Maharaja's Palace

The fantastic profile of the walled Indo-Saracenic Maharaja's Palace, the seat of the maharajas of Mysore, graces the city's skyline. An earlier palace burnt down in 1897 and the present one, designed by English architect Henry Irwin, was completed in 1912 at a cost of Rs 4.5 million.

The palace's interior - a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours - is undoubtedly over the top, but it includes awe-inspiring carved wooden doors and mosaic floors, as well as a series of historically interesting paintings depicting life in Mysore during the Edwardian Raj. Hindu temples within the palace grounds include the Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple; its gopuram (gateway tower) influenced the style of the later Sri Chamundeswari Temple on Chamundi Hill. There's also the Royal House of Mysore shop selling exclusive designs of saris and dupattas (scarves worn by Punjabi women).

The entry fee is paid at the southern gate of the grounds; keep your ticket to enter the palace building itself. Cameras must be deposited at the entrance gate - you can only take photos of the outside of the buildings. Some books on historical sites are sold near the exit of the main rooms, though the state archaeology office, in the southwest part of the grounds, has a more complete collection.

The Maharaja's Palace and much of the city is illuminated every night between 19:00 and 21:00, and there are concerts, dance performances and other cultural events during the Dussehra festival.