Once upon a time there was a brave King and his beautiful queen who lived in a grand palace, filled with opulence of every kind!!!
This is the thought that flashes through my head, every time I wander in a fort, palace or mahal in India. Meandering through the hallowed corridors of Bangalore Palace was no exception and I fell in love with its gorgeous architecture and interiors.
First up it looks like something out of a fairytale. In fact it wears a striking resemblance to the Windsor Castle, UK as its built-in a similar Tudor style architecture. And that Ivy winding all over its walls, lends weight to its fairytale aura!
Have a look at one of its grand halls where the King held court – I fell in love with the golden walls and glass chandeliers. Just wish I could have gone inside for a closer look but this section has been cordoned off for visitors.
This is another grand assembly hall with some beautiful colonnades! The wooden floor and ceiling lent a warm and rich feel to this otherwise opulent space.
Pure indulgence and charm in these coloured glass chandeliers which graced it’s equally stylised corridors with the graceful arches and colonnades.
Isnt the wrought iron trellises worked into a geometrical pattern a beauty? Imagine this was made in 1836 – look at the finesse of detail in the intricateness of the design.
The fading wallpaper still retains its pattern and brings out the vividness and beauty of the art hung over it! Please don’t miss the multi panelled wooden door!
I loved this colourful array of artworks, set up in a series on one of the walls in the corridor.
Do you know what this is? Stumped? I was too!!
This is a jockey measuring/weighing station where the height and weight was checked. They were horse racing enthusiasts who dwelled in this palace and this sport was highly revered by them. Do notice the horse hoof on the leg of the table!
This stunning piece is made out of original spanish mosaic tiles which were imported from spain at that time. This sits in the courtyard in the male section and yes there is a fountain too which was once upon gazed at by the courtly royals as it joyously sprinkled water.
I could go on sharing more and more pics but that would make this one unbelievably long post. I have to confess I was loath to step back into the real world after a leisurely wander through this glorious relic! I just wish this was as proudly maintained and exhibited as the many palaces in Rajasthan are. There was an absolute air of neglect to this charming palace and a very “sarkari” attitude of its officials which was extremely sad to see.
” Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen” – Benjamin Disraeli
What did you think of this? Do you like wandering through historical monuments?
Fact File:
- The Bangalore Palace was built in 1836 by Rev. J. Garrett and construction period was 1862-1944
- It was purchased by the then maharaja of Mysore – Chamarajendra Wadiyar in 1884.
- It’s open to public and photography is allowed at a steep price – I paid about 700/- for my ticket and photography license!!
A Parsi affair is up tomorrow
For the uninitiated, AtoZ challenge is a blogging challenge wherein one has to write on every alphabet from A to Z and post on all days of April, except Sundays. Usually its better to devise a theme as it makes it easy to write the posts. Plus readers have a reason to stay hooked too.
The A to Z Challenge is created by Arlee Bird of Tossing it Out
and co-hosted by
Alex J. Cavanaugh of Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jeremy Hawkins of Hollywood Nuts
Heather M. Gardner of The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Zalka Csenge Virág of The Multicolored Diary
John Holton of The Sound of One Hand Typing
J Lenni Dorner of Blog of J. Lenni Dorner
Linking up for #wordsante with Namysaysso for every post deserves some love
Read more about my travels in Karnataka
- Hampi -1
- Hampi-2
- Tipu Sultan’s summer palace
- Heritage walk
- Ranganthitu bird sanctuary
- Bannergatta Butterfly park
- Manchinbele
- Mysore Palace
- Flower market in Bangalore
- Bheemashwari
- Halebid
- Belur
- Somanathpur
Beautiful pictures. That weighing machine for jockeys is pretty intriguing. Tickets at 700? Really? That’s too much!
Thanks Parul – yeah tickets are really steep for the audio guide and the photography permit!
Great photos. Maybe this is ignorance on my part but I expected the palace to be much older. When I think Indian history, I think centuries of history.
Thanks Geraint – this one is a modern palace as it was completed in 1936 and then went through subsequent renovations!
Older ones are there in plenty – all over India!
The photographs you shared are stunning! Thank you for sharing.
O for Occupation
Shari
Thanks so much Shari
Wow! Truly spectacular interiors. Being from Bangalore, situated so close to my parents place, I somehow have not visited it as yet. Will definitely look it up on my next visit. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Radhika – I sure do hope you do get to go and have a peek here!! 🙂
Is this in Bangalore? I must say it’s stunning nv . I liked your tip on why one should have a theme. But sometimes it takes ingenuity to fath the letter ….am looking forward to Parsi trivia. Is it a fire temple ?
Thanks so much Sunita – you have really bolstered my confidence with your lovely comment!!!!
Parsi one is up today and I hope you loved reading that too!! 🙂
What a stylish and grand palace this is. Indeed it looks straight out of fairy tale. Sad about the sarkari babus attitude. That’s the same I guess everywhere. Great pics, Shalini.
Thanks a tonne Shilpa – yeah its a sad state of affair in most such places in India!! Sigh!!
somehow i have to yet visit the Bangalore Palace still inspite of the fact I lived there for years, and we have visited almost every summer for the past few years now 🙁 with your photos, I am making the decision to include this in our next trip
LadyInRead @ MyRandRSpace – Day 18 & the Letter O
Oh wow that feels good to hear!! I am glad my post was good enough to help you put this down on a must visit list!! 🙂
A real pleasure to walk in the Bangalore Palace through your photos. Gorgeous. Haven’t seen it but its on my list now.
Thank you Kalpanaa – that feels so good to read!! I hope you do get to visit there soon 🙂
This is completely mesmerising and what amazing photography. Complete justice to the beauty of the place I must say.
I almost thought it must be like one of those run down palaces one sees in Delhi/Rajasthan. This is such a treat to the eye. Thank you for a beautiful tour around this lovely historical site.
I usually am not a big one for monuments and historical sights but this post was very very enchanting.
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Thanks for such a generous comment my friend- I am floating in mid air as I type this 😉
Yeah this had quite a bit of opulence but I personally felt it didnt match upto the Rajasthani splendour, maybe cause this is too English in its stylising whereas I am used to the jharokhas and jaalis 😉
Hey I loved the virtual tour to the palace through your eyes and the oh so lovely pics
Thanks so much Roma – that feels so good to hear 🙂
You had some great pictures here. Thanks for sharing them Shalz. Neglecting attitude is something these heritage buildings face all over the country.
Thanks so much Upasna- yeah the neglect is sad but very much part of the reality here in India. Here atleast it was well maintained but the pride and joy was missing!!
The palace looks really grand and the chandelier are so beautiful and sophisticated. It’s a shame I didn’t visit it when I was living there.
Oh yeah the chandeliers are just gorgeous. I have seen similar ones in Gwalior palace too!! 🙂
I love forts and palaces too. This one looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I remember going to Bangalore palace and thinking the exact same thing. Why can’t we preserve such beautiful structures the way they are done in Rajasthan or the world over! We need to appreciate the beauty that we have.
It was a great walk through the Bangluru Palace with your post! Well appointed photographs added to the visual experience.
Recently I had been to Delhi and was mesmerized by the grand structures of the Mughal era.
Appreciate the craftsmanship of those unsung heroes who had toiled hard to make such palaces and forts, so magnificent. Specially in the light of the fact that the technology was not at all advanced in those days!!
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Yeah that’s the greatest things about all the monuments – no technology and yet such precision n beauty in their designs.
I’m not a very architectural person but the thought of kings and queens living in a place, bathing, eating, doing all the activities fascinates me!
Cheers
I know what you mean Geets- secretly yearn to be born in that era …
Wow…such beautiful architecture! They no longer make buildings like these. My college in Bombay had beautiful architecture and I do miss buildings like those..
Oh yes the old buildings in Mumbai have such a beautiful feel and look to them! 🙂
These are just gorgeous. The wood carving–I want it!
I know what you mean Jacqui – I loved them too!! 🙂
It looks like an amazing place!
Thanks Emily – it sure is! 🙂
What a wealth of color! Wow this is stunning! The woodwork, the wallpapers, the furniture – all so beautiful.
I love the jockey bench! I did notice the horsehoof legs, and I also noticed the big horseshoe next to the seat! How creative a design! 🙂
Thanks Vanessa – yeah its quite a unique design!
I am in Bangalore for last 10 years but havent visited the palace yet!!! i should hide in embarrassment!
Hey I hadnt visited it when I stayed there too – loads of peeps dont go there and I think its a lot to do with poor promotion of the place! Its not well advertised and finding it was a nightmare!!!
Those pics look amazing. And I agree with you. The palaces in Rajasthan are so well kept, it’s a pity this one isn’t!
Btw, I just published my O post @ A to Z of Happiness: Optimism.
Do visit it.
Happy AtoZing!
Thanks so much Chicky – yeah I love mharo rajathan a lot for the pride the royalty showers on its heritage there!!!
I will be catching up on my reading by sunday as I am caught up in a house shifting!!!
I have always wanted to visit this palace but each time I have been to Bangalore, it’s been rush affair. I am sure after reading your post, I shall certainly make it a point to visit. I don’t mind paying a bit higher to experience the opulence of old world. The pictures are stunning Shalz 🙂
Oh my thanks so much Dipanwita – praise for my photography always puts me in a very good mood!!!
I hope you do get to explore Bangalore – there is a gorgeous Tipu sultan’s summer palace- yup it might be my later posts in this challenge 😉
just the sarkari attitude is very sad!!!
And yes I love to explore these architectural monuments a lot- love getting lost there!!! Ones in Rajasthan are my favourite!!!
Yay! Bangalore palace it is….It holds special place in my heart as this was first time I ever took my grand parents for a trip. Pura Bangalore ghumayi unko 🙂
Whoa thats impressive and very sweet too Keerthi!! Way to go gurl! 🙂