By day the Royal Palace was just as impressive. An eclectic mix of Hindu, Muslim and British architecture it was designed by a British architect, Henry Irving, for the then rulers of the state, and no expense was spared. The stained glass towering windows, the magical high painted ceilings, the golden inlays which sparkle throughout, room after room is full of exquisite historical artifacts. The lovingly tended gardens circle the buildings where I sat with new found friends-two English women in their sixties touring India on motorcycle whose bravery made me feel very staid.
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| Looking refreshed the next day at the palace |
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| The South Gate of the palace by daylight |
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| The palace by daylight |
We passed a pleasant hour in the shade chatting over our wanderlust past trips before tracking down the Art Gallery, overlooked by the majority of tourists judging by the crowds in the Palace and our solitary status in the gallery. In which case they missed a treat as it took us two hours to tour the floor after floor of Royal memorabilia.
A bizarre mix of the gorgeous (sandalwood boxes, ebony and mother of pearl furniture, exquisite China and the grotesque (elephant tusks/stuffed porcupines), the erotic (e.g. embroidered intricate games designed just for the court with the original playing figures with individual faces) and the eccentric (musical instruments which defy imagination) this dusty museum was a real 'find'.
So my first full day in Mysore immersed in admiring its past glories...and getting used again to city noise, traffic and crowds. Walking back I had to dodge the many cows ...painted yellow here, I know not why but at least they are easier to spot!...and the queues for the latest Bollywood release. This is inland India yet again.
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| Cows in Hi-Viz |
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| Local cinema promotion to draw in the crowds |
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