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After the Nagaraja Temple we took an auto and went to the bus stop. There were no direct buses; a person suggested that we should go to Thuckalay. So went Thuckalay and from there took an auto to reach the Padmanabhapuram palace. The ancient historical town Padmanabhapuram is one of the four municipalities in the district is 55 Km. south of Trivandrum, about two km. east of Thuckalay and 35 km. from Kanyakumari on the Trivandrum-Cape Comorin road. A fort with an area of 187 acres surrounds this town. The ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace with an area of seven acres is situated in the very center on the Padmanabhapuram Fort, amidst hills, dales and rivers. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby. Iravipillai Iravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Travancore between 1592 A.D. and 1609 A.D constructed the palace around 1601 A.D. In the late 18th century, the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Trivandrum, and the place lost its former glory. However, the palace complex continue to be the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hall mark of traditional Kerala style building art. Entry Fee is Rs 25 for Adult & Rs.10 for children. Still camera and Video camera Fee are Rs 25 & Rs 1500 respectively.

That’s the Poomukham. It was here the king entertained special guests. Built in the indigenous architectural style of Kerala, the entrance of this building is shaped as a triangle. On the wooden ceiling 90 flowers have been carved. Each of them is marvelous and unique. Also do feature here are the rarest of the rare things like hanging brass lamp with a knight on horse back, a cot built of seven pieces of polished granite, a Chinese chair presented to the king by the Chinese merchants and the “Onavillu” presented to the king by the landlords and the chief tans of different clans during the Onam festival. The onavillus are the finest examples of the exquisite beauty of Kerala style of paintings.

Here’s the ancient door:

A cot built of seven pieces of polished granite and a Chinese chair presented to the king by the Chinese merchants.

These are the beautiful Kerala style of paintings called as Onavillu:

Here’s the hanging brass lamp with a knight on horseback.

After that we took a wooden staircase and reached the Manthrasala or Council Chamber. The Manthrasala is a hall of considerable importance. Generally the term “Mantra” refers to the administration of kingdom. It was at this hall the king held discussions with his ministers and took important decisions. The wood carvings on the roof and the beams across it proclaim the expertise of the craftsmanship. Manthrasala has only one projection and eleven number of “Kilivathil”. A kilivathil is a tiny window the shutters of which are beautifully decorated with mirror work in different hues. Chinese model sittings that adorn the Manthrasala are rich with wonderful carvings. The floor of the Manthrasala is the typical of the rare technology that was in vogue.

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