Palaces in Kerala

This is located at Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district, believed to be built by Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai during the reign of King Marthanda Varma. The palace complex occupies 2.87 acres of land. It has narrow corridors and dormer windows, typical of ancient Kerala architecture. One can find 18th century mural paintings in this palace. The famous mural ‘Gajendra Moksha’ is in this palace. This is the largest single-panel mural in Kerala encompassing 154 square feet. There are also some murals with the influence of Nayak period. There is a belief that if any one bathes and worships these murals when dawn breaks, he will be blessed.

There is also a large Buddha statue erected in this palace.

The Dutch Palace located in Mattanchery in Ernakulam district was first built in 1557 by the Portuguese in Oriental style. It was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. Fine examples of 17th century Dutch murals can be seen in this palace. In the centre of this quadrangular building, there is a temple for the Royal Deity Palayanur Bhagavati. In the Palace complex, there are also a Siva temple and a Krishna temple. Articles of warfare, Royal Dress are on display.

particularly those in Mattancherry palace are unique in style and character. Kerala murals are classified as frescoe-secco. Mainly vegetable and mineral colours are used in these murals. Oche reds, yellows, blue and green are the major colours used. These murals have been done in great details. Human figures, their specific facial expressions and emotions are caught by simple lines. There is an underlying symbolism in these murals. Very intricate and fine examples of the murals can also be found in Padmanabhapuram Palace, Ettumanoor and Kayamkulam. There is a mural painting Institute in Guruvayur where one can learn about the origin and history of mural paintings of Kerala.

This palace is situated near Kochi, in Ernakulam district on the road from Ernakulam to Chottanikkara. It was built in 1865 and was at one time the residence of the Royal family of kochi. Kerala’s first Heritage Museum and the largest Archaeological Museum are situated in this palace. Located on the top of a hill and surrounded by ponds, lawns, fountains, the palace contains nearly 50 buildings. 19th century paintings, murals, sculpture, manuscripts, and coins of Royal families are on display. Certain wood carvings and sculptures and ivory items of the 14th century Enadimangalam Temple are also part of the collections here. Copper and bronze ware, copper plates, stone inscriptions and porcelain pots and China dishes add to the variety of display in this museum.

Several species of valuable medicinal plants that grow within the palace complex, the deer park and the Centre for Heritage Studies complement the rare collection of heritage articles.

Poonjar Palace, located in Meenachi taluk of Kottayam district, is about 600 years old. It was built by Poonjar Rajas and almost entirely of wood. There is a beautiful museum with an exquisite collection of furniture, a thoni carved in single wood, palm-leaf engravings, jewel boxes etc.Near the palace, there is an amazing replica of Madurai Meenakshi temple. The rows of lamps (known as ‘chuttuvilakku’ ) carved on the stone walls of Sasta temple nearby are another tourist attraction.

Saktan Tamburan Palace:This palace, located in Thrissur district was built by Raja Rama Varma(1751-1805), who ruled from Cochin from 1790 to 1805. He was known as Saktan Tampuran; hence the name of the palace. He actually reconstructed the palace in 1795 in Dutch style. This palace is also known as Vadakkekara Palace. Many excavated materials, bronze articles of 12th to the 18th century are amonth exhibits in the museum of this palace.

This palace was built in the first half of the nineteenth century by Maharaja Swatithirunal Balarama Varma and is located in Thiruvananthpuram district, near Shri Padmanabha Swamy temple. The Maharaja was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. His versatile personality is reflected in the structure and displayed articles of this palace. Articles of the Royal family and intricate wood carvings are on display here.

It is in Thiruvananthapuram district, located over a small hill. It was built during the reign of Travancore King Sree Moolam Thirunal in early 20th century. Later Maharaja Chitirai Thirunal constructed a Tennis Court in the palace. There is an open-air auditorium-Nishagandhi auditorium. This and the Sooryakanthi auditorium are the venue for several cultural programmes.

Though currently Padmanabhapuram Palace is within the boundaries of Tamil Nadu State, historically and culturally, the Palace relates more to Kerala State. Located around 60 KM south of Thiruvananthapuram, on the way to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, it was built around 1601 by Iravi Varma Kulakshetra Perumal. It is situated inside a granite fort around 4 KM long, at the foot of Veli hills. We can find here the best examples of Kerala’s traditional architecture. The palace has got several parts such as Mantrasala (King’s chamber), Thai Kottaram (Mother’s palace), Nataksala (House of Performing Arts), Thekkee kottaram (southern palace), Manimeda (Clock Tower) and a four-storeyed central building, known as ‘Upprika Malika’. The Navarathri mandapa was built in stone (instead of wood) by Anizhanm Thirunal Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the creation of modern Trivancore. The palace retains several original features. The imposing Royal Bed on a single granite slab is a unique piece of art.

Located in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram district, on the way to Ponmudi (about 18KM from Thiruvananthapuram city) this palace was built for Umayamma Rani of Venad Royal family, the queen of ‘Attingal’, in the 17th century. This palace is a double storey building, built in the traditional ‘naalukkettu’ form. The palace houses a Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum. In the Folklore Museum, the exhibits include several tribal musical instruments, household articles, traditional occupational equipment etc. The Numismatics Museum contains a rich variety of coins dating back to the 2nd century BC, seals etc.

This palace is in Kollam (Formerly Quilon) and is occupied currently by the Indian Army and Public Works Department. This palace is associated with the story of the love of a British Resident for a lady from the palace.