
Gol Gumbaz, situated in Bijapur is an astounding engineering feat. Its
enormous "Whispering" dome is second in size only to St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome. The dome is the second largest in the world, 124 feet in
diameter.
The Mysore Palace, built is Indo-Saracenic style with domes turrets, arches
and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and
works of art from all over the world. The tastefully decorated and
inticrately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms.
The walls of the palace are painted with pictures of the Dassera
processions and these paintings are painted in such a manner that from any
angle you can see the procession coming towards you. The royal throne of the
Wodeyars is displayed during the Dassera festival.
The palace has now been converted into a museum, which treasures the
souvenirs, paintings, jewellery, royal costumes and other items, which were
once possessed by the Wodeyars. It is said that the palace displays the
largest collection of gold items, quantity wise. The Durbar hall of the
palace has an ornate ceiling and many sculpture pillars which are said to
have been painted with gold.
The palace was originally built of wood, which got burnt down in 1897 AD
and was rebuilt in 1912 AD.
The Palace Lit Up
This profusely decorated and gilded palace is illuminated every Sundays and
on holidays.