 The
king's bedchamber or 'Palliyara' left of the entrance occupying the southwest
corner of the Palace is noteworthy with its low wooden ceiling and
300 sq feet of wall surface covered in about 48 paintings illustrating
the Ramayana, from the beginning of the sacrifice of Dasaratha to Sita's
return from captivity in Lanka. These paintings are the earliest in the
palace, dating as early as 16th century. The last five scenes are from
the 'Krishna Lila' where in a cheerful God Krishna using his six hands
and two feet to engage in foreplay with eight happy milkmaids. Another
important series of paintings in the Dutch Palace is found in the upper
staircase rooms, notably that of the coronation hall that was made under
Dutch patronage. Among the compositions are Lakshmi seated on the lotus, sleeping Vishnu (Ananthasayanamurti),
Shiva and Parvati seated with Ardhanariswara and other goddesses, the
coronation of Rama, Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana etc. On the opposite
side of the coronation hall is the staircase room or Kovinithalam (Room
No II) , with a descent to the lower storey and four paintings belonging
to Shiva, Vishnu and Devi, one incomplete. The ladies chambers below
the stairway are closed off to visitors. Room No. IV depict scenes from
Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.
The eastern rectangular chambers across the rosewood
covered main hall is entered through a steep stairway and an entrance
porch with finely carved and painted ceiling. The first of the eastern
chambers is marked by fabulous scenes of Vishnu and Siva iconography and
just beyond it to the left is a small room with an unfinished but bold
image of Vishnu as 'Vaikunthanatha'. These are among the latest works
in the palace. The Dining Hall has carved wooden ornate ceiling decorated
with a series of brass cups. The palace also contains rare examples of
traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but
is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant
juices and egg whites.
Adjacent to the palace, almost within its grounds is
the famous Cochin synagogue built in 1567 and between them stands a large
circular temple with a cone roof which is not open to non- Hindus.
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