In Mysuru, Why This Famous 1905 Mansion Has Undergone Many Renovations

The Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, located on the premises of Manasa Gangotri, the campus of the University of Mysore, is now all set to be renovated. The Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) has secured a landmark five-year grant of 30 crores from the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF) and also from the prestigious Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) an amount of Rs 2.4 crores. According to reports, its work will be completed by 2027.

The Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion includes a museum with precious artefacts. The Karnataka government recognises it as a historic building. The mansion was built in 1905, during the period of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, for Princess Jayalakshmi Ammani, the eldest daughter of the Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar, for Rs 7 lakh.

The location was specifically chosen to be on top of a small hillock above Kukkarahalli Kere (lake). It was formerly known as ‘the First Rajkumari Mansion’.

Jayalakshmi, the first princess, married Sirdar M Kantharaj Urs in 1897, and he eventually became the Dewan of Mysore. Kantharaj Urs had a residence in the Fort of the Palace named “Gunamba House" after his mother.