Grandeur lost to neglect: Built in 1895 during British rule, this gateway needs repair works

Mysuru: The heritage gateway on Krishnaraja Boulevard, near the Old Deputy Commissioner’s Office, has been crying for attention. One of the oldest gateways in the heritage city of Mysuru, it is believed to have been built in 1895 during British rule.

The gateway served as the entrance to the residence of James Davidson Gordon, the then Chief Commissioner of Mysore.

Following the end of British rule in India, the residence was converted into the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, which functioned there until recent years before the office was shifted to its newly constructed building at Siddarthanagar.

The gateway also leads to the Oriental Research Institute (ORI), University of Mysore’s Crawford Hall, Yuvaraja and Maharaja Colleges, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat and the Mysore Law Courts Complex.

Having given importance to art and culture, the Wadiyars ensured that many impressive architectural marvels were built during their reign. These structures stand today as a royal stamp, reflecting their grandeur and aesthetic sense. Among them are magnificent gateways built in front of several heritage structures in the Indo-Saracenic style.

No maintenance

However, in recent years, many of these heritage structures have been left in a neglected state. While the authorities gave the gateway a fresh coat of paint ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mysuru, there has been little maintenance apart from this.

The pillars of the gateway have been crumbling, with the old plaster peeling off and exposing the bricks underneath.

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), which has been conducting several programmes to create awareness about maintaining cleanliness in the city, must also turn its attention to these gateways, which form an integral part of Mysuru’s heritage.

These architectural marvels are a visual treat and among the lasting gifts of the Wadiyars, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru.

Prominent gateways in the city include Royal Gateways of Mysore Palace — majestic Jayamarthanda Gate, Varaha Gate, Balarama and Jayarama Gates, Karikallu Thotti Gate, Brahmapuri Gate and Amba Vilas Gate.

Other notable gateways and arch gates include the arch gate opposite the Sub-Urban Bus Stand, arch in front of the Government Guest House in Nazarbad; the entrance gate to Anandeshwara Mutt next to Teresian College in Siddarthanagar; the gateway on Ashoka Road in N.R. Mohalla; the gateway to Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel on T. Narasipur Road in Siddarthanagar and the grand entrance to the Mysore Dasara Exhibition Grounds, which is relatively new compared to the city’s other heritage gateways and arch gates.

Mysuru City Corporation is in charge of maintaining the heritage arches and gateways. Now that the issue regarding their maintenance has been brought to my notice, I will instruct the MCC Commissioner to inspect the existing gateways and initiate measures to take up maintenance works.

— G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Dy. Commissioner, Mysuru