Oriental Research Institute Mysore 🇮🇳

Located at the northern end of Krishnaraja Boulevard in Mysore, India, the Oriental Research Institute (ORI) offers you an intriguing glimpse into ancient academic history. Housed inside the architecturally attractive Jubilee Hall—built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee—the institute originated in 1891 as the Government Oriental Library under Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X. If you are passionate about Indology and rare texts, this historic library is a fascinating destination.

You can explore a massive collection featuring over 45,000 palm leaf manuscript bundles containing 75,000 works written in scripts such as Grantha, Devanagari, and Malayalam. When you visit, you will learn about the institute's rich heritage, including its discovery and 1909 publication of Kautilya’s 4th-century BC Arthashastra, written in Grantha script on dried palm leaves. You will also see how staff protect these delicate organic artifacts from silverfish using natural lemongrass oil, which keeps the brittle leaves flexible and dry.

Beyond ancient scrolls, the institute houses famous reference collections like Hastings' Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics and critical editions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is a truly unique center for experiencing India’s preserved written heritage.

What to see at Oriental Research Institute Mysore

• Historic 1887 Jubilee Hall architecture located on Krishnaraja Boulevard
• Over 45,000 palm leaf manuscript bundles spanning 75,000 works in ancient scripts
• The famous preserved palm leaf manuscript of Kautilya's 4th-century BC Arthashastra
• Unique preservation process using lemongrass oil to keep ancient palm leaves intact
• Rare reference books including critical editions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata

Visiting tips

Inquire about viewing original palm leaf manuscripts or digitized restored versions on computer screens during your visit.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Oriental Research Institute Mysore is easy to reach on Mysore’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Mysore Palace and St. Philomena's Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Mysore travel guide.