Introduction
Padmanabhpuram Palace which is situated in Padmanabhpuram Fort, was built in the 16th century CE, as a royal palace for the Maharajas of Travancore. The palace complex is spread over 6.5 acres of land reflecting the vernacular wooden architecture of the region. It is located in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, the structure embodies the pride and galore of the Travancore family that resided within it and ruled the region. The palace sits peacefully within its grandeur and wooden intricacies, the structure gets its name from the Kingdom deity Lord Sree Padmanabha.
The palace is replete with wood carvings and beautiful architecture that reflects the great craftsmanship of the region, it is based on the historic building system, Taccusastra (the science of carpentry) unique to this region. The palace that was once ruled by the Travancore Royal Family now is maintained by the government of Kerala.
History of Padmanabhpuram Palace:
Padmanabhapuram served as the historical capital of the former Travancore State, spanning from approximately 1555 CE to the latter part of the 18th Century. This region, known as Venad or the southern area of Kerala State, India, stretched from Marthandom in the present-day Tamil Nadu State to the northern territories of Cochin in Kerala, covering a land area of 2600 square kilometers. At the beginning, it was a small palace that only grew in the middle of 18th century. In 1744, Marthanda Varma (1729-1758), the architect of modern Travancore, bestowed the name Padmanabhapuram upon the palace and its environs, signifying it as the residence of Padmanabha. Before this, the location was referred to as Kalkulam Palace.
Structure of Padmanabhpuram Palace:
The land on which the palace is placed was rich in timber and traditionally all the built heritage was only constructed using the best of wood, laterite stone was used in a limited capacity, only wherever necessary. The roofs were thatched and clay tiles were put in the structure to increase its longevity. There are carved wooden pillars and carvings on the roofs of the palace, windows are in wood as well, with ventilated rooms and corridors, immaculately carved wooden beams, panels, and even unique lamps and narrow staircases that join the floors together.
The wooden architecture seen on the palace structure is unlike any other that exists in the region which denotes the Malyali pride, the complex has many structures such as the palaces (Kottarams), houses or structures (Pura), mansions (Malikas and Vilasams), and large halls (Mandapams). The specific components include a reception hall (Poomukam), living quarters (Plamootil Kottaram and Veppinmoodu Kottaram), the oldest palace or mother’s palace which sits at the core of the palace (Thai Kottaram), a kitchen and dining hall (Uttupura), a rituals and prayer hall (Homappura), a multi-storeyed building (Uppirikka Malika) the term Úpar’comes from the Hindustani word meaning ‘Upstairs’, an armoury house (Ayuddhapura), entertainment halls (Chandravilasam and Indra Vilasam), the Indra Vilasam was meant for foreign guests that came to the palace. There is also a dance hall (Navarathri Mandapam), a mansion (Lekshmi Vilasam), a palace (Tekke Kottaram), this structure houses a heritage museum that has household items and many utensils on display, that showcases the life of individuals in a home in Kerala from the time, there is also an entrance porch (Padipura), and various smaller ancillary buildings.
Within the structure, one will find pillar carved from a single jackfruit tree, a horseman lamp, a carved canopy bed for the deity, elaborate Chinese seating, a lamp resembling a horseman, jars with Chinese craftsmanship, mirrors from Belgium, and a bed for Martanda Verma crafted from 64 distinct medicinal kinds of wood that have European motifs and believed to have been a gift from the Dutch and many more such fine artifacts that shall render one in awe. Various kinds of oil lamps such as Nilavilakku, Madambi Vilakku, and Horseman Lamp are kept on the floor or hung on the ceilings to light the palace at night.
Museum in Padmanabhpuram Palace
Padmanabhpuram Palace also houses a museum that was conceptualised in 1993 in the Southwest Corner of the complex that houses many stone inscriptions, copper plate inscriptions, stone sculptures, also wooden sculptures, many everyday items made of precious metal, coins, paintings, etc.
Distinctive Features of Padmanabhpuram Palace:
The Palace is beautifully restored and is one of the country’s oldest traditional wooden structures that represents great craftsmanship as well as knowledge of material science. The palace consists of many special features that make one’s visit to the palace worthwhile. Distinctive elements of the Palace include the expansive Bay Window, known as Ambari Mukhappu (or the Howdah-shaped window), adorned with intricately carved Vyala figures representing a Hindu mythical creature. The windows feature remnants of semi-transparent shell decorations, which were subsequently restored using colored mica. Another notable feature is the Manimalika, or clock tower, whose movement is regulated by weights, adding to the unique characteristics of the Palace.
The palace showcases peak excellence in terms of its craftsmanship and intricacies carved within the wooden architecture, it also has mural paintings on the topmost floor of the structure which are based on Vaishnavite and Shaivite mythologies and narratives. Murals on the eastern wall were damaged as that part of the structure was struck by lightning, records state that an Iranian mural painter by the name of Saris Katchadourian was appointed to conserve the area. There are beautiful renditions of Lord Ananthapadmanabha, Ganesa Pooja, Vettakkorumakan, Krishna as the Chariotteer of Arjuna, VedaVyasa, Sankaranarayana, Mahishamardini Durga, Dakshinamurthi, Siva as Bhairava, Sastha as a hunter. Coronation of Rama, Krishna Leela and many other unique and popular mythologies have been reflected in the western and southern walls too.
The grand complex nestled within the southernmost tip of our country is an architectural gem that boasts of a glorious past and even better artisanship. The palace was recently restored further and went through a makeover, thanks to the efforts made by the Department of Archaeology. The palace whispers the wonderful tales of a bygone era, its artifacts and museum echo the opulence of Travancore’s rich legacy.
References:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5897/
https://www.archaeology.kerala.gov.in/monuments/padmanabhapuram-palace/61
Feature image courtesy: tripadvisor
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