Mysore Palace & Dasara Memories 2013

The heritage city of Mysore is at its vibrant best during the 10-day Dasera festival, which continues a tradition started by the Vijayanagar kings in the 15th century. The festival starts with a procession of decorated elephants led by the Maharaja of Mysore – a grand spectacle. Every evening, the Maharaja’s Palace is dramatically lit up, while the town is transformed into a gigantic fairground, with concerts, dance performances, sporting demonstrations and cultural events. On the last day, Vijayadashami, the celebrations are capped off with a dazzling torchlight procession.
- Lonely Planet 

I wanted this travel for many reasons. And this time I didn't want to miss the festive moments at Mysore. Called up Nadheem and we decided to make the move. Ani didn't join this and she wasn't comfortable with the crowd during Dasera. 

We started from Bangalore by 5 in the morning. Took the route through the KR Market and headed on to the Mysore Road. After an hour and a half, we had a halt at one of the high way hotels on the way. That nice coffee and Iddaly made our day. So tasty it was. Yummy.

I was watching the traffic from the restaurant. Almost all the vehicles were commuting at a speed of 100 kmph. I felt like they are after some treasure hidden in Mysore. After 30 minutes, we got back to our road to Mysore.

Reached Mysore at 9:30 am. But the palace will open only at 10:30. We thought of spending time around, by having one more breakfast. We parked the car at that hotel and went for a walk. Took some pics walking around, took a horse cart ride, small shopping and then headed towards the hotel where we parked the car.

Got inside the palace by 10:50 in the morning (INR 40/head. No camera charges as they will not allow the camera inside the palace. You can click around the premises).

The Palace got the same old glorious look and feel. It shined like never before as a part of the Dasera preparations. Around a couple of crores are spend towards the maintenance of the palace every year. And it shows. 

Cultural shows, fun loving crowds, curios kids, royal processions and 1 lakh bulbs illuminated palace - everything together made our day...

The very first breakfast. Can you see that single spoon of butter on the iddly? He does a magic in the mouth...

The very first picture after we decided to go for a walk around the palace circle. They just opened the shops and were very hopeful about the business for that day.

One of the many statutes of the kings around the city. We could see the administrative team setting up and decorating all these statutes ahead of the main Dasera celebrations.

Mysore is still hot. But once you reach the palace radius, you will not feel that heat. You got shades all over the place. Impressive.

Everything got a royal touch. This is the window pane of the near by hotel. Art - which was in the blood of kings then.

Dasera procession picture in the hotel.

The above two pics belong to this hotel. Hotel looks like a palace outhouse.

Clear sky which resonated the celebration mood.

Not a formal walkway. Again a royal touch.

The horse cart which gave us a ride around the palace.

People were rushing around. Police personals started controlling the traffic around the palace.

Out from the silk house. Did not purchase the saree, which the sales woman tried to sell to us. Bought Mysore special soap packets and got out of that place. 

A nice journey through the ways which once used by the kings to commute. Felt like a king :)
People on the motor cycles were passing us weird looks. "Hasn't these guys seen a horse cart before?" kind of look.

As I was mentioning to Nadheem - The miniature Mysore Big Ben tower :)

Administrative building near to the palace. 

Not so crowded in the morning. People are just getting into the palace.

The horse carts waiting for the customers. I could find two types of carts - Simple colorful one and white royal one.

The white royal horse cart.

Nadheem spotted this place while we were strolling through the palace circle. Reminded us about our college tour. 

When we approached the gallery entrance, could see a lot of people waiting outside. There were police personals all around. Still we moved on, until we were stopped by the police who told us that we cannot go in now as there is a VIP inside. Public blocked for the elected one. 

Mysore silk saree is kind of famous I believe. I could see similar saree shops all around the place. With huge discounts, those are the favorite shopping place for woman.

Another view of the Art Gallery.

The blue sky and the subject. Always tempting for a photographer.

When I was clicking around the place, Mr. Nadheem was talking to People and recording what they says, using his mobile recorder. He mentioned when we started the journey that hes writing a book. With the experiences of various people, clubbed together for a bigger purpose. 

He is ready for a wonderful business day. He just opened his shop when we were parking the car. Sure that he will have a wonderful business today. Chat is an emotion for people in Bangalore. Even Ani is mad about Pani Puri.

I was telling to Nadheem that this shopping walkway to the palace haven't changed a bit. When we came for a tour from college, years before, it looked the same. I felt even the shop keepers are the same people. Possibly yes!

Cuty toys on the palace fence. I marked this place to get one for Isaac.

The sugar candy. Nadheem is a big fan of this. He bought one on the way back and ate like a child, spoiling his hands with the melted sugar all over. He had a tough time to clean up the mess :)

The main entrance gate to the Palace. Even though there are several gates, you can get only through this in the morning. If you are very late and reaching the place by  6 in the evening. There is another way to get in without the ticket. Will tell you that shortly.

There are two ticket counters on the main gate. One on the left and one on the right. No idea why people were trying hard to get the tickets from the left counter. When we reached there, we could fine the right side ticket counter free and open. We got the tickets in less than 30 seconds and we got in. 

The view of the palace from the entrance. The feel that went through my mind...Awesome.

Getting more closer to the palace. It was scorching heat when we reached there. I started getting the headache after few minutes. But could see huge shaded areas setup for the visitors. That was a real blessing.

The main gate facing the palace. The procession goes out and in through this main gate. When the procession goes out through this place, the gate will be wide open and people can enter and exit through this gate without the ticket.

Cultural programs are an important part of Mysore Dasara Festival. The stage is being setup in the courtyard of the palace. Could see a group of foreigners practicing something on the stage. It was too hot whether, still they were happily practicing some kind of dance. With white dress and black glass.

Palace is a palace. What a detailing for each and every corner of that structure. 

Nadheem was bold enough to check with the police officials whether we can approach the VIP area. They said yes. And we went more closer to the stage and clicked a couple of pics.

That was the specialty of the police officials deployed all around the palace. Everyone was smiling and responding to queries raised by us. Couldn't find a single police who tried to show their power. Very helpful and friendly atmosphere they gave. 

You can opt for a club car ride around the palace. Good way to explore the premises.

Where to go next?

The walk way structure near to the main gate of the palace.

View of the main gate from the walk way path.

Closed look at the main gate. I could visualize the presence of soldiers on the top of the main gate guarding the palace. There are stairways to the top, but blocked due to security reasons. 

Nadheem wondering at the palace from the main gate walkway.

Still wondering...

View from the place where Nadheem stood for a long time gazing...Stunning.

The walkways got temples as the entry point. Might be a religious 

At the main gate. You can see the special security team setting up the metal detectors.

Bulbs all around. 

The main gate.

Palace view from the main gate.

One of the many elephant cubs getting ready for the royal processions.

Main Gate View

Solitude....Passing time in the Palace Garden...

The shadow covering up the palace - but not for a long time. Darkness cannot exist when the light enter.

Cultural fest getting started.

Interior lights coming up brightening the palace and kicking away the darkness around.

Lights in the glass...

The wonderful painting over the palace.

What a beauty...

The lamp stand - proud member of the royal family.

Started clicking on the tripod.

Golden light works. Adding more beauty to the palace.

The illuminated main gate walkway.

Nadheem looking out to the crowd.

The walkways with the lights on. Beauttttttty!

The main gate lit up.

Me and Nadheem

Us again.

Below are the pics of the palace with the lights on. Experience the wonder from the Mysore Palace. You will never forget that moment.

And this concludes our wonderful journey back to the glorious days of the kings...

+Mysore Dasara