|
Bolghatty
Palace
Built by the Dutch in 1744, the Bolghatty palace in Ernakulam is on an
island, off Cochin in the Arabian Sea. The building was once a
Governor's palace for the Dutch and later the home of the British
Residents. Today, this is one of the prestigious hotels of the Kerala
Tourism Development Corporation.
Cheraman Juma Masjid
Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungalloor is the first mosque in India. It
was built in 629 A.D. and resembles a temple in appearance. It is
situated. This was rebuilt recently
Cheruthuruthy
Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam) north of Trichur, 29km away, near
the Shornore Railway Junction. Mahakavi Vallathol founded Kerala
Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, in 1930. It's main objective is to
revive, preserve and develop the traditional art form of Kerala,
particularly Kathakali.Now the Kerala Kalamandalam is functioning at
Vallathol Nagar, in Cheruthuruthy with its new building complex the
Natyagraha. The old Kerala Kalamandalam is still at Cheruthuruthy on the
shore of Nila River (Bharathapuzha). The Samadhi of Poet Vallathol, the
founder of the institution, is in the premises of the old
Kalamandalam.It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali
performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers
training in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattom,
Koodiyattom and Ottan Thullal.
Alwaye palace
The Alwaye palace is situated on the banks of the Periyar River with
beautiful circular verandas overlooking the river. This old palace
building is now The Alwaye Guest House, which is one of the loveliest in
this State.
Aranmula Temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna is another pilgrim place for Hindus. The
temple Aranmula can be reached from Chengannur on the Thiruvananthapuram
- Kottayam route. A major attraction are the snake boat races held as
part of the Uthrettathi festival in August/September. Aranmula is famed
for its hand-made mirrors of polished metal called the "Aranmula
Kannadi".
St. Sebastian Church
Portuguese missionaries established one of the most important pilgrim
centres of the Christians in Kerala, popularly known as St. Sebastian
Church, 22 kms; north of Alleppey. This church is near Sherthallai. The
feast of St. Sebastian is held here every January.
Bekkal Fort
The largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, Bekkal Fort, in
Kasarkode, is 16 km south on the National Highway. The beautiful Bakkel
beach with the historic and archaeologically significant fort in the
background is now being developed, into an international tourist
destination. Earlier it was part of the kingdom of Ikkiri Naiks,
provincial rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.It became part of the
Vijayanagar Empire. In the late 18th century Tipu Sultan captured it. An
old mosque near the fort is believed to have been built by the Mysore
forces. After the British overthrew him, the fort came under the East
India Company.
Guruvayur
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32 kms away. It
is among India's most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as
the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts
thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th century.
Tradition has it that Guru-the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu-the Lord
of the Winds created the temple. The temple is dedicated to Krishna
known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, the extreme
grounds of Punnathur Kotta near Guruvayoor houses the elephants of
Guruvayoor temple.The building was once the palace of a provincial
chieftain Punnathur Nambidi
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Though located at Thuckalai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, (65
kms south of Thiruvananthapuram) this former palace of Travancore is a
splendid example of Kerala architecture. It is a protected monument of
the Kerala State Archaeology Department. The palace is noted for its
excellent wood architecture and murals.
Nedumangad Palace
This 18th century palace known as Koikkal Kottaram is situated about
fourteen Kms from Thiruvananthapuram at Nedumangad.The palace today
houses a folklore museum and a numismatic museum as well.
The Churches ar Muttuchira (Kottayam)
Situated on the MC Road, between Vaikom and Kaduthuruthi, Muttuchira has
an interesting conglomeration of three churches of different periods
built in the same compound. These churches display distinctive features
of the evolution of Church architecture in Keraa, the oldest of which is
a typical example of Neo-Boroque style.
Krishnapuram Palace
This is also another protected monument of the state. A former palace of
Travancore kings, it was built in the 18th century at Krishnapuram in
Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district.This monument is often reffered to as a
miniature model of Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Mattancheri Palace
This was a palace built for the Raja of Kochi in1552 AD by the Portugese.
But posterity remembers this monument as the Dutch Palace, mainly
because it was renovated and re-built by the Dutch East India Company.
The palace has beautiful murals and a remarkable display of old
Palanquins and armoury.
Hill Palace Museum (Ernakulam)
This museum displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal
family of Cochin, including the king's throne and crown. Also on display
are other trapping of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carving and
samples of epigraphy. Tripunithura is also known for the nearby
Chottanikkara Temple and the Tripunithura Temple.
Palace and Jewish Synagogue (Mattancherry)
It was built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls of the Old Testament, the
copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Kerala rulers
Bhaskara Varma in A.D 1000 and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles
are of interest. No two tiles are alike and are two hundred years old.
There are also several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to
the synagogue by various patrons.
Arackal Palace & Kannur Fort
The Arackal Palace is the sole Royal household of Muslims in Kerala.It
is located at Kannur. The Arackkal Family was known as Arackkal
Beevi,who could also be invested with sovereignity if she happened to be
older than the senior male member of the family. The fort built by the
Portugese stands nearby
|
