Kowdiar Palace, Thiruvananthapuram: A Marvel of Kerala Architecture

Aliza Rizwan

Kowdiar Palace, Thiruvananthapuram: A Marvel of Kerala Architecture

Kowdiar Palace, situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, was built in 1934 by Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal to celebrate the wedding of his sister, Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bai, to Lt. Col. G.V. Raja. As a private property of the Travancore dynasty, the palace holds a rich history. Apart from its architectural beauty, the palace also serves as a healthcare centre and dispensary, benefiting the local community. Admired for its exquisite Kerala-style architecture, Kowdiar Palace stands as a testament to the region's cultural heritage and grandeur.

Kowdiar Palace, Thiruvananthapuram I Source: Wikipedia

The palace boasts hybrid architecture, a fusion of Kerala and Dravidian styles. As private property, access to this structure is restricted. Set amidst a beautiful green garden, the vast spaces even house the final resting place of the last Raja, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. This part of the city is known for its cleanliness and high cost of living. It hosts the residences of elite members of society, upscale eateries, posh shopping centres, and lush greenery.

The large rectangular palace features 150 rooms across three floors, with six small towers resembling watchtowers on the roof. Long-running corridors with small pillars adorn the main walls, while large and small pillars decorate the entire building. The entrance boasts two major arched pillars. Terracotta tiles form the roof, and beautiful artwork can be found throughout the interior.

The captivating Kowdiar Palace stands as a perfect example of Kerala-style architecture, adorned with highly elegant and attractive palaces and buildings, which Kerala is renowned for. Located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), a district of Kerala State, India, this palace beautifully represents the past splendour of the erstwhile Travancore dynasty.

Built in 1934 by Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal for the wedding of his only sister, Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bai, to Lt. Col. G.V. Raja, the Kowdiar Palace holds a rich history. Following the kingdom's accession to the Indian Union, the palace became the personal property of the dynasty. After the Indian Constitutional Amendment of 1971, the properties and estates of the royal family were equally distributed to two lineages: Queen Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and Queen Sethu Parvathi Bayi. Presently, the property belongs to the latter, as it was built by her son, former Maharajah Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. The palace is considered one of the finest in Kerala.

The architectural marvel of Kowdiar Palace sits on 100 acres of land atop a small hill, about 300 meters above sea level. This location was chosen strategically to allow uninterrupted winds from the Arabian Sea on its west side. The palace's design ensures a constant flow of wind from all its windows and doors, benefiting from the southwest and retreating northeast monsoons. Historians believe that the palace was built following Vastu Shastra, involving three months of discussions with various experts to incorporate accurate principles that enhanced its structural dynamics for the Kowdiar location.

The Kowdiar Palace also houses an in-house museum and a dispensary. Stepping into the palace premises is like stepping back into history, as those who know about the royal family will attest. The palace runs a dispensary that provides free treatment facilities to the common people, who still visit this primary healthcare facility. Some portions of the palace are open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day of the week, and the museum is part of the section accessible to the public.

In conclusion, Kowdiar Palace is a testament to beauty and history, making it a must-visit place in Kerala. Its mesmerising architecture and efforts to support the people are worthy of all praise.