Padmanabhapuram PalaceTimings, History of Thai Kottaram,Temple and Museum

Padmanabhapuram Palace is located in Thuckalay near Nagercoil which is about 60 kilometres away from Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum city. History says that a Thai Kottaram is built in AD 1550 by the king, who ruled the Travancore under Venad Kingdom. This Thai Kottaram is then developed into a palace by the ruler Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal (AD 1592-AD 1609) in AD 1601. But it was the Marthanda Varma, who reconstructed the palace to the present day palace in 1750. Also this palace is considered as the capital of Travancore Kingdom during the period of (AD 1729-AD 1795), before Thiruvananthapuram, which becomes the capital in 1795. Now the palace is situated in Tamil Nadu, but it was administrated by the Archeology Department of Kerala Government, since the land and palace belongs to the Kerala Government. This palace is a perfect example for the traditional architecture style of kerala. Vistors are allowed to visit the palace. Padmanabhapuram Palace Timings are given below. Padmanabhapuram PalaceTimings: 9.00 AM to 3.00 PM all days,except Mondays and National Holidays.

The different Sections of Padmanabhapuram Palace are,
1. Poomukham: The entrance of Padmanabhapuram palace is called as Poomukham. Poomukhan leads to the ancient door of palace. A brass lamp with a knight on horse back is hanged in the Poomukham. Also you can see the a Chinese Chair, which was presented by the Chinese merchants and a Onavillu, which was presented by the landlords during a Onam Festival.


2. Mantrasala: Mantrasala or King’s Council chamber is the most beautiful part of padmanabhapuram palace. The floor of mantrasala is also beautiful and is cool and dark. The floor is said to be made in burnt coconut shells, egg white and a mixture of various substances. The sittings of Mantrasala are decorated with Chinese model sittings. After Mantrasala there is a passage,which leads to the Oottupura or Dining Hall.

3. Oottupura: Oottupura or Dinning hall is built for the purpose of serving free meals to the people.  Oottupura has a capacity to accommodate at about 1000 people at a time. You can see several huge Chinese jars in the floors, which are used to store the pickles.
4. Thai Kottaram: Thai Kottaram is the oldest part of Padmanabhapuram Palace and is said to be built in the year AD 1550, it is then rebuilt during the rule of Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal. It was built in the manner of traditional Nalukettu Style.  An Ekantamandapam otherwise known as open verandah in Thai Kottaram consists of a Kannithoonu (ceiling supporting pillar) with floral designs is built from the wood of jack fruit tree with aritistic brilliance. This artistic brilliance reflects the kerala traditional style. Some of the ritualistic followings such as Kalamezhuthu, inorder to satisfy the goddess were done here. There is also a tunnel (secret passage)connecting Thaikottaram with Charottukkottaram. This tunnel is used specially during the times of battle or attack to the royal family.

5. King’s Cot, Queen’s Dressing Room and the Palace Toilet: The king’s ornamental cot is on the first floor of Uppirikka Maliga, which is said to be made from sixty four types of herbal timbers, presented by the dutch merchants. The king’s cot leads to the Queen’s Dressing room. A polished stone cot placed in the queen’s dressing room, which is used for cooling effect. There is also two palace toilet for both king and the queen near this room.

6. Armoury and Watch Tower: Armoury building is made such that it the length of the room is more than the breadth, with no windows and ventilation facilities. Also there are only two entrances to the armoury building, one at the northern end towards Watch tower and other from the Uppirikka Maliga. The movements of the surroundings places can be detected through this watch tower. History says that thousands of weapons were stored in the Armoury building. These weapons were said to be confiscated by the British army due to the order of Colonel Macaulay and the remaining weapons were today exhibited in the Heritage Museum.

7. Ambari Mukhappu: Ambari Mukhappu was constructed for the rulers to view chariot races (temple cart race) during the festival seasons and also to appear infront of common people on special occasions.  Ambari means the seat which put on elephants back for the purpose of safaris. Ambari Mukhappu is called so, sonce it is constructed in the manner of Ambari. The Ambari Mukhappu is a perfect example of artistic craftsmanship of Kerala wood carving.

8. Indra Vilasom: Indra Vilasom building was mainly built for accommoding the foreign tourists and dignitaries coming to visit the travancore. Unlike other buildings, Indra Vilasom is not built in typical Travancore style. However we can see the inspiration of kerala architecture is found in the structure and shape of the building.

9. Medicinal Floor and the Palace Pond: You can see a flight of steps, which leads to the Medicinal floors and bathing pond of the palace.



10. Navarathri Mandapam: It was Marthanda Varma Maharaja in AD 1744, who built the Navarathri Mandapam. The main speciality of this Navarathri Mandapam is, whole the Mandapam were built of solid rock, which is only place in the palace made of stones. The length of the building extends to 66 feet and has a width of 27 feet. This building is rich in sculpture designs, which speaks us the cultural and artistic tradition. This Navarathri Mandapam is mainly used for the performing several cultural and art programmes during the Navarathri festival. The floors are finely polished which gives a mirror look. Other speciality is the Kilivathil (small wooden windows), made for the king and the members of royal family to see the programmes, without being seen by the common people.

11. Thekee Kottaram (Now it is Heritage Museum): Thekee Kottaram is believed to be have an age of around 400 years old. Today the Thekee Kottaram (Southern Palace) is transformed to historical heritage Museum, exhibiting various collections of old weapons, paintings, sculptures and antique households.


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