On our way home from our visit to friends in Bangalore at the end of last year, we really did the "tourist thing.” We stopped in a town named Mysore (yes, pronounced the way it looks) to see a famous palace.
The palace isn’t really all that old. It was rebuilt with much help from the British, during the time of the maharajas, after the old palace burnt down in the 1890s. But it was quite a home at one time. The really spectacular thing is that, for one hour (7:00 – 8:00 PM Sundays), it is lit up with 97,000 light bulbs! Quite an incredible display.
Going to see it lit up reminded me somewhat of going to a concert-in-the-park back in Canton, Ohio--probably because it was just a low-key, unhurried thing to do on a pleasant evening. Entry was free, though we did have to stand in line for a while at the gate, and people of many colors and backgrounds just wandered around the grounds between the palace and its gates, exclaiming over the beauty of the lights and looking for the best vantage points for pictures.
The next morning we paid to take a tour of the inside of the palace. It was quite impressive—especially the gorgeous ceilings, stained-glass windows, and carved wooden doors. There were two things we were not allowed to take with us on the tour: cameras (actually had to pay to leave them at a little camera-check spot ) and shoes (no charge to hold those for us). Hence, the only pictures you’ll see below are from outside. But if you’re curious, I’m sure you can find more on official Internet sites.
If any post needed pictures, this one does.
Front of palace, lit:
Side of palace, lit: 
Front gate, from inside, lit:
Side of palace, lit: Front gate, from inside, lit:
Palace from distance, with models (hostess Joyce):
Novelty--taking picture in mirror: 
Unlit, still impressive: 
And through the front gate: 
Novelty--taking picture in mirror: Unlit, still impressive: And through the front gate: 
3 comments:
WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine the number of people it takes just to keep up with replacing the light bulbs!!!!
Do you have a link that shows the inside or do we have to find that for ourselves? :)
Such opulence in the midst of such poverty!!
Glad you got a chance to take the tour with your friends.
I like that novelty shot; a good way to be included in a group shot if you don't have a tripod and timer (or unlucky passer-by). You should have taken turns, though, so you wouldn't have someone with a camera in front of his face and someone else with a flash. Too bad you didn't have another mirror behind you, that's always a nice effect.
Do you suppose they'll go green and switch to fluorescent bulbs? It would change the look. Quite an impressive building.
Hope you don't pick up any worms or anything walking around barefoot. :-)
Guess you'll have to look for the link on your own, Mom. Actually, I thought it would be easy to find, but the first few I tried only showed the outside, and looked a lot like mine. (Then I gave up.)
What you didn't see, Mel, were my first 2 tries on the novelty shot. First one just has a bright light where my face should be. Next one has me holding the camera above my head but still using the flash. Finally wised up. But you underestimate the level of chaos at the mirror. I did well to get up front and have a chance to get pictures.
Most places here do seem to use the florescent bulbs--a much higher percentage than back home, I'd say. They don't always fit that well, but no one seems to care.
Trust me, except for this case where it was required, about the only time I'm in my bare feet is when I'm in bed. My indoor shoes are quite suitable for the shower. (Well, if I go to someone's house without a spare indoor pair, I go barefoot, but that doesn't happen much. I even have a pair that I leave at Steve & Mary's place.)
Post a Comment