Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion

Of all the royal buildings, apart from the Mysore Palace of course, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is the most beautiful. Built in 1905 by Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar for his oldest daughter, this is one among the five such mansions. Located opposite the Kukkarahalli Kere, it was reportedly built at a cost of INR 7 lakhs. Though the building is now owned by the Mysore University, visitors still have access to the beautiful mansion since it houses the famous Folklore Museum. The most dominating feature of the mansion is the perfect alignment of the three wings of the building. The facade has Corinthian and Ionic columns, pediments, beautiful windows with pilasters and arches and moulded ventilators. Inside, don’t miss the impressive decorations and carvings in plaster and wood. One of the highlights of the mansion is the Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall), a square hall with 12 pillars that support an eight-petal-shaped dome with glass windows. Other prominent features of the building include a dancing hall with wooden floor accompanied by a viewers’ gallery located on the first floor and a 40-foot high roof with painted glass and ventilators, in addition to elaborately decorated and furnished rooms.