Padmanabapuram Palace

The old palace at Padmanabhapuram 15 kms from Nagercoil on the highway to Trivandrum is a rare archaeological museum containing fine architectural, works, sculptures, mural paintings and weapons of war. The ancient town is surrounded by a square fortification of stone about 4 kms perimeter. The beautiful Mantrasala (Council Chamber) which displays exquisite wood carvings, Thaikottaram the oldest of all edifices, Ayudhasala, the store house of weapons utilised for war, the three storied edifice called " Upparikka Malika" containing the famous Chamber of murals hailed as "the Ajanta of Kanyakumari" and a wooden cot made of 64 medicinal plants, the hall of historical oil paintings known as "Chitralaya", the Navarathri mandapa with a shrine of Saraswathi and an ancient clock tower are the note worthy features of the palace. The story of Ramayana which has been depicted dramatically around the inner prakara on 145 wooden panels in the Ramaswamy temple inside the fort is one of the bes specimens of wood art in the whole of India.

The rulers of Travancore, a princely state for over 400 years, which included a good part of present-day Kerala and part of western Tamil Nadu, ruled from this palace, replete with outstanding wood carvings, stone sculptures and fantastic murals. The paintings in the prayer room are some of the best found anywhere in India. However this room is mostly kept locked and one has to have permission to enter it. Each room in the palace has its own characteristic style and is unique in its outlay. One is transported to a bygone era as soon as one steps into the entrance hall (a verandah). A huge brass oil lamp hangs from an ornate teak, rosewood and mahogany ceiling carved with ninety different lotus flowers. On the wall is a painting of onamvillu, ceremonial bows being offered to a reclining Lord Vishnu on the occasion of Onam (a harvest festival). Another interesting artifact is the sword placed in front of Lord Vishnu’s idol in the prayer room.

The palace is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on all days except Mondays. Frequent buses run from Thiruvananthapuram’s Thampanoor bus stand to Padmanabhapuram. Another way is to board any bus for Nagercoil or Kanyakumari and alight at Thakkalay.