Mysore was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars when
they ruled over Mysore State. Mysore is often called the 'City of
Palaces' because of the many palaces and royal buildings that dot the
different parts of the city. A museum that gives you an insight into the
life and lifestyle of the Wodeyars of Mysore is the Private Residential
Museum. This museum is attached to the Mysore Palace and is located in
the old portion of the Palace. Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wodeyar the
heir of the Mysore royal family has set up this museum.
On display are some rooms of the Palace and objects that are part of
the personal collection of the Royal family. The living room of
Krishanraja Wodeyar is on display. The room has intricately carved doors
and the pillars of the room have gold leaf painting, stained glass
windowpanes and have marble and tiled floors. From the personal
collection of the Wodeyars on display are objects like crystal
chandeliers and furniture, silver thrones, utensils and priceless
paintings of the old Mysore School, palanquins, oriental furniture,
Chinese inlay chairs, pooja items, costumes, uniforms, trophies and the
personal armory of the erstwhile rulers.
Objects worth paying attention to include a replica of an elephant,
silver clock with a photo of Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, 'Vajra
Mushti' wrestling trophies of the Maharaja, birthday (Vardhanti) throne,
silver wedding throne of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, photographs including
those of a polo championship, of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his brother
Narasimharaja Wodeyar and of the 1940 Dasara procession and the silver
throne of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III used for religious purposes (Bhadra
Peeta) with lion shaped legs. On display is an excellent collection of
royal artifacts from the personal collection that is worth seeing.
