Information on Poonjar Palace (Kottayam, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Poonjar Palace is one of the ancient structures, standing splendidly in the high ranges of Western Ghats, at Kottayam District of Kerala State, India. According to historians, this palace traces back to more than 850 years. It is the only, existing ancient marvel of history and architecture of the Chera's and the Pandiya's dynasty in the Dravidian region.

Poonjar Palace Architecture

Poonjar Palace is an unparalleled craftsmanship of wooden architecture. Since, most of the construction component used here is the woods. This was due to the vast availability of hill forest region here in the Kottayam district. The other construction materials used here are granite stone block, woods, clay tiles and laterite bricks of large size. The designs of this palace look very holy, since it had a temple like structure all around. It is built on ancient practice of traditional Kerala architecture style. It has remarkable carved steps on all sides with doomed entrance. The entire structure of this palace is raised by woods, when the main walls near to a three feet high. From here to the top of the roof are balanced with teak woods and rose woods with unique carvings on the Hindu temple style. This palace also constitute of a Hindu temple, which is said to be placed according to structural dynamics matching with the palace. This uniqueness of the dynamics can be only visualized by going there and sighting the temple from the palace front area. On the interior, there is stunner carving works of wooden furniture made of rose, teak and sandal woods. A message bed is carved out of single wood. There are floral designs running over the doors and pillars. Statues made of granites and woods depicting Hindu ditties are very fascinating. Their roof toppings are covered by tiles, which are slanting from the top with triangular shaped small domes on the four sides of the palace. There is rock cut lamps carved on the palace walls, which looks beautiful when lit in the night times.

Poonjar Palace History

Poonjar Palace has a significant place in the Dravidian history. Since it got the roots from the marriage tie up with Pandiya's to the Chera kin's in Sangam times. Raja Manavikrama was the sole founder of the Poonjar Dynasty, when he came to his mother's place from Madurai and permanently settled here. It is mentioned by the historians that he secured these Poonjar land area for the existing Thekkancoor Rajas, who were ruling the central Kerala regions. It is said that Raja Manavikrama took hold of the present Iddukki, Kotayam and Pathinamthitta areas, which was a natural treasure. These easily available resources made him rich and fabulous. He was a great ruler and empire builder in that time. He brought on e of the deities of Meenakshi, which he built a temple with that idol as Kula Sherta i.e. family temple. This temple is considered to be powerful in that locality and was built on special vastu, according to Hindu culture. Poonjar is a tribal area surrounded with high ranges of the Western Ghats hill ranges. This place is a dense forest area, which was recently transformed to tea plantation areas.

Poonjar Palace Tourism Importance

Poonjar Palace is a place to see for its ancient art and crafts. The antiquities seen here are no were found in the world. This place is very much holy to look. It has a museum depicting the medieval period collection of sculptors, palanquins, treasure boxes, royal furniture's and war materials used in ancient days. This palace is a historic monument and heritage palace maintained by the Kerala State department of archeology.