Short Notes on Kowdiar Palace

The late Maharaja Marthanda Varma (1729-1758) established the royal city of Thiruvithamkoor and established Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) as its capital in 1745. The royal family was always highly engaged in the realms of art and crafts, construction, and learning, and many of their accomplishments can still be seen around the city.

Kowdiar Palace is said to be the most magnificent of the bunch and was erected in 1934 on the occasion of The Travancore Thamburan Maharajah Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma’s sister’s wedding-Princess Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi to Lt. Col. G. V. Raja. The beautiful three-story structure includes around 150 rooms. It also boasts six majestic steeples that can be seen from all across the city, proclaiming the magnificence of this monument. Surprisingly, the castle also includes a wooden elevator.

Architecture

• The Kowdiar Palace is a masterpiece of Kerala architecture. It is situated on a 100-acre plot of land on a tiny hilltop 300 metres above sea level 
• This place was chosen since there were no obstructions in the way, and it provided a fresh breeze of air from the Arabian Sea on its west side 
• It was also constructed in such a way that wind from the southwest Monsoon and the retreading North East Monsoon always flows into the palace through all of its windows and doors 
• Historians claim that this palace was built on Vastu shastra, which required about three months of deliberation by numerous specialists 
• This palace contains 150 rooms and is a massive rectangular building. It was constructed on three levels. Six miniature turrets, like little watchtowers, are built on the rooftops. There are long flowing corridors as well as little pillars surrounding the edifice’s main walls 
• Throughout the structure, there are both little and massive pillars. Its entryway has two large arched pillars that greet visitors to the palace 
• Terracotta tiles cover the roof of this palace. Beautiful artworks can be discovered in the interior. There are well-carved furniture, paintings, and sculptures discovered
• It features a huge kitchen and a dining hall that can seat 500 people at once. Large storage chambers are available for keeping food reserves 
• Its windows are framed with glass, and all rooms have glass-hung lighting. Teak wood is used for the furniture, doors, and window frames. Carvings may be found on the palace’s pillars, doorways, and arched entrances

Kowdiar Palace History

• The Travancore Thamburan King Shree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma erected Kowdiar Palace as a wedding present for his adored sister in 1934 
• This palace was divided among the Thamburatis Laxmi Thirunal and Parvathi Thirunal in 1971 
• It is the last and only palace where the Travancore descendants consented to stay permanently following India’s independence and the dissolution of the princely kingdoms by the government of India
• The Travancore dynasty is well-known for its cultural and architectural related accomplishments  
• This Mahal was the last to be erected in the twentieth century 
• The name Trivandrum was derived from the order of its Thirunal, which ruled over the state. They governed south Kerala from 1729 and held Padhamanabhapuram as their capital till 1949 
• This historic capital is now known as Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala. All of its state administrations’ offices are mostly housed in Travancore-built structures across Trivandrum 

Current Status

• The palace has served as the royal family’s abode, and it is still home to the present Maharajas of the family
• It is not always accessible to the public. A variety of personal belongings and mementoes from past members of the royal family are preserved on exhibit here for future generations

Conclusion

There are many Mahals and royal residences around Kerala. Trivandrum is inextricably linked to the princely state of Travancore, having served as its capital for the final several generations of its rule. All of its state administrations’ offices are mostly housed in Travancore-built structures across Trivandrum. Kowdiar Palace is the most scenic of them all. The palace has both traditional features and modern amenities.