A palace that changed the way I looked at history 🏰✨

Everyone dreams of living in a palace at least once in their life. We imagine walking through beautiful gardens, breathing fresh air, sleeping on silk-covered beds, and living a peaceful royal life. When we think of kings, we often think of wars, soldiers guarding massive walls, and a constant atmosphere of power and conflict.

But the palace I visited felt completely different.

After a really long drive from Nagercoil, I finally arrived at Padmanabhapuram Palace, also known as Kalkulam Palace. Located in Kanyakumari district, this Travancore-era palace was originally built around 1601 by Maharaja Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal and was later rebuilt by King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma around 1750. The king dedicated the kingdom to his family deity, Lord Padmanabha, which is how the palace got its name.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt a strange sense of peace. It wasn't crowded or chaotic. Instead, the entire place felt calm and comforting. I had visited this palace once as a child, but back then I knew nothing about history, architecture, or heritage. All I remember is wanting to leave quickly because the palace seemed boring to me.

This visit was completely different.

As I walked through the palace grounds, I found myself looking at everything with curiosity. The intricate wooden carvings, beautifully crafted pillars, polished wooden floors, sloping roofs, staircases, and watch towers caught my attention at every turn. I couldn't believe that I had once overlooked all this beauty.

Since it was a weekday, there were fewer visitors than usual, which made the experience even better. I spent most of my time taking photographs whenever photography was permitted, trying to capture every beautiful corner of the palace.

After entering through the main entrance, I learned that the palace complex stretches across several acres. My first impression was simply awe. The architecture immediately stood out to me, and as I explored further, I began appreciating how intelligently the palace had been designed.

One of the first places I visited was the king's council chamber. What fascinated me most was the natural lighting. Sunlight entered the room so perfectly that it reminded me of modern photography techniques. It made me realize how much traditional architecture relied on nature rather than artificial lighting.

As I continued walking through the palace, I couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful Indian architecture once was. Today, many traditional designs are disappearing as modern minimalist buildings become more common. Looking around, I was reminded of my dream of one day building a traditional nalukettu-style house. Seeing these centuries-old structures made me appreciate that dream even more and inspired me to think about how such designs could be adapted for modern living.

The next rooms I explored were the king's bedchamber and his mother's chamber. One of the most fascinating objects there was the famous Sapramancha Kattil, a wooden bed believed to have been made from sixty-four different medicinal woods. Standing in that room, it was easy to imagine the royal family once living their daily lives within these walls. And was gifted to the king by the Dutch.

I also visited the dressing room, where a large polished mirror is displayed. Although it does not shine as brightly as modern mirrors, looking into it felt like looking through a window into the past. For a moment, it felt as though I had travelled back in time.

Later, I climbed up to the watch tower. From there, I could see various sections of the palace complex and gain a better understanding of its layout. Although some areas were closed to visitors, the view itself was worth the climb.

One of the most remarkable structures I encountered was the Uppirikka Malika, the famous four-storeyed mansion built by King Marthanda Varma. The ground floor once served as the royal treasury, while the upper levels housed the king's private chambers, fasting rooms, and sacred spaces dedicated to worship. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals, and the entire structure stands as a masterpiece of traditional Kerala architecture.

Before leaving, I visited Thekkae Kottaram, which now functions as a heritage museum. The museum contains antique household objects, traditional furniture, weapons, Chinese jars gifted by traders, brass lamps, sculptures, and many other fascinating artifacts. These exhibits provided a glimpse into the daily lives of people who lived during the Travancore period.

Nearby was the large pond that was once used by members of the royal family. Unfortunately, it is not maintained as well today, but it still adds to the historical charm of the palace complex.

By the end of my visit, I found myself genuinely reluctant to leave. The palace had completely changed my perception of history. What I expected to be another historical monument turned out to be a place that made me appreciate art, architecture, culture, and the incredible skill of the people who built such structures centuries ago.

Padmanabhapuram Palace is not just a monument from the past. It is a reminder of how beautifully people once lived in harmony with nature, craftsmanship, and tradition.

As much as I wanted to spend a few more hours exploring every corner, another destination was waiting for me. So I reluctantly left the palace behind and continued my journey to a place I had been wanting to visit for a long time a story that I will share in my next blog.

#rayaroams #therayaroute