Kerala heritage buildings.

[sanjupalayat]

Madhur Temple, Up North, Kazaragod.









CC-myself

[p2p4]

You Keralites have a thing for preserving your architectural culture !!!
How envious I am I wish the same could be said of Maharashtra but.... (alas)


Cheers
p2p4

[sanjupalayat]

Originally Posted by p2p4

You Keralites have a thing for preserving your architectural culture !!!
How envious I am I wish the same could be said of Maharashtra but.... (alas)


Cheers
p2p4

Dear friend just see the sad condition of this temple in that particular thread, i have posted images there!

[mohammedirshad06]

A unique Church with lot of fusion elements of Kerala culture, Roman Christian architecture.

[sanjupalayat]

Kalpathooridam



Kalpathooridam is situated near Meppayyur, 10 kilometres away from Koyilandy in Kozhikode Distrct. Kalpathooridam is notabe with its old style of paintings and encarvings. it involve many moments in Hindu epics. Palazhimadhanam is one of the attractive paintings, here.

You can read more about Kalpathooridam from the malayalam traveloge 'Morgante Vazhikaliloode: Oru Noottandinusesham" (On The Way Of Morgan: After A century") published by Ayanam, Kozhikode

[mohammedirshad06]

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CC:- Chitramaalika

Kappalpalli (Ship Basilica)- the primary seat of Latin Church of Verapoly. It was seat of Episcopal see of Vatican to India, untill death of former Archbishop Mar Vithayathil 3 months ago.

The ship is a testimony of Kochi's centuries old maritime relations.

[mohammedirshad06]

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CC: acaputo85

Kerala Folklore and Art Museum-Kochi

[mohammedirshad06]

Sree Krishnapuram Palace-Kayamkulam



Sree Krishnapuram Palace- was once the palace of Veera Ravi Varma, the heroic Raja of Kayamkulam, who was later defeated by H.H Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma Maharaja of Travancore, who annexed Kayamkulam to Travancore and converted this palace as mini-Padmanabhapuram Palace- the seat of Travancore Rajas.

The Palace was extensively renovated by Marthanda Varma into typical Kerala architecture.





The Pond-side of Krishnapuram Palace. The pond has several heroic tales of Marthanada Varma to tell.... It was thro' a secret tunnel under the pond, the King escaped from his enemies, while many parts of the pond is actually a well, disguised as a pond to trap enemies.



The King's Court inside the Palace, with Supramanchil Kattil in center where the King sits and here the counsellors



The famous Gajendra-Mokasham is the largest Mural Painting in India, currently saved on walls of Krishnapuram Palace. The Painting was made in 17th century and still well-preserved in original colours and shades.



The heroic Kayakulam Sword that once about to cut Marthanda Varma's head by hands of Ravi Varma, which legends say was saved by Lord Garuda who appeared and attacked Ravi Varma from behind.

The sword was known for its extreme sharpness and double-edged sword and where held by Travancore Kings as part of their royal robes till 19th century.



The Palace has an inner hall, almost similar to Padmanabhapuram Palace.

[georgescifo]

Originally Posted by sanjupalayat

Nalukettu from famous Alumootil tharavad of central Travacore region.


MEDA


ALUMOOTTIL THARAVAD

This is an amazing piece of architecture..Is this house been filmed in any of the Malayalam movies. It seems that I have seen this some where on the big screen...

[sanjupalayat]

Its a famous Ezhava Tharavad near Alappuzha.

http://www.alummoottil.com/

Alummoottil Tharavad is an aristocratic Ezhava family hailing from the central Travancore region in Kerala. During the 17th and 18th century the Tharavad was responsible for supplying infantry and light cavalry for the army of the Maharaja of Kayamkulam and Travancore. Although, involved heavily in the military machinery of the kingdom, the business empire, wealth and assets of the Tharavad would rather have qualified it in the Vaishya sect, if it existed within Kerala’s Chathurvarna ladder.

The annexation of the Kayamkulam princely state by the kingdom of Travancore and the subsequent absorption of this kingdom into the Indian union, focused the family towards commercial enterprise during the 19th and early 20th century. The Thekkedath family temple is built on the ruins of one among the chain of Kalaris run by the Tharavad.

The commercial empire once controlled by the Tharavad in the kingdom was the envy of all men alike and it was second to none. In Thakazhi's Novel 'Kayar', there are references of an Alummoottil Channar often mistaken for the Travancore Diwan, due to his luxurious car, lifestyle and escorts!

The Alummoottil family was one of the most prominent institutions in the administrative, commercial and martial machinery of the erstwhile princely state of Kayamkulam. The Kaaranavars and Channars of the family were highly respected individuals in the court of the king, commanding respect from various quarters due to their influence and prominence in policy making. It is very interesting that many self acclaimed ‘upper caste’ Nairs, served as attendants, administrators, assistants and accountants for the family and its members!

In the 3rd battle fought in 1746, the Kayamkulam king was defeated and the state was annexed to Travancore by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. By this integration, Alummoottil family lost its special status enjoyed till then in the Kayamkulam princely state.

[PPJ]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

A unique Church with lot of fusion elements of Kerala culture, Roman Christian architecture.

Its not roman, its Syrian. Syrian christian architecture is quite dome shaped like the mosques.

[georgescifo]

Originally Posted by sanjupalayat

This is Kerala's first heritage museum.It is10 kms from Ernakulam town.
Visiting hours : 9.00 to 12.30 hrs&14.00 to 16.30 hrs.
on all days except Mondays.
Other informations:Built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. In the Ethno - Archaeological Museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).
Also exhibited are over 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China. Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock cut weapons from the stone ages, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjadaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art.

Might Visit this palace in the coming week after Onam, with my friends

[mohammedirshad06]

Hill Palace, Kochi

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CC: Arun Ravindranathan

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cc: jojothomas44

Hill Palace located in Tripunithara, a suburb of Kochi City, was the headquarters of erstwhile Cochin Royal Family and principal seat of administration of Kochi Maharajas. It is the largest archaeological muesum in the state, with more than 49 buildings and 16 galleries with more than 1000 artifacts on display. The Crown Gallery with the priceless Cochin Crown and other Crown Jewels are one of the star attraction, along with its vast deer park.

The Palace was constructed in 1869 after Kochi Maharajas moved the capital from Thrissur to Tripunithara. Designed in a mixture of Kerala-Dutch and English styles, it believed to have one of the largest network of underground tunnels for a secret escape in event of an attack.

[maheshponneth]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

A unique Church with lot of fusion elements of Kerala culture, Roman Christian architecture.

what an architecture it has

[DeMorgan]

Hello,

I was fortunate enough to be taken around this palace by a member of the former rulers family.

This lady explained to us that it had been built by the British who felt that the Rajah's of Travancore should be living in a larger and grander house, than the one they usually lived in.

At the back of the palace there is a long steep path leading away from this palace, to the much nicer older traditional Rajah's palace.

She explained that the Rajah disliked having to go up to the new palace for official events, when he had to wait around in all the heat and formality as he dealt with the British officials.

Apparently, as soon as the meetings were over, he would hurry off back to his favourite home at the bottom of the hill.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by DeMorgan

Hello,

I was fortunate enough to be taken around this palace by a member of the former rulers family.

This lady explained to us that it had been built by the British who felt that the Rajah's of Travancore should be living in a larger and grander house, than the one they usually lived in.

At the back of the palace there is a long steep path leading away from this palace, to the much nicer older traditional Rajah's palace.

She explained that the Rajah disliked having to go up to the new palace for official events, when he had to wait around in all the heat and formality as he dealt with the British officials.


Apparently, as soon as the meetings were over, he would hurry off back to his favourite home at the bottom of the hill.

Well, a few errors.... Hill Palace belongs to Kochi Maharajas, who ruled the Kingdom of Kochi, not Travancore Rajas who ruled the southern districts of Kerala with Capital at Trivandrum.

Secondly Hill Palace was not constructed and gifted by British Officials, rather constructed by Cochin Maramath (PWD) Department under supervision of English architects and planners.

Secondly, the customs of Kochi Royal Family is slightly unique as not every member of Kochi Royal Family resides in Hill Palace. The Cochin Royal Family is one of India's largest Royal Family with more than 1000 members and 5 major Dynasties lines.... Its impossible for accommodate every royal member and other staff in this Palace.

The Maharaja of Kochi was elected from suitable list of Princes of Kochi who was near in relationship with the Queen of Kochi (as Kochi follows Matrilineal relationships). The Queen of Kochi or H.H Penvazhithampuran chooses one of her brother or cousin/step brothers as the new King based on a pre-determined parameters including astrology. Once the Queen chooses one of her brother as the King, he will be elevated to Chief of Family and he moves to Hill Palace along with his immediate family which includes his wives (the chief wife is known as Consort or Neythar Amma; not the title Queen). This also means, much of King's relatives, his cousins and or often his parents etc would be living outside Hill Palace within the city in various Palaces (mostly state Mansions) alloted to them.

The Queen and other princess of the family also donot reside in Hill Palace, rather in Elamana Palace. Naturally Hill Palace was purely an administrative Headquarters of reigning Kings, while much of their personal residences remain elsewhere.

[sanjupalayat]

Aristocratic house of Malabar, Palakkad Dist.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kalloopara Vallya pally- The Church constructed in Kerala Temple architecture styles

[sanjupalayat]

Aristocratic house from North Malabar (Kasaragod)

[sanjupalayat]

Mother of God Cathedral, Kozhikode!

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cc-Manish Mohandas