Lalith Mahal has symbolised king-size luxury for long

 Lalita Mahal Palace, which the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has decided to disinvest, is originally a palace. The state government had leased it to the ITDC and it was run as a five-star heritage hotel since 1974.

It is a living example of the culture and heritage of the erstwhile princely state of Mysuru. The Wadiyar kings of the Yadu dynasty built it to accommodate the royal guests and also for personal use. It was inaugurated by the then ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in 1921. Among his important guests were the Viceroys of India.

Designed and planned by E W Fritchley, an architect from Bombay, it was constructed by contractor B Munivenkatappa at a cost of Rs 13 lakh on 47 acres of land. The palace, in Renaissance style, reflects English manor houses and Italian Palazzos.

The shimmering white palace is on an elevated plain, at the foot of the Chamundi Hill, set in a sprawling terraced and landscaped gardens.

The building is a majestic, two-storey composition of twin ionic columns, a projecting porch on the ground floor, spherical domes with lanterns and the central dome which dominates the elevation. It has immaculately polished venation marble floors, expensive carpets, ornate rosewood furniture and balustrade staircase.

The central hall is adorned with lifesize portraits of the kings, lithographs portraying Tipu Sultan’s skirmishes with the British, decorative motifs on the walls and ceiling, Belgian glass dome, carved wood shutters, wall panels and myriad touches of regal embellishment. The accommodation consists of 54 stately suites and rooms. They are 30 deluxe rooms, three heritage rooms, six heritage classic rooms, two executive suites, two heritage classic suites, two standard rooms and five turret rooms.

It includes a swimming pool, billiards room, tennis court, chess, jogging track and health club. The erstwhile ballroom was recreated as a gourmet restaurant.

General Manager of the hotel Joseph Mathias said, the procedure of handing over the property to the state government would be completed before March 2018.

Minister’s statement
Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge told DH that the hotel will be promoted and developed on the lines of palace hotels in Rajasthan.

To make the operations more professional and ensure conservation, the department will go for public private partnership through open bids. Kharge said that things will be finalised in the coming days and MoUs will soon be signed.

Other officials from the Tourism department said that the decision of the central government was not new as the hotel originally belonged to the state government’s tourism department.

“The hotel was leased to ITDC for operations and management for a period of 30 years. This is the 29th year and the lease was expiring soon. So, the hotel was to come back to the state government,” the official said.

The palace hotel was being used by the tourism department to host its guests during Dasara celebrations. The hotel was also used to host guests onboard the Golden Chariot during the Mysuru leg of the tour.

The white palace was used by the Mysuru Maharaja in 1931 for special guests of the royal family. The hotel offers a combination of royal heritage and international facilities, thus making it the most sought after hotel in Mysuru by domestic and international tourists.