The third court marks the beginning of the private zone
of the palace. Here, on the north of 'Pilamottu Kottaram' is 'Upparikka Malika' (upper storey) or the Perumal Kottaram. Its four chambers, arranged
one above the another, connected by steep steps, served as a treasury
on the ground floor, the royal sleeping chamber on the second floor,
the royal meditation chamber and shrine room on the fourth floor. On days
of penance, His Highness took rest on the third floor, which also served
as his prayer room. The 18th century Kerala murals on the walls remains
unblemished even after centuries and surpass even those at Mattancherry palace in Kochi. There is also a four poster medicinal
bed of 64 ayurvedic healing woods here, many presented by the Dutch.
Each room in the palace has its own characteristic style.
A guided tour through the maze of 108 rooms leaves one breathless at the
artistic expression and sheer opulence of these magnificent rooms. Painted
mahogany musical ceremonial bows adorn a wall, a huge brass oil lamp hangs
from an ornate teak, wooden ceilings profusely carved etc are a feast
to the eyes.
 The manthrasala
(Council chamber) with a shiny hard black floor specially made from a
combination of egg white, jaggery lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river
sand, granite tubs to cool curd and buttermilk and some coloured mica
in the windows, is situated right at the top of the portico of Pilamoottu
Kottaram (palace). The 'mattuppavu' (balcony) situated on the south served
as the dining hall of the palace employees. An enormous 2 storeyed hall
served as an 'oottupura' ( dining hall), where 2,000 Brahmins were fed
free once daily. The paintings in the prayer room are simply superb. However
this room is mostly kept locked and one has to have permission to enter. The
fourth court of the palace occupies the east part of the complex.
 PREVIOUS  NEXT
|
|
|
Monuments 
Write
Comments
