Padmanabhapuram Palace - History Carved In wood

           

 A magnificent wooden palace of the 16th Century,Padmanabhpuram Palace is a fine specimen of Kerala's  indigenous style of Architecture

A Kerala palace in Tamil Nadu, surprised? Padmanabhapuram Palace is located in Padmanabhapuram Fort in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, but the palace and its surroundings are owned and governed by the Kerala State. The place called Padmanabhapuram was the capital city of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom. At a distance of about 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram and around 20 km from Nagercoil, this palace is located against the backdrop of the Veli Hills that form a part of the Western Ghats.

The Padmanabhapuram Palace

The palace was built by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, the ruler of  Travancore in 1601 AD. It was also called Kalkulam Palace.                               

It’s said that after the Kulachal war in 1741, the King Marthandavarma rebuilt this palace to its current state. The palace is made of wood with the traditional building methods that we call Taccusastra (science of taccu or carpentry).                                                                                                      There is no spectacle of pomp and show about the palace. It looks understated and does not have the regular opulent look as we see in most palaces in India.                                              

  Spread across some 6.5 acres of area, there are around 14 palaces that have stood the testimony of time and still enthrall its visitors replete with intricate rosewood carvings, windows with coloured mica and carved ceilings with around 90 different floral designs.

      

INSIDE THE PALACE

As you enter the palace complex, the first structure is Poomukham with images of horse riders on both sides of the entrance, showcasing exquisite wood carvings. It was here that the erstwhile king used to entertain his special guests. 

'Kuthira Vilaku' Horseman Lamp

The wooden ceilings are ornamented with almost 90 lotus medallions carved onto the structure and each flower is different from the other. Among the rare features of the palace are a chair presented to the former king by Chinese merchants and Onavillu presented as a tribute by landlords and chieftains of different clans during the festival of Onam. Adjacent to this structure is the Manimalika (Clock Tower) that is believed to be some 200 years old. The tower contains a rather unique clock as its movement is regulated by two weights made  up of disc-shaped blocks, that is raised every week by a 1.5 meter pendulum. Mantrasala, the king’s Council Chamber and Uttupura, the Dining Hall, are other parts of this structure.

'Manimalika' Clock Tower

Next structure is Thaikkottaram (Mother’s Palace). Built of finely decorated and carved wooden pillars, the structures display the local indigenous style of wood carving.

Pillars of the Palace

Wooden architecture on the side walls 

Another structure famous for its architecture, breathtaking beauty and exquisite carvings is Navarathri Mandapam, built by King Marthandavarma in 1744 AD. The place speaks of the rich cultural and artistic tradition. Next to this mandapam is the Saraswati temple where the stone sculptures on the pillars display the sheer skills of the local artisans. 

On the southern side of the complex lies a palace called Thekkekkottaram. Now turned into a heritage museum with old palace articles and belongings of the royal family, one can witness kitchen utensils, articles like book reading pane, easy chair, walking stick, hand fan, swing (jhula) and mural paintings of the era among other items. 

Excellent Craftsmanship

Ambari Mukhappu

There is a long corridor bordered with small balconies on the sides called Ambari Mukhappu (bay window). This was built for the kings to view chariot races during festivals and to appear before the public on special occasions. Ambari is actually the seat put on elephant’s back for safaris. The building was constructed based on the shape and structure of an ambari. This is a perfect example of craftsmanship of Travancore. As you move along the corridor, you will witness fine lattice work on the sides of the pathway.

Come and enjoy the architectural grandeur and royal splendour of erstwhile Travancore at Padmanabhapuram Palace. 

The Following article was published in the September 2015 issue of Spiceroute,which is an in flight magazine of Spicejet airways.The link for the same is as below                                                                                            http://www.spiceroutemag.com/wooden_palace_of_Kerala.html                                                                                                                                            Please share your thoughts & comments                                                         Join my Facebook page :https://www.facebook.com/SujithPhotostream             Copyrights Sujith Nair - ©SujithPhotography                                                   All rights reserved 2015