Bangalore - Vidhana Soudha & Vikasa Soudha

Inspired by the Windsor Castle, it was built in 1887 by Chamaraja Wodeyar in Tudor-style. Standing in the heart of the city, this unique edifice gives the impression of a piece of England's architecture in Bangalore with fortified towers, arches, turreted parapets and undulating lawns . The palace was earlier surrounded by beautiful gardens in the midst of a vast open area, which have reduced considerably today.

The structure has fortified towers and its interiors boast of elegant woodcarvings and Tudor-style architecture, complete with Gothic windows, battlements and turrets. This 110 year old palace, largely constructed of wood, is famous for its carving and paintings. An exquisite door panel at the entrance leads to grand settings inside. The interiors have breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, mouldings and relief paintings on its ceiling.

The construction of this 45,000 sq ft palace cost just over Rs 1 Million. Reverend Garret originally owned the land, on which the palace rests today (The credit of setting up the first printing press in the city also goes to him).

Located between Jayamahal and Sadashivanagar areas, the palace ground has now become a venue for various exhibitions, concerts and cultural programmes and film shooting. There is also a statue of Venkataswamy Raju, the head gardener on one of the lawns. Spread over 45,000 sq ft, the palace began to look a bit decrepit after 1949 when it was at the center of an ownership dispute between the Government and the ruling Wodeyars. However It has now been restored to the Wodeyar. Forty-five rooms, two large open courtyards, fancy fountains, engraved aqua blue marble seats, turreted parapets, majestic towers and intricate wooden carvings immediately transports one to the bygone era. The ‘skating’ ballroom, with its smooth and slippery teakwood flooring, hints at the elaborate parties the Mysore royals threw frequently. The darbar on the first floor, overlooking the grounds below, flaunts mesmerizing paintings of Ravi Varma. From the darbar door, one can see what would have been a prized catch for the hunters of the past – a massive elephant head mounted over the wall. In fact, some rooms also have stuffed stools made of elephant and deer legs.

Tourists can get a peek into what was till now off-limits, thanks to some parts of the palace finally opening up for the public. Visitors can shop at the boutique, set up by Srikanta Datta Wodiyar and his wife Pramoda Devi, which offers the finest Mysore silks, with a royal name tag attached.