Mysore Heritage Buildings

Incorporating the best of East and the West, the city has an array of heritage structures reflecting various architectural styles that draw the attention of the tourists. Prominent among these influences are Indo-Sarcenic, Greco-Roman, traditional Hoysala and the Classical European styles.

With more than 200 such buildings listed as heritage structures, tourists with a penchant to appreciate architecture can take time off to appreciate these buildings in all their glory. As they are dispersed in different parts of the city, a Tonga Ride is best suited for this exploration of Mysore’s architectural glory. A list of a few buildings that are worth a second look have been listed below:

Palace (offcourse) best viewed from the Jayamartanda Gate opposite the exhibition grounds; Public offices adjacent the Palace, Chamaraja Circle adjacent to the Palace. Clock Tower, Town Hall, Devaraja Market, Chamarajendra Technical Institute, Ayurvedic College building, K.R.Hospital, Divisional Railway office, Hotel Metropole, Maharani’s College, Yuvaraja’s College , Mysore City Corporation, D.Banumaiah’s College building, Sanskrit College to name a few.The cluster of these buildings are aligned along the Sayyaji Rao Road and the Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road and forms a grid and can be covered in reasonable amount of time.

The second cluster of buildings of significance include the Gordon House (office of the Deputy Commissioner), Crawford Hall (seat of the University of Mysore), Oriental Research Institute (this is where a copy of the Arthashastra or a treatise of political science authored by Chanakya or Kautilya of the 3rd century BC fame, was discovered and threw light on the economic history and political philosophy of ancient India), Maharaja’s College and Court buildings.


In addition, Mysore has seven palaces including the main Palace also called the Amba Vilas.
Cheluvamba Mansion which is unrivalled in its regal splendor and presently houses the Central Food Technological Research Institute

Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion which is in the University campus and houses Karnataka’s first folklore museum

Jaganmohan Palace which is an art gallery

Lalitha Mahal Palace which is a heritage hotel ensconced near the Chamundi Hills

Karanji Mansion which houses the Postal Training Institute

Rajendra Vilas Palace which is atop the Chamundi Hills and is undergoing renovation

A few other heritage structures include the Jaladarshini group of buildings opposite the Kalamandira, Yelwal Residency which is on the outskirts of Mysore and was completed in 1806, Wellington Mansion adjacent to the inter-City bus stand and which houses the National Museum of Mankind

Hardwicke Church, St.Philomena’ Cathedral, Chamundi Guest House, Government Guest House are a few others in the list of nearly 200 such structures of importance that have embellished Mysore.