The crowning glory of Kerala architecture, the epitome of mural art and the largest wooden palace in India is the Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. Padmanabhapuram Palace is located within the 186-acre Padmanabhapuram (Kalkulam) fort, 55 km south of Thiruvananthapuram, on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari National Highway, two kilometres east of Thuckalay. Padmanabhapuram, also known as Kalkulam, was the seat of Travancore, one of the most powerful princely states in Kerala. This palace complex, spread over six acres, amazes visitors with its architecture, murals and sculptures. All the amazing buildings on this premises, including Poomuga Malika, Taikottaram, Homappura, Uppirika Malika, Indravilasam and Thekekottaram are currently under the conservation of the Department of Archaeology, Kerala.
Filled with the magic of royal splendor, these palaces and structures take visitors to the wonderland of the past. In addition to this, the archaeological museum introduces visitors to the artefacts of the bygone era. In 1994, the museum started functioning where the old stable was located adjacent to the palace.
Single wood pillars, stone sculptures, beautiful wooden sculptures like Veena bearing Saraswati, ancient stone inscriptions, copper plates, weapons, a large collection of old coins, Chinese jars, Belgian mirrors, sapramancha made of 64 types of medicinal wood, etc. await visitors here. Ranakirti Rekha of the king Komaran Chadayan of the 8th century C.E. Parthivapuram Copper Plate of Ai king Ko KaruNanthadukkan in 864 C.E., VikramadityaVaraguna's Paliyam Chepedu, etc. are the most noticeable of these. Special weapons, including Guns of Travancore Army, Chitravadhakkudu (a cage used for death sentences), sword and shields used by Marthandavarma, Raja Kesavadasa and Veluthampi Dalava are displayed here. A variety of vintage vases, rare lamps, household utensils and replicas of famous murals, are all here for a treat.
Visiting Time: 9.00-5.30
Ticket Time: 9:00 - 12:30, 2:00 - 4:30
Holiday: Monday, National Holidays
Ticket Rate:
Adult-40
Children-10
Foreigners (Adults)-320
Foreigners (Children)-110
Mobile Camera-20
Camera-60
Video-2100
Feature Film-25000
Address: Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thuckalay, Padmanabhapuram P.O, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.
Phone: 04651 250255.
To know more:
https://www.padmanabhapurampalace.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Hg8yMI2iw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1cOlxT_ekg
