What to see at Padamanabhapuram Palace

The Padamanabhapuram Palace is named after the presiding deity of Travancore, Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Vishnu’s reclining form. It got this name when it was rebuilt in the 18^th century by Marthanda Varma during whose reign the kingdom of Venad became the famed Travancore. And it is from the Padmanabhuparam Palace that Travancore kings ruled before the seat of power shifted to Thiruvanthapuram in 1795 AD. In its earlier avatar it was built in what is called Nallukettu style of a traditional mud structure in 1601 AD by Iravipillai Iravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal. 

Even today, 500 years after, it’s not merely tourists but architects and habitat conservationists who flock to the Padamanabhupuram Palace to study its traditional Kerala style plans. For its unique 14 all wood structure of teak, ebony and mahagony spread over 6 acres that has weathered the test of time with elegant grace.

The Palace comprises of:

·         The “Mantrashala” or King’s council chamber above the first floor entrance

·         The “Ekandamandapan” or the Abode of Solitude which is part of the “Thai Kottaram” the earliest building to come up in the palace complex

·         The “Nataksala” which is the columned dance hall that opens out in front of the Shrine of Goddess Saraswati. Women watched the performances from the holes in the wooden slats running alongside and others through holes in the ceiling above

·      The “Thekee Kottaram” which means Southern Palace is now the heritage museum

·         The four storeyed structure built by Marthanda Varma at the centre

The USP of the Palace

·         108 opulent rooms that will take your breath away (pun intended)

·         A 300 year old clock tower whose clock is still ticking

·         Lattice windows that Laurie Baker adapted

·         Sloping roof with gables

·         Natural air conditioning in the form of tanks below benches on the lower floors. Scent from herbs in the water wafted upwards leaving behind a soothing fragrance

·         18^th century Puja murals on the second floor of the 4 storeyed structure

·         Intricate floral patterns on ceilings in the rooms

·         Coloured Mica window panes in the “Mantrashala”

·         Detailed floor paintings in the “Ekandamandapan”

·         A trapdoor with a secret passage

·         A single piece of jack wood creates a stone and column

·         Belgian mirrors and Tanjore miniatures of Lord Krishna in the private quarters

·         Raja’s bed – a four poster given by the Dutch and made of 16 medicinal wood extracts

·         Raja’s bedroom carved with human figures, birds and a snake symobolising the physician

·         4 km long stone and granite fort surrounds the Palace

·         Floor finish process now extinct:

The floors were brushed with burnt coconut shells

Sugarcane extract, banana and egg whites was poured as a sealant

Coconut husk was used as a polishing agent

Voila, a rich wooden hue of mahagony

Reaching There

It lies between Thiruvanthapuram (52km) and Kanyakumari so you can catch the bus going either way – from Thampanoor bus stand in the former or back from the latter. You can also take the bus going to Nagercoil(20km). Get off at Thakkaly and proceed to the Palace