Situated in Kayamkulam, 47 km away from Alappuzha, is the Krishnapuram Palace, a palace and museum. Built under the reign of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, a Travancore king, this magnificent palace is renowned for its architecture and mural paintings. Situated near the Krishnaswamy Temple in Krishnapuram, the palace boasts a gabled roof, narrow corridors, and dormer windows, all in keeping with the traditional architectural style of Kerala.
One of the largest mural paintings in all of Kerala can be found here, which is one of its main draws. This mural painting, dubbed the “Gajendra Moksha,” is approximately 53 square feet in size and has significant historical significance. Here you can also find the double-edged sword Kayamkulam Vaal. The Archaeological Department of Kerala is currently in charge of maintaining the Krishnapuram Palace, which is home to a number of exhibits that originally belonged to the Palace and its previous occupant.
Buddha Hall at the Palace of Krishnapuram
The Buddha Mandapam, or Buddha Hall, has a lovely statue of one of the four ancient Buddhas from the tenth century on display. The statue is surrounded by a large number of flowering plants and is situated in the middle of a beautifully tended garden. This statue is a visual treat and is thought to date to the fifth or possibly the seventh century, according to scholars.
Museum of Archaeology at Krishnapuram Palace
A treasure trove of numerous ancient paintings and inscriptions can be found within the Krishnapuram Palace complex, which is currently used as an archaeological museum. This museum preserves and protects a variety of historically and archaeologically significant items, including sculptures made of stone and wood, replicas of mural paintings, coins, megalithic remains, stone inscriptions, and other similar items. The mural of Gajendra Moksham, the statue of the Buddha from the tenth century, and Kayamkulam Vaal are some of the compound’s most notable exhibits.
Krishnapuram Palace’s History:
Following his victory in the Odanad–Travancore War of 1746, King Marthanda Varma of Travancore constructed the Krishnapuram Palace. At first, King Marthanda Varma only constructed a modest, one-story palace. Prime Minister Ramayyan Dalawa oversaw the construction of this magnificent palace, known as Ettukettu in the local dialect. It was constructed in the traditional manner and included a nearby pond, temple, and urappura. Ayyappan Marthanada Pillai, the prime minister, later expanded this one-story building.
Within the compound, however, is the current building, a magnificent three-story building. The Archaeological Department of Kerala renovated this building in the 1950s, giving it a contemporary appearance while adhering to the precise scientific methods that have been recommended for the preservation of historic structures. The Archaeological Museum and its various offices are housed in the Krishnapuram Palace, which is a protected monument.
The Palace’s Architectural Design
Encompassing approximately 1.5 acres, the Krishnapuram Palace is an unparalleled feat of architectural engineering. The elegant palace adheres to the Vastushastra principle of 16 kettu, or enclosures, and is the epitome of Keralan architecture. Owing to these enclosures, the palace also has four quadrangular buildings that open up to four inner patios, or Nadumuttam.
When this magnificent palace was renovated in the eighteenth century, it was given new vitality. Narrow hallways, low ceilings, dormer windows, gabled roofs, winding staircases, patios, and projecting balcony windows are features of the restored palace. This exquisite palace was built using Angili wood, teak, laterite stones, rubble, and rosewood. The Mangalore tiles on the roofs further accentuate the structure’s beauty, and the straight, curved, and spiral staircases add to the palace’s overall visual appeal.
The carpentry skills used in this impressive palace are one of its unique features. The palace has wooden door and window locks and hinges in place of metal hardware. The Krishnapuram Palace is not merely one structure; rather, it is a complex of buildings that combine Western and traditional architectural styles. There is also a sizable pond in the complex, which is thought to have a hidden underground escape route.
Perched atop a diminutive hill, the palace is encircled by a terraced garden featuring lawns, ponds, and fountains. A newly constructed Buddha Mandapam, which holds a recently discovered statue of Lord Buddha, and the exquisitely designed garden within the palace compound are two more attractions. The Krishnapuram Palace, a unique example of Keralan architecture that has endured to this day, underwent a new renovation that adhered to the scientific methods recommended for the preservation of historic structures.
How to Get to Palace of Krishnapuram
Located on the NH-47 highway approximately 45 km from Alleppey, this palace turned museum is conveniently reachable by car. From Kollam, it takes roughly one hour by car (35 km). To know more about historical places and temples visit the official website of Liturgical Temples. The information’s provided in this website is well researched and get from the trusted sources
