Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram is a town in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari district. Previously known as Kakulam, Padmanabhapuram was the capital of the Venad Kingdom as it was situated close to steep mountain ranges. The huge Padmanabhapuram or Kalkulam Palace complex, an administrative centre of the old Venad monarchs, is located within the historic Kalkulam fortress. 

Padmanabhapuram Palace’s History

The Padmanabhapuram Palace, located around 64 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram, was the former residence of Travancore’s monarchs. 

The Mudaliyar records explain the origins of the Kalkulam Palace. The Padmanabhapuram Palace was constructed in 1601 by Venad ruler Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal. Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma (r. 1729-1758) restored the palace as well as the fort. The Kalkulam Palace was presented to Shree Padmanabha Swamy, the royal family’s tutelary god. 

The Padmanabhapuram Palace was again found in 1934 by J. H. Cousins, Travancore Government’s Art Advisor, and R. Vasudeva Poduval, who led the Archaeology Department. 

The historic palace was converted into a complex museum in 1935, with the royals’ full cooperation. The palace, which is located in Kanyakumari District, is overseen by a Curator from the Kerala Government’s Archaeological Department.

Padmanabhapuram Palace’s Architecture

The Padmanabhapuram Palace has intricate hardwood and teak woodwork columns. It also has huge earthen urns, holding oil lamps, and coloured magnetite on the window panes. The floors of the Kalkulam Palace are dark and reflective, made using egg whites and coconut shells.

The Kalkulam Palace’s architecture has Chinese carvings on aristocratic seats with 17th-century Belgian mirrors. One can also find murals with complex paintings on the ceilings. These murals show the social life in Padmanabhapuram at the time.

Every element of the palace, from the dance halls to the museums, the council chamber, the dining halls, the Mother Palace, the inner courtyards, and the King’s chambers, has a unique interior.

• The palace’s main entrance is on the west side, which may be accessed by passing through a large courtyard. 
• The council room, known as Manthrasala, is the most magnificent component of the palace. It is where the King’s official meetings were held. This room has tinted mica windows with latticework and dark flooring that keep the room cool.
• The Queen’s Mother Palace, also known as Thai kottaram, is a notable feature of the Padmanabhapuram Palace. It is the palace’s oldest section, having been erected in 1550. Its painted and carved ceilings have floral motifs of over 90 different types, and it was constructed in the Kerala style of architecture. Thai kottaram also features an inner courtyard known as ‘nalukettu.’ 
• The Padmanabhapuram Palace also has a tiny room in its southwest corner called ekantha mandapam. It means ‘chamber of solitude’. In the room is a pillar made of jackfruit tree wood. The pillar has many floral designs carved into it.
• The King’s bedroom consists of a medicinal bed made of 64 types of herbal woods. It was given to the Kind by Dutch merchants.
• The palace also has an audience hall called Natakasala. It is the palace’s newest addition, constructed between 1829 and 1846. It has granite pillars and peepholes for royal women to view the performances.
• The palace’s dining hall provides seating for around 1000 people.
• There is also a hidden tunnel in the castle, called ‘charottu kottaram’. This secret passage was constructed to transport the royals in the event of an attack. It took them to another palace roughly 2 kilometres away. 

Other attractions include:

• Fresco works of art
• Photos of Lord Krishna
• A monastery dedicated to Goddess Saraswati
• Outdoor public swimming baths
• Fish carvings

Conclusion

As the states were reorganised, the old Kanyakumari Region was separated from Kerala and landed in Tamil Nadu. However, the Padmanabhapuram Palace is looked after by the Kerala State Government. 

Thousands of people come to view the palace complex as well as its expansive gardens today. The palace features complex architecture and beautiful floral carvings. The Kalkulam Palace is an iconic example of wooden architecture in India.