Lalitha Mahal Palace
Lalitha Mahal is a heritage building standing on a beautiful location overlooking the Chamundi Hills. It was commissioned by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV in 1921 for the exclusive stay of the Viceroy of India. It was designed by E.W.Fritchley from Mumbai in the Renaissance style with concepts from the Italina palazzo and English manor. The royal guest palace has now been converted into a five-star hotel of the India Tourist Development Corporation of the Government of India. However, the heritage aspects of the Palace, having a viceroy room, a banquet hall and a dancing floor, and an Italian marble staircase have been carefully maintained. The dancing and banquet halls have been converted into dining halls and are also made available for meetings and conventions. To suit the requirements of the hotel, modern conveniences have been provided in its interior. However, old fixtures and furniture, elevator, and portraits are well maintained. The vast lawn, though reduced in size for want of maintenance, is being well taken care of, with fountains and parking spaces for vehicles. The side lawns are made available for tea and cocktail parties. The hotel is also now equipped with a swimming pool.

Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
Built in 1861 as a formal entertainment palace for the Mysore royal family, the Jagan Mohan palace became a museum 1915 under the patronage of the maharaja. The entrance hall has a photographic depiction of royal activities in the erstwhile state. A quaint but popular exhibit is the French calendar clock where a group of soldiers play music to indicate the hour. The Mysore Royal Family Gallery has life size portraits painted by Indian and European artists attached to the court. An oil painting by Wesksler, the Wedding Durbar of late His Highness Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1900) is spectacular. Another interesting exhibit is a genealogical table of the Mysore kings from 1399 till today, painted in a leaf form in the Mysore style of art.

Tipu Sultan is represented by etchings of him, his father Haider Ah and scenes from the Srirangapatna war. One moving painting depicts the handing over of Tipu's sons as hostages to the British. The Western Art Gallery has portraits of British Officers, imitations of European Old Masters and three paintings by Rama Varma showing Khedda operation in the jungle.

There is also a section on Himalayan landscape paintings by Roerich, a Russian artist who lived in Nagar, a small town in Himachal Pradesh. An excellent collection of paintings of gods and goddesses represents the Mysore school of art.

On the first floor are a large number of water colours by well known Indian artists like Gaganendranath Tagore, Chugtai, Nandalal Bose and S L Heldenkar. However, the main attractions remain the paintings by Ravi Varma, which include some of his best known works, Galaxy of Musicians, Malabar Lady, Lady in Moonlight and Rama Varma's Harishchandra.

Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
Jagan Mohan Palace, Mysore

Timing: 8.00 am. to 5.30 pm
Open on all days.

St. Philomena's Church
St. Philomena's Church is a famous landmark of Mysore located on the Mysore-Bangalore Road. Its beautiful two 165 feet tall spires draw the attention of tourists and devotees from miles away.

The towers resemble one of the cathedrals at Cologne in Germany and the St. Patrick's Church in New York (USA). Built in Gothic style, it is the largest Cathedral in South Asia, bringing to mind the grandeur of medieval architecture. It houses the relic of 3rd century saint, Philomena, in the beautifully arranged catacomb, below the main altar. It also has an idol of Jesus Christ, lying with his sacred wounds.

Christ was crucified on the Cross and a soldier pierced his side with a spear as seen in the idol. The floor plan of the Roman Catholic cathedral is that of a cross. The long part of the cross is the 'nave' which is the congregation hall. The two arms of the cross are the 'transepts'. The fourth part containing the altar and the choir is the 'crossing'. Daly, a Frenchman, drew the church's design. The Holy Mass is performed daily in Kannada, Tamil and English at the table in the sanctum sanctorum. Behind this is a beautiful marble altar on which the statue of the saint has been kept. Above the sanctum are beautiful stained glass windows from France with paintings showing the birth of Jesus Christ, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

St. Philomena's story goes back to 3rd Century A.D. She was the daughter of the ruler of a small state in Greece. Her parents had no children. They prayed to God that if He granted them a child they would become Christians. Philomena was born the next year and from early childhood she showed signs of piety. When she was 13 years' old, she was taken to Rome for obtaining the favour of Emperor Diocletion. Captivated by her beauty, the Emperor desired to marry her, but Philomena refused his offer as she had vowed to give herself to Christ. For her refusal, she was tortured and beheaded in Rome. However, people's devotion spread all over and she was given sainthood. There are churches dedicated to her all over the world.

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