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| Nedumpuram Palace, Tiruvalla, Astrolika.com |
Above image: Nedumpuram Palace, Tiruvalla, in Pathanamthitta District,Kerala is a famous palace that belonged to a branch of the Kulasekhara dynasty that ruled the principality of Udayamangalam in Northern Kerala. The family belonged originally to the Valluvanad royal line of ascension. During the raid by Tipu Sultan of Mysore for safety purpose, the royal family sought the patronage of the King of Travancore. Then there was a division of the family into two branches establishing principalities within Travancore in Mariapalli and Tiruvalla. The present palace is at the earlier location of a palace that belonged to the Raja of Tiruvalla........
Near-by Scenic Thiruvalla, Kerala /tripxl.com/
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| Tiruvalla, Kerala. www.thiruvalla.com |
Nedumpuram Palace, located in Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, is a remarkable example of traditional Kerala architecture. The main palace is a complex pathinarukettu (16 halls), a structure divided into four interconnected blocks, each with four halls and an indoor open courtyard. This design, similar to the smaller, single-block Nālukettu (characteristic of kovilakam style) single block of this architecture used for joint families, features multiple open courtyards that facilitate air circulation and are used for ritual purposes. The palace's construction relies on teak, with beams and false ceilings supporting the structure. The use of carved and slotted wood for everything but the foundation and floor gives the building a distinct resemblance to traditional East Asian gabled and thatched structures. In later years, tiles replaced the original coconut fronds on the roof.
The enclosed courtyards are a central architectural feature. They are sunk into the ground and serve as spaces for ritual ablutions and for cultivating plants used in ceremonies. The courtyards are open to the sky, providing direct access to the surrounding rooms. A unique aspect of the palace's layout is its division by an inner temple where the family's deity is enshrined and worshipped. The large teak doors on the outer verandahs are reserved for specific ritual uses and are rarely opened, maintaining a sense of privacy and tradition. The verandahs on the western and eastern sides are open, while those on the northern and southern sides are enclosed or semi-enclosed.
The main palace is complemented by several outbuildings of a later vintage. These include the Puttan Kottaram (New Palace), which houses a temple, and the Vadakke Kottaram (Southern Palace), a structure separated by a river that was home to non-family members connected by marriage. Another branch, kezhakke nedumpurathu Kottaram, also known as Thukalassery kottaram, has been exceptionally well-preserved without modern modifications, thus maintaining the original aesthetic of this magnificent royal structure. Based on early post:
https://www.navrangindia.in/2017/09/nedumpuram-palace-tiruvalla-traditional.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nedumpuram_Palace.
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