹100 per head (Indian/Foreign adults same rate per official Karnataka government snippet)
Sound & Light Show tickets are issued only at the Varaha Gate Counter (South Side) from 6:30 PM onwards.
Sunday / Holiday Illumination — FREE
The palace illumination (97,000 bulbs) on Sundays and public holidays is completely free to view.
Illumination timing: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Sundays and public holidays)
No ticket required for the free Sunday illumination — visitors gather on the palace grounds and surrounding areas to watch.
Mysore Palace — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Amba Vilas Palace (Mysore Maharaja Palace) |
| Address | Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka – 570001 |
| Official Website | mysorepalace.karnataka.gov.in |
| Online Booking | mysorepalace.karnataka.gov.in/book-tickets.php |
| Open Days | All 7 days |
| Timings | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily |
| Indian Adult Entry | ₹100 |
| Child (10–18 years) | ₹50 |
| Children below 10 | Free |
| Foreign Tourist | ₹300 (includes audio kit) |
| Sunday Illumination | Free, 7:00 PM–8:00 PM |
| Sound & Light Show | ₹100–₹120 (Mon–Sat), Varaha Gate from 6:30 PM |
| Entry Gate | Varaha Gate (West / South side) |
| Still Camera Fee | ₹70 |
| Video Camera Fee | ₹250 |
| Nearest Airport | Mysore Airport, ~9.6 km |
| Nearest Railway | Mysore Junction, ~1.2 km |
| Annual Visitors | 5 million+ |
Mysore Palace Timings 2026
| Day | Opening | Closing | Last Entry |
| All 7 days | 10:00 AM | 5:30 PM | ~5:00 PM |
Sound and Light Show (Mon–Sat):
- Mon–Wed + Sat Kannada show: 7:00 PM (and 8:15 PM on Saturday)
- Thu–Sat English show: 7:00 PM
- Ticket counter (Varaha Gate South) opens: 6:30 PM
Sunday Illumination: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (free, no ticket)
History of Mysore Palace
Six Centuries of Successive Palaces
The site where Amba Vilas Palace stands today has been a royal seat since 1399, when the Wadiyar dynasty was founded. The site has housed at least four successive palaces:
First palace (pre-1638): A wooden structure that was struck by lightning and destroyed in 1638.
Second palace (1638–c.1793): Rebuilt by Kantirava Narasaraja Wodeyar with expanded pavilions. Captured and neglected during Tipu Sultan’s control of Mysore (1793 onwards); further deteriorated until Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799.
Third palace (1803–1897): Built in Hindu architectural style for Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. This palace stood for nearly a century until it burned down during the 1897 wedding of Princess Jayalakshammanni, the eldest daughter of Chamaraja Wadiyar.
Current palace (1912): The fourth and present structure, commissioned by Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vani Vilasa Sannidhana and designed by British architect Henry Irwin. Completed in 1912 at a cost of approximately ₹41,47,913 — an enormous sum at the time. This is the palace visitors see today.
Henry Irwin and Indo-Saracenic Architecture
Henry Irwin (1841–1922) was one of the principal architects of the Indo-Saracenic style in British India — a deliberate hybrid that combined the structural vocabulary of European architecture (arches, domes, columns) with the decorative vocabulary of Mughal and Hindu palace design (carved stone jalis, chattris, onion domes, elephants and lotus motifs).
At Mysore Palace, Irwin’s Indo-Saracenic achievement is particularly successful: three storeys, five domes (four corner domes and a central dome rising 45 metres), grey granite exterior with pink marble domes, and a facade covered in carved relief work at every register. The three ornate entrance arches on the main facade — each differently proportioned — give the exterior the feel of a composition rather than a repetitive pattern.
The Wadiyar Dynasty
The palace is the official residence of the current head of the Wadiyar family — a lineage that ruled Mysore with two significant interruptions (Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan’s usurpation, 1761–1799) for 600 years. The Wadiyars are historically known as patrons of arts, music, Carnatic classical tradition, and craftsmanship. Many of the finest craftsmen in Karnataka were employed by the royal household across generations, and the palace interiors reflect this sustained investment in artisanal excellence.
Since Indian independence (1947) and the merger of princely states, the Wadiyar family continues to reside in the palace and participates actively in Mysore’s Dasara celebration — still organised with royal ceremonial participation.
Palace Interior — Room by Room
Entrance and Elephant Gate
The primary public entrance is through the Varaha Gate (west side). The elephant gate — the south entrance used for the ceremonial procession of the Golden Throne (Simhasana) during Dasara — is the most dramatic entry point, though access during the procession is restricted.
The Durbar Hall (Diwan-i-Am)
The largest and most spectacular interior space in the palace. The Maharaja met with his subjects and held formal court here. Key features:
Venetian Mosaic Floor — The entire hall floor is covered in a geometric mosaic imported from Venice. The intricate colour patterning was created from thousands of individually cut mosaic pieces and has been maintained continuously since 1912.
Belgian Stained Glass Ceiling — The ceiling incorporates panels of stained glass depicting peacocks and floral motifs. The multi-coloured light filtering through the glass creates the Durbar Hall’s distinctive atmospheric quality at different times of day.
Cast Iron Columns with Gold Capitals — Slender cast iron columns support the stained glass ceiling, their Corinthian-style capitals gilded. The combination of iron engineering with gold decoration reflects the hybrid aesthetics of the building’s era.
Chandeliers — Multiple large chandeliers, originally gas-lit and later converted to electricity, hang from the stained glass ceiling.
Portrait Gallery — The walls of the Durbar Hall display portraits of successive Wadiyar rulers, many painted in the English court portrait tradition but depicting Maharajas in full royal regalia.
The Golden Throne (Simhasana)
The most precious single object in the palace — displayed to the public only during the Dasara festival (when it is used for the royal ceremonial) and visible through the gallery access otherwise. The Golden Throne:
- Is made of figwood encased in gold and silver
- The central seat is flanked by wooden stairs also encased in gold
- A golden umbrella extends over the seat
- Sanskrit inscriptions in 24 slokas in Anusthup metre are engraved on the umbrella rim
- The throne is believed to have come down through multiple generations of Wadiyar rulers
An inscribed benedictory verse addresses Krishnaraja Wadiyar III as “Lord of the Karnataka Ratna Simhasana” — the jewelled throne of Karnataka.
Kalyana Mantapa (Wedding Pavilion)
The octagonal ceremonial hall where royal weddings and major court functions were organised. The ceiling is decorated with paintings depicting the Mysore royal family’s important ceremonial occasions — the Dasara procession, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV’s birthday procession, Durga Puja, the car festival of Goddess Chamundeshwari, and Krishna Janmashtami celebrations.
Stained glass ceilings with peacock and floral motifs, an ornate chandelier, and a mosaic floor make Kalyana Mantapa the second most visually remarkable space in the palace after the Durbar Hall.
Gombe Thotti (Doll’s Pavilion)
A unique collection of dolls from the 19th and early 20th century — traditional Indian dolls representing various occupations, festivals, and royal processions. The pavilion also houses sculptures (Indian and European) and ceremonial items used by the royal household.
The Palace Temples
The palace complex houses multiple active Hindu temples — several hundred years old, now protected by the Karnataka State Division of the Archaeological Survey of India:
Sri Lakshmi Ramana Swami Temple — The oldest temple in Mysore, located in the western part of the palace. Connected to a legend of miraculous healing (a blind man cured of blindness in 1599); mentioned in Mysore Royal Family records.
Kodi Bhairava Swamy Temple — Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Bhairava, at the south gate.
Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple — Located beside the south gate, built in Hoysala Empire style (10th–14th century).
Sri Trinayaneshvara Swami Temple — Outside the original Mysuru fort, on the bank of Devaraya Sagar (Doddakere). Included within the fort perimeter when the walls were expanded under Kanthirava Narasaraja Wadiyar.
The Sunday Illumination — 97,000 Lightbulbs
Every Sunday and on public holidays from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 97,000 bulbs illuminate the entire exterior of Mysore Palace. The illumination transforms the already-impressive daytime facade into something genuinely transcendent — the palace becomes a glowing monument of light against the night sky, visible across a large part of Mysore city.
This is one of India’s most spectacular free tourist experiences. No ticket is required. Visitors gather on the palace grounds and the surrounding streets. The best viewing positions are directly in front of the main facade (east side), which shows all five domes simultaneously.
Dasara Illumination: During the Dasara festival (October), the illumination occurs daily rather than only on Sundays, and the palace hosts the Dasara procession of the Golden Throne on an ornamental elephant — an event that draws massive crowds and is televised nationally.
The Sound and Light Show
A separate 45-minute evening programme on weekdays (Monday to Saturday), depicting the 400-year history of the Mysore kingdom through narration, music, and lighting effects. The 15-minute palace illumination sequence is seen at the end of the Sound and Light programme.
Available in Kannada and English (on different days/time slots — see ticket table above). Tickets issued at Varaha Gate Counter from 6:30 PM onwards.
Audio Kit and Guided Tours
Audio Kits are available at the palace entrance:
- For Indian visitors: Additional cost (verify current rate at counter)
- For foreign tourists: Included in the ₹300 entry fee
Languages: English, Hindi, Kannada, German, Italian, Japanese, French
The audio kit guides visitors through each room and highlights specific architectural and historical features. Recommended for first-time visitors — the palace is large and the historical context significantly enhances the experience.
Physical guided tours: Licensed guides are available for hire at the Varaha Gate area. Negotiate rates before committing; guides typically quote ₹300–₹600 for a full palace tour of 1.5 to 2 hours.
How to Reach Mysore Palace
Entry Gate: Varaha Gate (West/South side) — this is the visitor entry point.
By Road:
- From Mysore Railway Station: ~1.2 km / 5 minutes by auto-rickshaw (₹30–₹50)
- From Mysore Bus Stand (Central): ~1.5 km / 5 minutes
- From Bangalore (250 km): 3.5–4 hours by road via Mysore Highway (NH-275)
- From Bengaluru Airport: 4–4.5 hours
By Rail: Mysore Junction Railway Station is well connected to Bengaluru (multiple trains daily, 2–3 hours), Chennai (overnight trains), and major Karnataka cities.
By Air: Mysore Airport is approximately 9.6 km from the palace. Direct flights from Bengaluru (30 minutes) with limited frequency.
Parking: Available near the palace premises; large parking area east of the palace.
Best Time to Visit
October to February: The ideal season. Mysore’s winter is mild (15°C to 27°C), perfect for walking the palace grounds. October coincides with Dasara — the biggest annual event at the palace, with daily illumination and the Golden Throne procession. December and January see maximum tourist traffic from across India.
Sunday evenings: Even if unable to visit during the day, arriving for the 7:00 PM Sunday illumination (free) combined with the surrounding Mysore market area is a complete evening experience.
Morning opening (10:00 AM): Smallest crowds of the day; the Durbar Hall’s stained glass ceiling is most atmospheric with morning light filtering through it.
Avoid: Midday on weekends (12 PM–2 PM) during tourist season — maximum crowd density at the popular rooms.
Visitor Rules
- Remove footwear before entering the main palace hall (shoe stands available at the entrance)
- Photography NOT permitted inside the main palace hall; permitted in courtyards and grounds
- Camera ticket required for still cameras in permitted areas (₹70) and video cameras (₹250)
- No food or beverages inside the palace premises
- Maintain respectful behaviour in the temple areas
- Wheelchair access available; staff assistance on request
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Mysore Palace ticket price in 2026?
Indian adults ₹100; children (10–18 years) ₹50; children below 10 free; foreign tourists ₹300 (includes audio kit). Sound and Light Show (separate): adults ₹100–₹120; children ₹40–₹50. Sunday illumination: FREE.
Q2. What are Mysore Palace timings?
10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. Sound and Light Show: 7:00 PM–8:00 PM (Monday–Saturday; Kannada and English on different days). Sunday illumination: 7:00 PM–8:00 PM, free.
Q3. Is photography allowed inside Mysore Palace?
Photography is NOT permitted inside the main palace hall (Durbar Hall, Kalyana Mantapa, royal rooms). Photography is permitted in the courtyards and grounds. A still camera ticket (₹70) or video camera ticket (₹250) is required for permitted areas.
Q4. What entry gate should visitors use?
Varaha Gate (west/south side) is the visitor entry gate for the palace. The Jaya Marthanda (east gate) is the main entrance for ceremonial occasions. Sound and Light Show tickets are also issued at the Varaha Gate Counter.
Q5. When is the Mysore Palace lit up and is it free?
The palace is illuminated with 97,000 bulbs every Sunday and on public holidays from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is completely free — no ticket required. During the Dasara festival (October), illumination occurs daily.
