A post that has been in my drafts forever...
Here it is - A photo tour of the famous Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Located in the Padmanabhapuram Fort in the scenic Thuckalai town of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. The palace is supposed to have been constructed around 1601 by by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, the then ruler of Travancore. The palace has undergone many additions and renovations later during different periods as part of adding to the space as well as repairs.
Having been built in an era when modern technology was unheard of, the palace complex as a whole is full of wonderful and awe inspiring innovations and inventions - both aesthetically and technologically. More than all these things, the whole campus seems to have a rich and vibrant presence of all those who have lived there. Each and every room, nook and corner has a story to tell.
I cordially invite all my readers to a memorable tour of this Royal abode.
"Oottupura" or The community Dining Hall. The description says that the generous Travancore Maharajas insisted on feeding almost 2000 people in this dining hall daily.
Here it is - A photo tour of the famous Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Located in the Padmanabhapuram Fort in the scenic Thuckalai town of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. The palace is supposed to have been constructed around 1601 by by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, the then ruler of Travancore. The palace has undergone many additions and renovations later during different periods as part of adding to the space as well as repairs.
Having been built in an era when modern technology was unheard of, the palace complex as a whole is full of wonderful and awe inspiring innovations and inventions - both aesthetically and technologically. More than all these things, the whole campus seems to have a rich and vibrant presence of all those who have lived there. Each and every room, nook and corner has a story to tell.
I cordially invite all my readers to a memorable tour of this Royal abode.
Entrance to the main palace building.
Loved the picturesque background. Truly a dream view isn't it?
Royal entrance
The clock tower at the entrance
Ornate floral ceiling work in the entrance verandah. The speciality of the ceiling is that each and every flower carving is a unique design and none of them is same as the other.
A flight of stairs lead us to this place called Mantrasala. Description of the mantrasala is given in the picture above. This used to be the area where important decisions regarding the kingdom and administration were discussed and decided.
The seating arrangement inside the Mantrasala. Just behind the wooden chair on the left, you can see a small opening. This is a kind of storage space that runs all around the room. The whole thing is made of wood and has many slits and openings in between. When the palace was occupied, clay urns filled with herbal water and placed inside the storage place. This had small openings on the outside as well. So, when the wind blew in through the openings, it cooled the urns. Thereby spreading a coolness along with the aroma of the herbs inside the hall. Brilliant air purifier!!
The exit from Mantrasala towards other side of the palace.
View from the Mantrasala entrance.
As we exit the Oottupura(Dining hall), we enter the more private realms of the palace. These areas were occupied by female members and others of the royal family along with their personal staff etc.
(To Be Continued)
this is beautiful...! such elaborate snaps..
ReplyDeleteThank you Amrita..Glad you liked the clicks
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