Monuments in Kerala

Monument Location : Cheruthuruthy,32 km north of Thrissur.

One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala, the Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali training in India. This temple of arts has preserved and propagated Kathakali - the classical dance-drama of Kerala - for the past 78 years. Many of the internationally renowned artistes of Kerala and India have been trained here.

The Kalamandalam and its surroundings reflect the simple, pure and ethnic atmosphere in which these arts have survived for centuries. The Koothambalam - the traditional dance theatre - at Kalamandalam is the only one in the State which is built outside a temple complex. Constructed according to vikrushtra madhya, one of the three natya grihas (theatres) specified in sage Bharatha's Natyasasthra - a treatise on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C, the theatre is 14.62 m long and 7.31m wide and has four wooden pillars supporting it. It has three main parts - the aniyara (green room), the rangam (stage) - the space on front and side of it meant for the audience, and the mridanga-patha (where the drum is kept).

The Kerala Kalamandalam was established by Vallathol Narayana Menon, the renowned Malayalam poet. Over the years this unique institution has imparted training for Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Kootiyattam, Panchavadyam, Thullal etc - following the ancient gurukula system of education.

Getting there :
Nearest railway station : Shornur, about 10 km.
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 90 km.

Monument Location : The Synagogue at Fort Kochi, about 10 km from Ernakulam town, central Kerala.

Opening hours : 10:00 - 17:00 hours; closed on Fridays.

Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi temple in the central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala style mansion - the Nalukettu - the home of the aristocracy, nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard.

The double storeyed palace building which stands by the panoramic Kochi back waters has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sqft of its walls. The themes of these murals have been borrowed from the great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, and mythology and legends about the Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. Some murals depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.Also on display are royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.

Getting there :

Nearest railway station : Ernakulam, about 10 km from the Synagogue.
Nearest airports : Cochin International Airport, about 30 km from the Synagogue.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.This temple is adorned by innumerable intricate stone carvings both in the interiors as well as the exteriors and also it is known for its mural paintings .

Napier Museum building is a confluence of Indian, Chinese, Mughal and Briton influences. The campus also houses the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, a art and natural history museum, and the Zoological as well as the botanical gardens.

Kuthiramalika Palace this rambling old bungalow is adjacent to the Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple in East Fort. Kuthiramalika has on display ornaments,personal effects and weapons of the kings of Travancore. Pillars carved on single stone and exquisitely designed roofs enhances the beauty of the palace. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style has exquisite wood carvings and displays priceless paintings .The name of this palace is derived from the intricate carving work of 122 horses(“Kuthira” means ‘Horse’) in a row, and it reflect the profile talent of the sculptors and painters of the olden times.

Padmanabhapuram Palace is the seat of erstwhile rulers of Travanacore, this splendidpalace is situated at Thuckalai, on the way to Kanyakumari. This is a well preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional Kerala school for architecture. The intricate carvings murals and exquisite wall paintings reflect the out standing talent of the sculptors and painters who enjoyed the patronage of Travancore Kings.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery located near the Napier museum, the gallery named after the late Maharaja of erstwhile Travancore,houses an exotic collections of paintings and great works of art in the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore style. Few eastern school of paintings from China, Japan,Tibet and Bali as well as the replicas of a cave drawings from Ajantha and Bagh caves can also be seen.

Koyikkal Palace is on the way to Ponmudi hillstation and the Kuttalam waterfalls,this ancient palace dates back to the 15th century, is famous in the history of Kerala as the official residence of Perakom Thavazhi (the matineral lineage, especially of Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. Here you can see a doubled storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs,an inner courtyard and two museums.

Krishnapuram Palace is known for its collection of antique sculptures, paintings and bronze. The 18th century Kerala’s largest mural”Gajendramoksham” is the main attraction of this palace.

Bolgatty Palace perched atop in an island of Cochin in the Arabian sea, and once home forDutch and British Governor’s this magnificent structure is an exclusive tourist haunt. A canopied garden is another tourist attraction on the island.

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