Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)
India's most visited palace — and on Sunday nights, 100,000 bulbs light the whole facade.
- Timings
- Around 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM · illumination Sunday evenings and holidays, roughly 7:00 – 8:00 PM
- Entry fee
- Approx. ₹70 (Indian), ₹200 (foreign)
- Time needed
- 2 – 3 hours
- Best time
- Sunday, staying for the evening illumination
About Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)
The current Amba Vilas Palace was completed in 1912 after fire destroyed its predecessor, designed by the British architect Henry Irwin in an Indo-Saracenic style that blends Hindu, Mughal, Rajput and Gothic elements. Inside are the Durbar Hall, the stained-glass Kalyana Mantapa with its peacock-motif ceiling, and rosewood doors inlaid with ivory. It is the second-most visited monument in India after the Taj Mahal. On Sunday evenings and public holidays, around 100,000 bulbs illuminate the entire exterior for an hour — plan your trip around it.
Insider tips
- Time your visit for a Sunday evening — the illumination is the single best thing in Mysuru
- Shoes must be left at the counter and photography inside is prohibited
- Dasara in September/October transforms the city, but book accommodation months ahead
Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas) — common questions
What are the Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas) timings?
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Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas) is open Around 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM · illumination Sunday evenings and holidays, roughly 7:00 – 8:00 PM.
What is the entry fee for Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)?
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Entry: Approx. ₹70 (Indian), ₹200 (foreign).
How much time do you need at Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)?
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Plan for roughly 2 – 3 hours.
What is the best time to visit Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)?
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Sunday, staying for the evening illumination.
How crowded does Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas) get?
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High crowd levels overall — go early to avoid the worst of it.
Nearby
More to see in Mysuru
TempleChamundi Hills & Temple
1,000 steps up to the goddess who gives Mysuru its name, past a giant monolithic Nandi.
ParkBrindavan Gardens
Terraced gardens below the KRS dam, with a musical fountain show after dark.
HeritageSt. Philomena's Cathedral
A neo-Gothic cathedral modelled on Cologne Cathedral, with 175-foot twin spires.
ParkMysore Zoo
One of India's oldest and best-run zoos, opened in 1892 by the Maharaja.