The heritage city Mysurru has lots of stately and colonial buildings of beauty and splendor that may leave the visitors spell-binding. Part of the reason is be they Mysruru rulers of the Wodiyar family or the English due importance was given to architecture, aesthetics, and their present and future utility. Many of them were built on a large land so that additional construction or expansion could be possible. Among the old structures, the Government Guest House in Nazarbad close to Wellesley Lodge, Mysuru may be worth mentioning.
Govt. Guest House , Mysuru starofmysore.com |
Constructed in 1805 after the formation of the princely stat of Mysore, the Government Guest House served as the official residence of the British representative in the Mysore kingdom. His job was to maintain the link with the new state adminitrators with the English company, besides keeping a watchful eyes on the young ruler and his staff.
Govt. Guest House, Mysuru,justdial.com |
Since the building happened to be a representative office of the Presidency of Madras, it was built with elements of European architecture that was distinctly colonial. A Tuscan Doric style structure with big tall columns an odd, but an attractive one in this part. A regal look was imparted on it with a sort of triumphal style gateway with an arch at the beginning of the front entrance to the ground and driveway up to the actual building. The guest house with well maintained spacious rooms and verandah was set in the middle of 50 acres of greenery for three obvious reasons:
01. The green flowering plants, trees etc., around the building with wide verandah will keep the interiors cool,
02. Provision for additional building construction and expansion in the future and
03. Most importantly the residents can use the vast green space for perambulation, nice and casual stroll in the cool evening, etc.
The ruling class in those days gave much importance to the last one. It was from here the senior British officer(s) or governors exercised their administrative powers and supervised the kingdom with suspicious eyes being run by the young Rajah, regent and the Diwan. They regularly got in touch with the Presidency Governor in Madras and presented their observations as part of their official duty. The guest house has fine pieces of quality furniture of the past era and rare oil paintings that highlight the regal ambience of the simple but stately building.
Govt. Guest House, Mysuru,justdial.com |
In 2018 there was proposal to have a separate luxurious and attractive accommodation facilities with high security for VIP and VVIPs from the government who would pay a visit to this place on official work. For example PM or any other higher-ups could be put up in the new guest house. The proposal was sent by the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner to the State government seeking administrative approval to construct a new annex building adjacent to the Government Guest House at Nazarbad
Mysuru: If things go as per plan, the city will get a trendy and highly-secure accommodation facility for the likes of President, Prime Minister to stay when they visit Mysuru and nearby areas. A proposal has been sent by Mysuru Deputy Commissioner to the State government seeking administrative approval to construct a new annex building adjacent to the Government Guest House at Nazarbad. A govt. official said that there was an urgent need of 30 to 40 rooms for the VVIP security personnel to stay with an additional five exclusive VVIP rooms for the special guests to stay.
The crux of the problem is accommodating VVP and their security personnel during festival time, etc would be a tough job. The security guards have to be on duty 24 hours.. The proposal included an additional guest house with 50 spacious and classy rooms on the present Govt. Guest house premises plus three helipads for their use.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/mysore/government-house/ps51223123.cms