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| Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion |
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History
Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, a building in the heart of Mysore city is situated in Manasagangotri, the University campus of Mysore. It is been recognized by the Karnataka Government as a structure of heritage importance which exhibits some exquisite artefacts of legends, archaeology and geology. It also serves as a research centre of the Mysore University.
Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion was built at a cost of Rs. 7 lakhs in the year 1905, the period of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, for Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani on a small hill above Kukkarahalli Kere Lake. Also, known as the ‘First Rajkumari Mansion’, it was constructed keeping in mind the status of Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani and his husband Sirdar M. Kantharaja, a Dewan of Mysore.
The mansion covers an area of 6 acres with 125 rooms, 300 windows, and 287 carved doors with great refinement. This three wing building consists of a dancing hall, Kalyana Mantap and brilliantly decorated rooms. The dancing hall has a wooden floor and its roof is decorated with painted glasses. The Kalyana Mantap is a square supported by 12 pillars mounted by 8 petal shaped domes covered with painted glass. The north side of the mansion has a sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi, while the south side has a sculpture of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The interior of the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is decorated with wooden and stonework carvings. The front of the mansion is carved from the top which constitutes an excellent 40 ft high reception hall and the latter half is covered of carved dome. The mansion is built of brick, mortar, timber and iron with separate drainage system for rainwater and used water.
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Best time to visit
Although, Mysore enjoys a pleasant climate all through the year but, September to March is the most favourable time for visiting Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion. This period covers almost the whole of winters.
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Trivia
In the year 1897, during the wedding of Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani, the eldest daughter of Chamaraja Wadiyar IX, a major fire broke out in the now Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion completely destroying the old structure. Then in the year 1905, ten years after the massacre the palace was rebuilt as Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion.
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Timing
Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion remains open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and then 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, except on Mondays.
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Travel Tools
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