Kerala is a historic land, and has been the major centres from traders, Portuguese, Dutch, British and erstwhile dynasties of South India. Although those rulers are no more, but they have left behind a rich legacy for the generations to come. Even toda
y you can have a fine glimpse of the bygone era by visiting the important palaces of Kerala. Built on the lines of typical Keralan style mansion - the Nalukettu, the palaces of Kerala draw the art and architecture lovers from far and wide. In fact, you can feel the royal spelndour by paying a visit to the exquisite palaces of Kerala. Some of the famous palaces of Kerala include:
Mattancherry Palace - One of the famous palaces of Kerala, the palace lies at Mattancherry, just 10 km from Ernakulam. Construed by the Portuguese in 1557 the Palace was gifted to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi. Later the Dutch occupied the palace and renovated it in 1663. A double storeyed building, Mattancherry Palace stands by the serene Kochi backwaters.
Built like the typical Kerala style mansion - the Nalukettu – the palace has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sqft of its walls. The murals depict themes from the Hindu epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Matthancherry Palace also houses royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.
Poonjar Palace - A magnificent palace, Poonjar Palace is situated in Kottayam district in central Kerala. Poonjar Palace describes the story of glorious past and has a fine collection of antiques, rock cut lamps, sculptures etc. Here you can also see exquisite furniture including a palanquin, a thoni carved out of a single piece of wood for ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Shiva), grain measures, statues and weapons.
Padmanabhapuram Palace - Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 64 km away from Thiruvananthapuram, at Thuckalay in the neighbouring State of Tami
l Nadu. Although the palace is situated in Tamil Nadu, but it comes under the purview of the Government of Kerala. Built in the 16th century, the wooden palace is a major attraction for any lover of art and architecture. The old palace of the Maharajas of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom (1550 to 1750 AD) is an excellent specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. Highlights of the palace include intricate rosewood carvings, sculptured décor and 17th and 18th century murals.
Chendamangalam - Situated about 42 km Ernakulam town, Chendamangalam is mainly known for a church, a temple, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue. Set in close proximity, these religious structures present a perfect example of the ancient Indian tradition of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Apart from these religious structures, Chendamangalam is famous for the Paliam Palace. Once the residence of the Paliath Achans, the prime ministers of the Maharajas of Kochi, the palace provide a fine glimpse the architectural splendour of Kerala. Paliam Palace has a good collection of historic documents and relics. Also interesting site at Chendamangalam is the remains of the Vypeenkotta Seminary built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.
Koyikkal Palace - Koyikkal Palace lies at Nedumangad, about 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The palace was originally built for Umayamm
a Rani of the Venad royal family who ruled the land between 1677 and 1684. A double stroreyed traditional Keralan mansion, the palace now houses Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum set up by the Department of Archaeology.
The Folklore Museum has a rich collection of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc. While the Numismatics Museum exhibits the coins belonging to different parts of the world as well as to different eras. Among the exhibits are some of the oldest coins of Kerala - Ottaputhen, Erattaputhen, Kaliyugarayan Panam etc. Coins namely Amaida, Karsha, Rasi and Sreekrishna Rasi are some of the famous coins on display inside the Numismatics Museum.
Pierce Leslie Bungalow (Mansion) – Once the office of Pierce Leslie & Co., coffee merchants, Pierce Leslie Bungalow is known for its charming beauty. Founded in the year 1862, this mansion reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences. A fine specimen of the Fort Kochi colonial bungalow, this bungalow has characteristic features such as wooden panels that form the roof of the ground floor. Arched doorways, carved doors, well decorated rooms and waterfront verandahs are other attractions of Pierce Leslie Bungalow
y you can have a fine glimpse of the bygone era by visiting the important palaces of Kerala. Built on the lines of typical Keralan style mansion - the Nalukettu, the palaces of Kerala draw the art and architecture lovers from far and wide. In fact, you can feel the royal spelndour by paying a visit to the exquisite palaces of Kerala. Some of the famous palaces of Kerala include:Mattancherry Palace - One of the famous palaces of Kerala, the palace lies at Mattancherry, just 10 km from Ernakulam. Construed by the Portuguese in 1557 the Palace was gifted to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi. Later the Dutch occupied the palace and renovated it in 1663. A double storeyed building, Mattancherry Palace stands by the serene Kochi backwaters.
Built like the typical Kerala style mansion - the Nalukettu – the palace has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sqft of its walls. The murals depict themes from the Hindu epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Matthancherry Palace also houses royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.
Poonjar Palace - A magnificent palace, Poonjar Palace is situated in Kottayam district in central Kerala. Poonjar Palace describes the story of glorious past and has a fine collection of antiques, rock cut lamps, sculptures etc. Here you can also see exquisite furniture including a palanquin, a thoni carved out of a single piece of wood for ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Shiva), grain measures, statues and weapons.
Padmanabhapuram Palace - Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 64 km away from Thiruvananthapuram, at Thuckalay in the neighbouring State of Tami
l Nadu. Although the palace is situated in Tamil Nadu, but it comes under the purview of the Government of Kerala. Built in the 16th century, the wooden palace is a major attraction for any lover of art and architecture. The old palace of the Maharajas of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom (1550 to 1750 AD) is an excellent specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. Highlights of the palace include intricate rosewood carvings, sculptured décor and 17th and 18th century murals.Chendamangalam - Situated about 42 km Ernakulam town, Chendamangalam is mainly known for a church, a temple, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue. Set in close proximity, these religious structures present a perfect example of the ancient Indian tradition of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Apart from these religious structures, Chendamangalam is famous for the Paliam Palace. Once the residence of the Paliath Achans, the prime ministers of the Maharajas of Kochi, the palace provide a fine glimpse the architectural splendour of Kerala. Paliam Palace has a good collection of historic documents and relics. Also interesting site at Chendamangalam is the remains of the Vypeenkotta Seminary built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.
Koyikkal Palace - Koyikkal Palace lies at Nedumangad, about 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The palace was originally built for Umayamm
a Rani of the Venad royal family who ruled the land between 1677 and 1684. A double stroreyed traditional Keralan mansion, the palace now houses Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum set up by the Department of Archaeology.The Folklore Museum has a rich collection of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc. While the Numismatics Museum exhibits the coins belonging to different parts of the world as well as to different eras. Among the exhibits are some of the oldest coins of Kerala - Ottaputhen, Erattaputhen, Kaliyugarayan Panam etc. Coins namely Amaida, Karsha, Rasi and Sreekrishna Rasi are some of the famous coins on display inside the Numismatics Museum.
Pierce Leslie Bungalow (Mansion) – Once the office of Pierce Leslie & Co., coffee merchants, Pierce Leslie Bungalow is known for its charming beauty. Founded in the year 1862, this mansion reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences. A fine specimen of the Fort Kochi colonial bungalow, this bungalow has characteristic features such as wooden panels that form the roof of the ground floor. Arched doorways, carved doors, well decorated rooms and waterfront verandahs are other attractions of Pierce Leslie Bungalow
No comments:
Post a Comment