Padmanabhapuram Palace,India.

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We recently visited Padmanabhapuram palace in India.Before I get into the topic of the Ancient Architecture and the Splendid Construction of the Palace, I would like to mention this: My all-time favourite Malayalam movie “Manichitratazhu” was filmed here. Major part of the movie and the climax scene were filmed in Padmanabhapuram palace and Hill Palace, Tripunithura in Kerala, India.Those who have seen the movie will agree on how amazingly captivating the whole story of the movie was.

Below is the link to the movie for those who wish to see the movie: Genre of the movie is Horror.It is a horror movie with a brilliant story. A must watch for people who wish to watch a horror movie with a great plot in it other than just the usual bloodshed and Screams.
Click here for the movie” Manichitratazhu” with English Subtitles.
I have always found something incredibly enticing when it comes to ancient Palaces in Kerala. Apart from the story, excellent cast and the soundtrack one of the major reason the whole movie was a success was the location where the movie was filmed. I personally felt, the ancient archaic look of the old mansion definitely added essence to the whole film. I am very much excited about writing this blog because I have always wanted to go visit Padmanabhapuram palace not just because of the fact that this movie was filmed here but also for its rich history and architecture.

As I walked through the palace taking Photographs I was amazed by the extensive intricate work done to build and design the whole Palace.

Padmanabhapuram also called city of Lord Vishnu, is a place situated in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. Padmanabhapuram palace was the citadel of the former Hindu Kingdom of Travancore i.e of the Venad Dynasty .Later the Capital of the Kingdom of Travancore ruled by the Travancore Royal Family  was shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Though the Palace is situated in Tamil Nadu it is still owned and maintained by Government of Kerala, India.
Padmanabhapuram palace is now a renowned historical monument under the protection of Archaeology Department. It is considered one of the most exquisitely constructed wood palaces of all times. The Padmanabhapuram palace is actually a huge palace complex comprising of 14 buildings(Palaces) spread over an area of 6.5acres, built featuring an elaborate display of architecture of ancient Kerala.
The interior of the palace is sculptured with beautiful intricate wood carvings and  walls embellished with splendid mural works. The buildings in the Palace Complex are named as follows:
1)Poomukham.
2) Plamoottil Kottaram.
3) Veppinmoodu Kottaram.
4) Thaikkottaram.
5) Uttupura.
6) Homappura.
7) Uppirikka Malika.
8) Ayudhappura.
9)Chandravilasam.
10) Indra Vilasam.
11) Navaratri Mandapam.
12) Lekshmi Vilasam or Puthenkottaram
13)Thekkekkottaram.
I was awed by the beauty of the Palace. History is a wonderful topic for those who are really interested in it. Now let me give a glimpse of how Padmanabhapuram palace looks like. However, visiting the Palace in person and appreciating the meticulous carvings on the walls, doors and ceiling definitely is worth your time.
The names of each building might sound quite unfamiliar to many. The Language used is “Malayalam”.Translation of each term is given below:

• Poomukham– is the main gate leads to main entrance building called Poomukham. The huge gate at the entrance built in the traditional and authentic Kerala style with the exquisite wooden doors with intricate wood carvings on it, is what we see as we enter the palace.

• Mantrashala [Council Chamber]: As we enter the first floor of the Poomukham we see the Mantrashala or the Council Chamber. This is the chamber where the King used to communicate with his ministers. There were magnificent wooden carvings of lotuses and Gajalakshmi (Goddess Lakshmi)on the ceiling.

• Manimalika [The Clock tower]: Official guide (recruited by Govt of kerala) said that this clock is believed to be about 200 years old. I was intrigued by the unusual mechanism by which the clock works. Two heavy weights made up of disc shaped blocks of rocks suspended from the escapement wheel by chains about 9m long were responsible for the motive force. The movement of the clock being regulated by the weights raised up every week and by a 1.5 m pendulum.The Striking of the mallet against the huge bell produces a sound which is heard by people within a radius of 3 kms.

• Uttupura [Dinning hall]: This is adjacent to Mantrashala (Council chamber).It has two floors and can accommodate about 2000 people at a time on occasions where free food was served to them.

• These thirteen ‘Chinese Jars’ were used for preserving pickles.

• Thaikkottaram[ Mother’s palace]: This is the oldest building the palace complex. The building is constructed in a typical traditional Kerala house style, with Nalukettu (Four houses) with a Nadumuttam (an open courtyard) at the centre.

• Homappura: This building was mainly used for performing ‘Homam’ (Religious offerings to god ).This is a single storey building. To the east side of Homappura they have a saraswathi temple[This is where the famous movie His Highness Abdula] was filmed.

Navarathri mandapam– This was used for cultural dance and music performances during the Navaratri Festival in the 19^th.The Granite Hall meant for Navarathri(a Hindu Festival of Nine days) Dance Programs  stands just beside the Saraswathy Temple. Back to reference to Manichitratazhu  movie : This is the hall where the song “Oru murai vanthu paarthaaya” was filmed.

• Uppirikka malika– this is a four-storey building. Royal treasury is stored in the ground floor.

Kerala is rich in mural paintings and the top floor of this building is where all the mural paintings were stored. This building was used to display all the exquisite mural paintings hung on the walls of Uppirikka malika. Mural paintings are based on stories from puranas

• Things exhibited in this building are as follows;

• Indravilasam – was built during the reign of Marthanda Varma for reception of foreign delegates. This was used more like a guest house for important delegates who visit the palace to meet the King.

• Thekkekkottaram [The Southern Palace]- earlier used as domestic apartment is now maintained as a Heritage museum. Visitors can see how people evolved over the years, things that they used during ancient times etc.

I was amazed by the scrupulous art works and wooden carvings in every pillar, doors and ceilings of this palace. Something that I truly admire is the ancient Indian Architecture. For example: most of the floors in this palace were made of various ingredients like burnt coconut shells and egg white. I loved the cool and smooth floor the most. To recreate these construction techniques and intrinsic architectural works is impossible these days. You can hardly find people having this knowledge. In the era where we use cement and bricks as our main construction ingredients, the mere thought of floors being built of egg white and burnt coconut shells is unbelievable.

Few Pictures of the Marvelous wooden carvings ,Sculptures .

Marvelously Sculptured Sculptures:

This way I could go on forever explaining every amazing thing that I saw at Padmanabhapuram Palace. This Blog is just a mere Glimpse of the Palace and its Beauty. There is so much more  to know  when you see the palace in person. For those who adore History and Archaeology this is definitely a ‘MUST VISIT’ Palace in India.
By: Aswathi Ashok