Padmanabhapuram Palace | Kerala | Best Tourist Places in India

Padmanabhapuram Palace | Kerala | Best Tourist Places in India

 

LOCATION:

The palace is emplaced in Padmanabhapuram fort in Thuckaley, near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. It is at a distance of about 65 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.

HISTORY :
The palace was built by Trippapur Moopam, the head of the Trippapur Swarupam Dynasty that ruled over Padmanabhapuram. It was constructed in the 14th Century, as a mud palace in the Nalukettu style of architecture that prevailed in Kerala.

The palace was restructured in the 18th Century, using granite in most of the parts of the fort, by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, King of Travancore, who named the palace Padmanabhapuram after the name of prime deity of Travancore, Lord Padmanabhaswamy.

ARCHITECTURE :

The palace is known to be an architectural marvel of the south, being the largest wooden castle in Asia. The palace gets its uniqueness from its subtle facade, differentiated style of architecture and its intricately carved woodwork and granite work. A collection of 14 ethnic palaces and 127 beautiful royal rooms, Padmanabhapuram palace is a restores the rich cultural heritage and royal styles of living, safely within its periphery.

The palace consists of the King's Chamber called Mantrasala, for council meetings, constructed in the traditional style of Kerala using egg-whites, burnt coconut shells and decorated with colored mica. The King's mother's palace is the oldest one which comprise of sloping roofs and carved pillars, one of which is a masterpiece as it is carved out of a single piece of wood. Natakshala, a huge hall where performances used to take place, has a shiny polished granite flooring and a room for the royal women folk to watch the performances from. Thekee Kotaram also known as the Southern Palace, houses the royal artifacts and various articles of cultural and traditional importance.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:

The royal balcony called Ambarimukhappu, from where the King used to give public appearance and watch various celebrations.

Thaikkottaram or King's mother's palace, with its smooth red flooring, decorated ceilings, open courtyard at the centre and carved pillars is a must-see for visitors. Though much of the curiosity is generated by the dark pathway which acted as a secret exit leading to Charode Palace, which is around 2km from the Padmanabhapuram Palace.

Navratri Mandapam is considered to be the most attractive segment of the palace with its reflective marble flooring and carved pillars, where dance performances take place. It is placed near the Saraswati Temple.

The palace also houses an informative museum that treasures artifacts from 8th to 18th Century including scriptures, arms, murals, paintings and coins, enough to create one's curiosity to know about the ancient culture of the south.

Time tested wooden architecture and carvings in the interiors of the palace, Chinese carvings on the furniture used by the royal family, open air bath, Chandra Vilas, Indra Vilas and the continuously lit brass lanterns are some of the other attractions to check out in the Palace.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Puthenmalika Palace Museum, Kovalam Beach, Museum Complex, Attukal Bhagvathy Temple, Kannakanu Palace, Karikakkom Temple and Christ Church are the important sites near the Padmanabhapuram Temple to enjoy the colors of the beautiful southern India.