Krishnapuram Palace - Alappuzha

Palaces are living legacies of erstwhile kings. They tell us many stories and let us have glimpses of a past when palaces were glorious power centers. Krishnapuram Palace too has its own tales to tell and things to show.

Located in the district of Alappuzha in Kerala, near the town of Kayamkulam, half way between Cochin and Trivandrum. Krishnapuram Palace was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the ruler of the former princely state of Travancore. He built it after Kayamkulam was conquered and made a part of Travancore.It sits atop a small hill, and is surrounded by lawns and ponds and a terraced garden.

Krishnapuram Palace is a traditional pathinarukettu with 22 rooms and four nadumittams, the courtyard at the centre of the traditional houses of Kerala. This two storeyed edifice comprises of the poomukham, kovenithalam, neerazhikettu, nellara, madappally (kitchen), compound wall and the padippura, the traditional gateway. The poomukham, kovenithalam, neerazhikettu, nellara, madappally (kitchen), are located on the ground floor. The manthrasala, guest room, and other bedrooms are on the first floor. The drainage system using stone pipes, the wooden works and elegantly designed ceilings of the palace deserve special mention.

Krishnapuram Palace itself is a site museum as it acclaims an age-old tradition and antiquity. An Archaeological Museum is functioning inside this palace. Antique objects excavated by the Department of Archaeology and the exhibits brought about from the other regions are also housed in this museum. The idols and vessels made of bronze collected from Annamalanatharu temple, Thodupuzha, Idukki district are the auspicious exhibits there.

The other unique element found in Krishnapuram Palace is that it carries one of the largest murals of Kerala which covers an area of 150 sq.ft. and belongs to the 18th century. This famous mural 'Gajendra Moksha' drawn in the 'Thevaramuri' is the rearest of its kind and based on the story of Gajendra Moksha found in the Ashtamaskantha of the Maha Bhagavata.

A double-edged sword known as Kayamkulam Vaal, a Sanskrit Bible, bronze statues, an antique Buddha of the 10th century, stone inscriptions, megalithic specimens, Pancha-loha (a combination of five metals) figurines, magnificent oil lamps, and ceremonial utensils are some of the other exhibits here.

Krishnapuram Palace is open to visitors on every day except on Mondays. Visiting hours: 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs