My initial plan was to go to Mysore but my tours provider told me that there is a tour which they provide of Mysore along with Srirangapatna which is only 15 kms from Mysore which wont even take 2 hours to tour. So I thought what is there to lose and I took the tour. I didn't hear much about Srirangapatna which is en route to Mysore all I knew was that it was Tipu Sultan's Capital and stronghold.
Here is some History about the place. Srirangapattana became the de facto capital of Mysore under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. When Tipu finally dispensed with the charade of deference to the legitimate Wodeyar Maharaja who was actually his captive, and proclaimed the "Khudadad State" under his own kingship, Srirangapattana became de jure the capital of that short-lived political entity. In that heady period, the state ruled by Tipu extended its frontiers in every direction, encompassing a major portion of South India. Srirangapattana flourished as the cosmopolitan capital of this powerful state. Various Indo-Islamic monuments that dot the town, such as Tipu Sultan's palaces, the Darya Daulat and the Jumma Maseedi (Friday congregational mosque), date from this period.
There is mosque located near the Bangalore Gate of the fort. Tipu Sultan built this masjid in 1784 after he ascended the throne of Mysore. The minarets are double storied and octagonal in shape with pigeonholes surmounted by domes that adds to the grandeur of the entire structure. There is an inscription that mentions all the ninety-nine names of Allah.
There is a flight of about 200 steps leading to the top of the minarets from where one can have a splendid view of the surrounding area. Persian scriptures done in fine calligraphy and intricate ornamentation decorate the walls and ceilings of this Juma Masjid. The photo below is of the Jumma Masjid built by Tipu Sultan.
This photo is of Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon which is also located in the Srirangapatna fort complex.
I heard a lot about the Mysore Palace and the reason I took this trip was to see it. And it was unlike any other palace I have seen in India, I just stood there looking at it with awe for around 15 minutes without moving. It was just amazing. And when I went inside it was also up to the expectations and at times even better. Unfortunately I couldn’t see the palace in the night when the lights are on as they turn on only on Sundays. Well none the less it was an amazing experience.There are 2 rules which I didn’t like which are no photos inside the palace and no footwear inside the palace.
Here is some history about the place. The Mysore Palace, is an excellent combination of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic, Oriental and Roman styles of architecture. The Maharaja's Palace is a beautiful three storied stone building of fine gray granite and rich pink marble domes, overlooking this structure is a five-storied 145 foot tower whose domes are gilded in gold.
The Palace has a number of visually delightful rooms like the portrait gallery, the royal armory, collections of costumes and jewellery, delicately carved doors of mahogany and solid silver, graceful chandeliers, decorative stained glass ceilings, ornamental frescoes. And an amazing thing inside the palace is the Royal throne which is said to be made out of 200kgs of pure gold.
But the unfortunate part was that we are not allowed to take photos inside. So here are some of the photos which I took outside the palace.
