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.
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.
The Palace :
A guided tour through the maze of 108 rooms leaves one breathless at the artistic expression and sheer opulence of these magnificent rooms. Even the ceilings have intricately carved floral patterns! The palace made of granite and teakwood displays a perfect combination of clean lines and gentle angles, the sloping tiled roofs of its various interconnecting buildings broken by projecting gables enclosing delicately carved screens.
The Mantrashala :
The 'Mantrashala' or council chamber is placed directly above the entrance on the first floor and is gently illuminated through panes of coloured mica. Herbs soaking in water were put into the box-benched seats along the front wall as natural air-conditioning. The flooring got its gleaming patina from a unique but an obsolete technique using burnt coconut, sticky sugarcane extract, egg, white lime and sand which were mixed together.
