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Situated
54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram,
in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu is the magnificent wooden palace,
the Padmanabhapuram Palace of the 16th century Travancore rulers.
An enticing place for any lover of art and architecture, the antique
interiors of the palace are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and
sculptured décor. The visitor is often overwhelmed by the royal
splendour of erstwhile Travancore.
Travancore, which was a princely state for over 400 years, included a
large part of present-day Kerala and the western part of Tamil Nadu.
Though the palace is now in the State of Tamil Nadu, it was once the
traditional home of the royal family of Travancore, so it is maintained by
the Government of Kerala.
The palace is one of the best examples of the traditional wooden
architecture of Kerala. The Padmanabhapuram Palace is a well-preserved
wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional architecture of
Kerala.
The extraordinary Murals,
exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have
withstood the test of time. Some fascinating 18th century
Murals can be seen
in the puja room on the upper floors of this palace.
Padmanabhapuram is 65 km south-east of Thiruvananthapuram. One can either take local buses and or avail of the Kanyakumari tours organised by KTDC.