The Mysore Palace Board will illuminate the Amba Vilas Palace at a time convenient for people interested to view it, of course at a price. The beauty of the structure comes alive when over a lakh bulbs are switched on.
At present, the Mysore palace is illuminated for public from 7 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays. However, tourists or groups interested to view the illuminated palace on days other than Sunday and public holidays for 30 minutes have to pay Rs. 50,000 to the Board in advance and get the palace illuminated exclusively for themselves at a time convenient for them.
The facility was introduced last year and so far two “exclusive” illuminations had been arranged – one for the Department of Tourism and another for the scion of Mysore royal family Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, according to Mysore Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya.
He told The Hindu that not many were aware of the facility available though the Board had passed on the information to travel and tour operators.
Besides on Sundays and public holidays, the palace is illuminated for three minutes every day after the Sound and Light show, which was introduced six months ago.
Earlier, the palace was illuminated for 30 minutes on Saturdays to attract tourists. But, after the Sound and light Show was launched, a decision was taken to illuminate the palace for three minutes after the show and discontinue illumination on Saturdays.
Also, the duration of illumination was reduced by 15 minutes – from 7 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. “The duration of illumination on Sundays has been reduced since we are illuminating the palace on other days,” said Mr. Subramanya.
He said the price for exclusive illumination was fixed at Rs. 50,000 after calculating electricity cost, manpower cost and other expenses.
“It may not be possible for some visitors and tourists to be present in Mysore on Sundays or public holidays to watch the illumination. Mega events happen regularly in the city. It may be business events, conferences etc. Sometimes, large group of tourists visit the city. The facility was introduced in their interest so that they do not miss the attraction,” he said.
Those wishing to avail themselves of the facility can get in touch with the Board office and make the booking at least a week in advance. “We have to fix the slot for the exclusive illumination between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. since we have Sound and Light show (except Sunday) from 7 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.,” he said.
Show in English, Hindi
The English and Hindi version of Sound and Light show at the Mysore palace will be introduced by May. The script is getting ready and the promoters have been asked to rope in nationally and internationally known celebrities who can lend their voice to the show, said Mr. Subramanya. The
Kannada version was introduced six months ago and the response to the show was good. According to him, though seating arrangement is made only for 250, more than 500 people buy the tickets and sit on the lawn and watch it.
