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Padmanabhapuram Palace,
Kerala
Padmanabhapuram
Palace, can be easily visited from Thiruvananthapuram or Kanyakumari.
It was once the seat of the rulers of Travancore, a princely
state for over 400 years, which included a large part of present-day
Kerala and the western littoral of Tamil Nadu.
How
to reach there: Padmanabhapuram
is 65 km south-east of Thiruvananthapuram. To get there, you
can either catch a local bus from Thirvananthapuram (or Kovalam
Beach) or take one of the Kanyakumari tours organised by KTDC.
Accomodations:
- Kovalam
Ashok Beach Resort.
-
Hotel Samudra Tara.
-
Hotel Rockholm.
-
Varmas Beach Resort.
-
Raja Hotel.
-
Hotel Sea Rock.
What
to see:
- The
palace is superbly constructed of local teak and granite,
and stands within the massive stone walls which kept Tipu
Sultan at bay in the 18th century.
- The
architecture is exquisite, with ceilings carved in floral
patterns, windows laid with jewel-coloured mica, and floors
finished to a high polish with a special compound of crushed
shells, coconuts, egg-white and juices of local plants.
-
The 18th century murals in the puja room on the
upper floors have been beautifully preserved, and surpass
even those at Mattancherry in Kochi.
- With
its banqueting halls, audience chamber, women’s quarters,
recruiting courtyard and galleries, the palace is a must
for anyone visiting this part of the country.
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