Worldroom MICE Tourism Guide: India 2008


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	Padmanabhapuram Palace, once the traditional home of the royal family, is a magnificent wooden palace from where the legendary Kings of Venad or old Travancore ruled in the 16th century. Padmanabhapuram was the capital of Travancore and in the late 18th century, the capital was shifted to Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram and the place lost its former glory. The Padmanabhapuram Palace complex is situated about 63 km away from Trivandrum in the Kanyakumari route. It is situated at the foot of the Veli Hills and the river Valli flows nearby. The Palace was constructed by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, who was the ruler of Travancore between 1592 A.D. and 1609 A.D. The palace covers an area of around 7 acres and the complex is housed within massive fortified stone walls 30 ft high. The palace is one of the most wonderful examples of the traditional wooden architecture of Kerala. It is believed that there is not a single nail in the entire palace. It consists of individual structures linked by a maze of corridors, colonnades, verandahs and courts constructed of teakwood and granite. It is maintained by the State Government of Kerala. Exquisite wall paintings, fascinating traditional Kerala architecture, floors finished to a high polish, sunny courtyards with carvings and sculptures, painted mahogany musical ceremonial bows adorn the walls, a huge brass oil lamp hanging from an ornate teak and wooden ceilings profusely carved are some of the outstanding features of this sprawling palace. The King's Council chamber, Mantrasala, is the most beautiful area in this palace. The Thai Kottaram or Mother's palace is the oldest building in the whole structure. The Natakasala or Performance Hall is a comparatively new building built by His Highness Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma. There is a 4-storeyed building at the centre of the palace complex which served as the prayer room of the royal household. Thekke Kottaram or Southern Palace serves as a museum for the storage of antique articles. The palace archeological museum located in the first courtyard from the entrance, houses artifacts including furniture, Travancore coins, wooden and granite sculptures, stone and copper plate inscriptions and ancient armaments such as swords, rifles, spears and shields. Some of the major attractions are the Durbar Hall with a shining black floor; the King's bedroom with a four poster medicinal bed, a gift from the Dutch merchants; pictures of Lord Krishna and mural paintings; an open air swimming bath; a granite dance hall; a temple dedicated to Saraswathi - the goddess of knowledge, prayer rooms with jackfruit tree columns, rooms for scribes and accountants, carved figures on columns holding oil lamps; fish carvings on the ceilings, enormous teak beams, Belgian mirrors and an outer cyclopean stone wall fitted together without mortar. The Padamnabhapuram Palace complex has several other interesting features: The clock tower has a 300 year old clock, which still keeps time. A big hall where ceremonial feasts were held on auspicious occasions lies bare now. It is said that the hall can accommodate around 1000 guests.A secret passage, now blocked, through which the king, his immediate family members, and their entourage could escape to another palace, located several kilometers away, in the event of any emergency. A flight of steps leading to a bathing pond, which has lost its freshness due to neglect and years of disuse. The Palace complex also has a section of curios and several interesting objects. An entire room filled with old Chinese jars, all gifts from Chinese merchants. A variety of weapons, including swords and daggers, which were actually used in warfare. The European style guest rooms with balconies where the European guests could enjoy the cool breeze. One should also look out for brass lamps, wood and stone sculptures, a variety of furniture and large mirrors made of polished metal, a gallery of paintings depicting incidents from the history of Travancore, a wooden cot made of up to 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks, polished stone cots, and large earthen urns which were once used for storing pickles. The most innovative aspect of the palace is the Guide services provided in the palace. There is no paid guide. Instead, there are ladies in almost every alternate room who give the tourist a brief description of the room and also point out articles of interest. They are simple ladies who probably live around the palace and are paid a decent sum every month. No tips are expected. Photography is allowed though one has to pay for using the camera while buying tickets. Guests to the palace are not allowed to enter wearing shoes or slippers in order to maintain the floor polish. The best time to visit the palace is between November and May. The place is less crowded during the monsoon months of June and July. The palace is open to tourists from 9 am to 4.30 pm on all days except Mondays and national holidays From outside, the palace looks small but one must be prepared for a long walk. There are miles of corridors and rooms. Each room in the palace has its own characteristic style. When you go inside, the light is dim, and cool -- and it is quiet. The floors are polished black and seem to emit a soft gleam. Sunlight filters in through the latticed windows. A guided tour through the maze of 108 rooms leaves one breathless at the artistic expression and sheer opulence of the magnificent rooms. There are wooden columns inside, and the ceilings of the rooms follow the shapes of the roofs. It's a truly magical place!