Information on Kowdiar Palace (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Kowdiar Palace is situated on State Highway No.2, Then Mala Road on Kowdiar at Trivandrum District of Kerala State, India. It is the largest palace of the princely Travancore clans, who still resides in this magnificent structure. It is an important landmark in Trivandrum and a must to see if you are in Trivandrum. The public entry is restricted and one can see from the outside areas only.

Kowdiar Palace Architecture

Kowdiar Palace is the master piece of Kerala Architectural marvel. It is built on 100 acres of Land area on a small hilltop above 300 meters above the sea level. This location is chosen as it didn't have any obstacles in between and provide a fresh breeze of winds from the Arabian Sea from its west side. It was also placed in such a coordinates that wind always flows inside the palace from its all windows and doors from the South West Monsoon and the retreading North East Monsoon. It is said by the historians that this palace was built on vasthu shasthra, which took nearly a 3 months of discussion by many experts and concluded the majority of the accurate principals which benefited with its structural dynamics to occupy in Kowdial location. This palace is a large rectangular shaped structure which has 150 rooms. It was built in 3 floors. There are 6 small towers placed on the roof tops which looks like a small watch tower. There are long running corridors along with the small pillars adjoining the main walls of the edifice. There are small and large pillars all over the building. Its entrance has two major arched pillars which welcomes in to the palace. The roof of this palace is placed with terracotta tiles. On the interior there are beautiful arts works found. There are well carved furniture's, paintings and sculptures were found. It floors are laid with pure white marbles and few floors are in the color of chess board and few are well designed in the floral forms. It has a very spacious kitchen and a large dining hall to accommodate 500 peoples at a time. There are large store rooms for storing food stocks. Its windows are framed on glasses and there are glass hanged lightening in all rooms. Its furniture, doors and windows frames are made of teak wood. Carving works are seen on the pillars doors and arched entrances of the palace.

Kowdiar Palace History

Kowdiar Palace was built in 1934 by the Travancore Thamburan Sri Chithirai Tirunal for his beloved daughter as a wedding gift. In 1971 this palace was portioned among the Thamburati's named Laxmi Thirunal and Parvathi Thirunal. It is the last and only palace were the Travancore decedents agreed to settle here permanently after the independence of India and when the princely states were dissolved by the government of India. Travancore clans are well known for their cultural and architectural achievements. This palace was the last ever built palace in the modern times of 20th century. The name Trivandrum came from the order of its Thirunal who governed this state. They ruled south Kerala from 1729 and Padhamanabhapuram as its capitol and possessed it until 1949. This old capitol is the present capitol of Kerala State now called as Thiruvananthapuram. All its state governments' offices are majorly occupied in the Travancore built edifices throughout the Trivandrum. This palace is seen in many regional language films. Many Malayalam movies and Medias use to show palace as the backdrop and as landmark to show Trivandrum.

Kowdiar Palace Tourism Importance

Kowdiar Palace is a modern palace of the era, which is located on a small hillock with beautiful scenic landscape surrounding on it. The palace does have a large lovely garden with color lighting fountains. It is a unique palace in India, since no other palace have such splendid features.