Padmanabhapuram Palace Kanyakumari

Padmanabhapuram Palace Kanyakumari

Padmanabhapuram Palace is one of the best 10 palaces in the world. It is located close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu and it is administered by the Government of Kerala archaeology department. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil, and about 50 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Padmanabhapuram palace was the ancient capital of the Travancore kings. The palace is known for its planning and military architecture and remained the center of power till 1790, later the capital was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. The Padmanabhapuram palace complex is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palatial mansion is a wooden paradise. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats.

The palace draws hundreds of visitors every day continuously. This palace is famous for its 17th and 18th century murals, carved mahogany ceiling, colored mica windows, secret underground passages leading to a palace 2 km away in case of an invasion, a dining hall that can accommodate 1000 patrons, inner courtyards, durbar hall, museum, four poster medicinal bed, Belgian mirror, granite dance halls and special black shiny floors which are made from a unique combination of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand.

Photography is charged here. You would need to do a guided tour of the palace complex as it is massive with a maze of 108 rooms, each having its distinct style, mood and artistic expression. Visitors to the palace are not allowed to enter wearing shoes or slippers in order to maintain the polish of the floor.
Best Season:
November to May
Timings : 9 Am to 4.30 Pm all days except Mondays and National holidays