Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram palace cover an area of around 7 acres. The complex consists of individual structures linked by a maze of corridors, colonnades, verandahs, courts and constructed of teakwood and granite and stands within the massive stone walls of 30 ft which kept Tipu Sultan at bay in the 18th century. Exquisite wall paintings, fascinating traditional Kerala architecture, floors finished to a high polish with a special compound of crushed shells, coconuts, egg-white and juices of local plants; sunny courtyards with carvings and sculptures are some of the outstanding features of this sprawling palace housed within fortified walls.
The palace has its main entrance from the west. The 'padipura' or the main gate reached after crossing a large courtyard, displays an ornamented gabled roof. The 'Pumukham', inside the second court, has a profusely carved rosewood and mahogany ceiling with 90 different inverted flowers, a polished granite bed in one corner and an ornate Chinese throne. There is an audience hall on the upper level of the two storeyed building with circular wooden columns and angled timber screens to let in light and air. The third court marks the beginning of the private zone of the palace. Here, on the north of 'Pilamottu Kottaram' is 'Upparikka Malika' (upper storey) or the Perumal Kottaram. Its four chambers, arranged one above the another, connected by steep steps, served as a treasury on the ground floor, the royal sleeping chamber on the second floor, the royal meditation chamber and shrine room on the fourth floor. On days of penance, His Highness took rest on the third floor, which also served as his prayer room. The 18th century Kerala murals on the walls remains unblemished even after centuries and surpass even those at Mattancherry palace in Kochi. There is also a four poster medicinal bed of 64 ayurvedic healing woods here, many presented by the Dutch.
Each room in the palace has its own characteristic style. A guided tour through the maze of 108 rooms leaves one breathless at the artistic expression and sheer opulence of these magnificent rooms. Painted mahogany musical ceremonial bows adorn a wall, a huge brass oil lamp hangs from an ornate teak, wooden ceilings profusely carved etc are a feast to the eyes.
The manthrasala (Council chamber) with a shiny hard black floor specially made from a combination of egg white, jaggery lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand, granite tubs to cool curd and buttermilk and some coloured mica in the windows, is situated right at the top of the portico of Pilamoottu Kottaram (palace). The 'mattuppavu' (balcony) situated on the south served as the dining hall of the palace employees. An enormous 2 storeyed hall served as an 'oottupura' ( dining hall), where 2,000 Brahmins were fed free once daily. The paintings in the prayer room are simply superb. However this room is mostly kept locked and one has to have permission to enter. The fourth court of the palace occupies the east part of the complex.
Kanakakunnu Palace
Protected by the tourism department the palace plays host to a lot of cultural meets and programs. the palce grounds is anexcelletn for joggers ans family to relax in the evenings. The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has listed this place as a heritage monument.
The Nisagandhi open-air auditorium, is located within the palace compounds and is a sought after venue for staging various cultural programs and other entertainment extravaganzas. the Nishagandhi open air auditorium palys host to a week long festival of Indian Classical dances including Barathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohinayattam etc. Various artists participate in this week long cultural extravaganza. The Sooryakanthi auditorium is a very popular venue which stages exhibitions, trade fairs and cultural programs. The palace grounds also hosts a week long food festival which sees the participation of hotels from all over Trivandrum.
Kuthiramalika Palace
The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is a major tourist attraction of the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram and is easily accessible. Located at a distance of about 1 km from the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Junction and about 6 km from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the museum truly showcases the beautiful spirit of the state of Kerala and reveals to the international visitor glimpses of the glorious history of India.
Koyikkal Palace
The Folklore museum was set up in the year 1992 and houses many ancient musical instruments and models of folk arts. One can also find rare articles like an ancient percussion instrument that was used while a ballad like Ramayana. Another small instrument that was a very sweet sounding instrument, made of wood and string is also exhibited over here. This instrument was used during Onam festival in Kerala in old days. The museum also has a number of household utensils made in brass and copper that was used during ancient times.
The Numismatics museum over here is one of its kind, as it houses a vast collection of coins from different eras. An ancient coin belonging to the Venetian era is also exhibited here and it is believed that this coin was presented to Jesus Christ. Ancient coins belonging to the time when trade first started in Kerala are also exhibited over here. The museum has a huge collection of Roman coins and also has coins belonging to different empires that ruled India.
Kilimanoor Palace
The Palace complex is mostly constructed in the traditional residential structures of Kerala similar to that of the Nalukettu. It covers more than six hectares, and also comprises small and medium sized buildings, two ponds, wells and sacred groves (kaavu). The construction of some of the buildings is attributed to Raja Ravi Varma who is said to have built and maintained them from the proceeds of his paintings. Families related to the Travancore royal house continue to live here.
Krishnapuram Palace
The three-storied Krishnapuram Palace in Alappuzha is built in Kerala style of architecture. It has got gabled roofs, dormer windows and narrow corridors. This palace has been the residence of the rulers of the Kayakulam kingdom. Due to its historical value as well as importance for tourism, the Krishnapuram Palace is now turned to an archaeological museum with a fascinating 49 square meter Gajendra Moksham, which is the largest single band of mural painting so far discovered in Kerala. The palace has been renovated in the 18th century and is now under the archaeology department.
This 18th century Krishnapuram Palace was built during the reign of Marthanda Varma, who was a Travancore Monarch. The compound has beautiful gardens with lush greenery all around the palace.
Dutch Palace
The Dutch Palace in Kochi is a two stored building built around a central courtyard. This traditional style of architecture is known as 'nalukettus' in Kerala. The entrance of the palace is arch shaped, which leads to the suite of public rooms. The rounded doors and windows, the masonry walls of Dutch Palace gives it a European look.
But the Indian flavor is more prominent in this palace. There is a temple in the courtyard of the palace, dedicated to the protective God of the Kochi Royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavati. There are two more temples on either side of the Dutch Palace at Kochi, each dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. The interior wooden panels of Dutch Palace depicts the weapons, headdresses, robes and palanquins of the Rajas of Kochi. The mural paintings of Dutch Palace exhibits epic scenes from the puranic legends like Ramayana and Mahabharata. These paintings are mainly found in the bed chambers and covers almost an area of 1000 sq ft.
The tourists to Dutch Palace, Kochi also have the privilege to visit the famous Kochi synagogue. It was built way back in 1567.
Arakkal Palace
The architecture is interesting exhibiting local flavours such as using materials like wood and laterite and there is a large open ground to offer the daily Muslim prayers which is done for five times called “Namaz”. “Kettu” is the palace complex which interconnects the Namaz area. There are four mosques around the palace. One of these blocks has a cot, seating chair and a lamp is always lit as this place is considered sacred. It looks like business was booming at this time as there were trade houses and warehouse facilities. The family followed a matrilineal system of descent and there was no discrimination done based on gender. The male rulers were known as Arakkal Raja and the female rulers were known as Arakkal Beewis.
Aranmula Palace
Pandalam Palace
Shakthan Thampuran Palace
The palace has been constructed in a unique combination of Dutch and traditional Kerala style of architecture. Very few structures in Kerala have such a unique combination that has been skillfully blended together to make such a magnificent palace. The palace has mainly two stories and a traditional Kerala "Naalukettu". The palace is marked by high roofs, thick walls, large rooms and Italian marble flooring. The construction and interiors are done so tastefully and comfortably that it remains cozy irrespective of weather conditions.
Anyone who visits the palace will come to know that the rulers of Mysore have also stayed in this grand palace. In fact, the great ruler Tipu Sultan is believed to have set up a flag mast in front of the palace, which can be seen even today. The palace also has a serpent grove, locally known as "Sarpakaavu", which has been worshipped since ancient times. Serpent worship is almost a ritual in Kerala and has been practiced since many centuries. The palace also houses a museum that has collections like ancient bronze sculptures and statues and ancient manuscripts.
Halcyon Castle
Poonjar Palace
Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple.
The walls of this temple bear sculptures that narrate stories from the Puranas (the legends of ancient India). However, the most fascinating thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on the stonewalls of the Sastha Temple nearby. Such rocks cut lamps are rare in India.
