PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE, PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE THUCKALAY, PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE KANYAKUMARI, PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE TRIVANDRUM

PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE

Symbol of rich cultural heritage-Padmanabhapuram Palace is a stunning wooden architecture of the 16th century and is one of the prime attractions of Tamil Nadu in South India. It was constructed around 1601 A.D by Iravi Iravi Varma Kulashekara Perumal who ruled the Travancore between 1592 A.D and 1609 A.D. Formerly, it was known as the Kalkulam Palace but later it was Anizham Thirunnal Martanda Varma the maker of modern Travancore who changed its name to its present name.

After reorganization in 1956, the palace and its assets were retained under the government of Kerala but the earnings of this palace now are equally shared by the two South Indian giant states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This palace is one of the top 10 palaces in the entire globe owing to its picturesque appeal, location and great history.

The masterly created architecture and the history behind this palace attracts large number of people from various parts of the world. This palace truly embarks the authentic style of Keralite architecture on the mind of any visitor visiting this palace for the first time. The old aged interior and the complex rosewood carvings along with the superbly sculptured décor speak lots of things about this wonderful palace. 108 rooms each with different artistic mood and appeal, dining hall that can lodge 1000 patrons, undisclosed secretive passages leading to a palace 2 km away in case of an assault etc. are other features of this mammoth palace.

Decorated with a shiny black floor made from an amalgamation of jiggery lime, burnt coconut, river sand, granite tubs; the Durbar Hall seems extremely beautiful and captivating. The palace is further festooned with murals from the 17th and 18th century, mica coloured windows, royal chairs with Chinese carvings, musical bow in Mahogany etc. which has convert it into a global scenario for tourists and archaeologists alike.

The location of the palace at the foot of the Veli Hills which forms a part of the Western Ghats is equally captivating as the palace. The river Valli flows nearby giving it a much scenic and stunning look. Any visitors visiting this palace are captivated and bewitched by the regal beauty of then Travancore.

Quick Facts

Location: Kalkulam near Thuckalay in Tamil Nadu about 55 km South West of Thiruvananthapuram.
Distance: 1 km from Thuckalay on the way on Thuckalay-Kulasekharam/Thripparappu way.
Total area: 6.45 acres
Dressing Restrictions: There is no particular morale for dressing but it is recommended to dress wisely.
Best time to visit: During day time from the month of November to May.
Visit Hours: Morning 9:00 a.m. to evening 4:30 p.m.
Things not allowed: Creating awkward noises, littering,
Open Days: Open on all days except on Mondays and national holidays.
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for children, Rs. 25 for adults, Rs. 25 for camera and Rs. 1500 for Video Camera.
Enjoyed by: History buffs, experience seekers
Facilities: Bathroom facilities, camera/video allowed, lockers/storage facility, food available for purchase.
Length of visit: About 2 hours
Nearest Railway station: Iraniel (local) at 6 km and Nagercoil (main station) at 15 km.
Suggestion: Read the rules carefully before venturing inside the premises of this palace.
Note: Wearing of footwear inside the premises is not allowed so as to maintain the polish of the floor.

Padmanabhapuram Palace Kanyakumari, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace 

The ancient historical town Padmanabhapuram is one of the four municipalities in the district is 55 Km. south of Trivandrum, about two km. east of Thuckalay and 35 km. from Kanyakumari on the Trivandrum-Cape Comerin road. This town is surrounded by a fort with an area of 187 acres. The ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace with an area of seven acres, is situated in the very centre on the Padmanabhapuram Fort, amidst hills, dales and rivers. The palace which is situated in Kanyakumari District is under the control of a Curator of the Archaeological Department of Kerala Government.

The fort which was built with mud originally was dismantled and reconstructed with granite by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The height of the walls varies from 15’ to 24’ according to the inclination of the ground.

Entrance Hall:- The entrance to the main edifice is controlled by another ornamental gateway with retainers for watch and ward. The gabled entrance has wooden ceiling profusely ornamented with lotus medallions. The most striking feature of the entrance is the clock-tower which is one of the oldest in India erected in 1832 A.D. and still continues to be in working order.

The first floor the Poomuham has a council chamber or Mantrasala which is meant for holding discussions with ministers and prominent citizens. The floor off this hall, which is polished with the admixture of coconut shell ashes, eggs fermented in molasses and lime reflects the figure like a mirror. Next to the Mantrasala is the Dancing Hall which was used exclusively for the members of the royal family.

Adjacent to the Council Chamber and to the south of dancing hall is the dinning hall called “Uttupura”, with two floors (the ground and the first) each measuring roughly 78 by 6 metres and it would accommodate about 2000 people at a time. Feeding of about 2000 poor persons, it is said, was done here every day and so the king was called ”Dharmaraja”.

Uppirika Malika : - The most attractive building in the whole palace is the ‘Uppirika Malika’ which consists of three storied. ‘Uppirika’ is the abbreviated term of ‘Muppirika’ which means the residence of the eldest member of the family. A wooden cot is erected on the top most floor in the belief that “Lord Vishnu” the chief deity. The first floor contains a wooden cot made of 64 medicinal plants, on which Maharaja used to sleep. The medicinal cot was presented to Maharaja “Marthanda Varma” by the Dutch East India Company in 1750, as a mark of friendship.

The Navarathri Mandapa: - To the west of the Zuppirika Mandapa is the Navarathri Mandapa which is a spacious hall of exquisitely beautiful granite pillars with drooping pendants reminiscent of the Nayakar style of architecture. In the Navarathri Mandapa, performances of Bharatha Natya and musical recitals took place in the royal presence.

Visiting Hours : From 09.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 02.00 P.M to 04.30 P.M . Every Monday Holiday

Entry Fee Rs 25 for Adult & Rs.10 for Children.

Fees for Foreigners : Adult Rs 200 & Children Rs 50

Video and Camera Fee are Rs 1500 & Rs 25 Respectively

Separate fee for Car parking