Mysuru

The modern Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style. It is a brilliant architectural fusion combining Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic Revival styles. It features fine grey granite for the main three-story structure and striking deep-pink marble for its grand domes.

​Dasara is Mysore’s state festival, celebrating the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over Mahishasura. Initiated by the Wadiyar kings back in 1610, it features a massive grand procession (Jumboo Savari) through the city roads. A golden palanquin (Ambari) carrying the idol of the Goddess is mounted on a beautifully decorated lead elephant. During the festival, the entire palace is illuminated by nearly 100,000 lightbulbs.

Yes. While the majority of the grand palace complex, including the durbar halls and museum sections, is managed by the Government of Karnataka and open to the public, the descendants of the Wadiyar dynasty still live in a private, closed-off wing of the building.

Mysore Pak was accidentally invented inside the royal kitchens of the Mysore Palace during the reign of Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. The royal head chef, Kagasura Madappa, combined gram flour (besan), ghee, and sugar to quickly create a new sweet dessert for the king. The king loved it so much he named it "Mysore Pak" (Pak or Paka meaning sweet syrup cookery in Kannada).