Bangalore Palace

 

Bangalore Palace is a royal palace located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Currently this palace is the central attraction in Bangalore. Bangalore Palace was built in the year 1878 by King Chamaraja Wadiyar and is today open to the public who come to witness the elegant splendour of one of South India’s most enduring dynasties.

 

 

 

The area where the palace is now located originally belonged to Reverend J Garrett, who was the first principal of the Central High School in Bangalore, now famous as Central College in the cantonment town.  It was purchased in 1873 by the guardians of Chamaraja Wadiyar and construction began in 1874. Initial construction was completed in 1878 and subsequent additions and renovations have been carried out since.

 

 

 

The palace has a floor area of 45,000 sft, and grounds of 454 acres. The palace was built in Tudor Revival style architecture with fortified towers, battlements and turrets. The interiors are decorated with elegant wood carvings, floral motifs, cornices and relief paintings on the ceiling. The furniture, which is neo-classical, Victorian and Edwardian in style, was bought from John Roberts and Lazarus. The upkeep of the gardens are the responsibility of the horticulturist persons. A total of 35 rooms are built in the palace with most of them being bedrooms and a swimming pool. The renovation included addition of stained glass and mirrors, specially imported from England, besides a manual lift and wooden fans from General Electric.

 

The palace features mainly wooden interiors and is surrounded by gardens. The architectural style is a mix of Tudor and Scottish Gothic with many physical elements inside imported from Britain. It is believed that Chamaraja Wadiyar found inspiration in Windsor Castle and other structures of Normandy and England. Roman arches greet visitors at the entrance. The facade of the building boasts many different shapes and projections. The vine -covered walls make the palace look like it was lifted out of the English countryside.

 

 

 

The palace reflects traditional Hindu style of decor. Pillars and arches dominate the interiors of the Bangalore Palace. Ornate cornices and patterned walls add to the lavish setting of the building’s rooms, along with luxurious chandeliers. The courtyard of the Maharaja features a fountain gifted by an erstwhile Spanish royal and a coloured tile bench boasting an art-deco design. The Palace is home to many renowned 19th and 20th century paintings, including those by Raja Ravi Varma, one of India’s most famous painters. There is a large collection of photographs that chronicle the different generations of the Wadiyar dynasty along with offering a glimpse into the evolution of Bangalore over the last century. Apart from the beautiful works of art, the intricate architecture and photography collection, there are more attractions in the palace, A Coat of Arms, which was gifted to the Wadiyars by the British.

 

 

Bangalore is one of the few Indian cities that has a pleasant climate throughout the year. The atmosphere both inside the Palace and outside is always quite relaxed and breezy. Hence one may choose to visit the Palace any time throughout the year during the visiting hours.

 

 

Bangalore Airport to Bangalore Palace is a pleasant journey. There are several vehicle options are available cab, bus and auto rickshaw one can take to reach the Palace. It takes 39 minutes to travel from Bangalore Airport to Bangalore Palace. Approximate driving distance between Bangalore Airport and Bangalore Palace is 33 kms.

 

 

Timings: 10 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry Fees: INR 230 (Indians) INR 460 (Foreigners)

Visit Duration: 2 to 3 hours