Which are the palaces in Kerala? / Kovilakams
Kovilakas were built to house the heirs of princely states. Kovilakas are under the control of the eldest member of the family. The princely state has several Kovilakas representing different matrimonial branches of the same family. The lords of these shrines can rise to the rank of king as they age. Once a member of Kovilakam is elected to the title of ‘Raja’, he moves from Kovilakam to the palace. The Kovilakas, designed by the sages of architecture and science and built with the marvels of great architects, are the crown jewels of Kerala architecture. A beautiful combination of antiquity and simplicity can be found in the palaces of Kerala. These are the proud symbols of Kerala.
Which is the largest palace in Kerala?
The Largest Palaces in kerala is currently situated in Tamil Nadu, don’t worry it is still under the Kerala Government Archeological department. Built by Marthanda Varma the ruler of Thirivithamkoor
Let’s introduce the old Palaces of Kerala to the knowledge of the new generation.
1) Neeleswaram Kovilakam(Palace):
This Kovilakam in Kasaragod district is a combination of the Kolathiri dynasties and the Samuthiri dynasties.
2) Chirakkal Kovilakam.
Located in Kannur, the Kolaswar-shaped Chirakkal Kovilakam is known as Raja ‘Kolathiri’. Also called Chirakkal Raja. Said to be descendants of the Mushika dynasty, believed to have existed in the 1st century AD. Kerala Varma Pazassiraja was born in Kottayam royal dynasty which was under Kolathunadu.
3) Samodhiri Kovilakam.
In the Kozhikode Samodhiri Kovilakas, the king is chosen from the ‘Nedyiripp Swarupa’. Samothiri Raja is known as ‘Kunnala Konathiri’ and Eradi Maar.
4) Aayiram Nazhi Kovilakam.
This temple in the Malappuram district is 800 years old. The Aayiram Nazhi Kovilakam is a sign of glory that time cannot erase. Years ago, there is a tradition of serving and drinking thousands of najis every day. That is how the name Thousand Nazhi Kovilakam came about. Among the lords of Thousand Nazhi Kovilakam, Mankada Kovilakam, Ariprakovilakam, and Kaddamanna Kovilakams in Valluvanad, the oldest lord is chosen as ‘Valluvakonathiri’. Gadamanna is the administrative seat of Valluvakonathiri king.
5) Kavalapara Palace:
The palace is situated in Ottapalam in the Palakkad district. The king’s title is Karakatkumaran Rama. Kavalapara Moopil is known as Nair. “History of Samudrey taking up the Scepter and Scepter of Nair in Moopil who was loyal to Venatarachan”. Mother of Kavalapara is known as Karaikkal Mata (Karaikkalamma). We all know Karaikkalamma, the goddess of justice in Aitihyamala.
6) Mangadu Kovilakam:
Mangattachans were feudal lords of Kozhikode Samodhiri and held the position of supreme army commander of the country. We all know the story of Mangattachan who saved Poonthanam from robbers.
7) Paliyam Palace:
Paravoor, a vassal of the king of Kochi, is located in Chennamangalam. Paliathatchan was the prime minister of the king of Kochi. Paliathatchan was a brave patriot who fought against the British.
8) Punnathur kotta Kovilakam:
Kovilakam is located at Pookode near Guruvayur. Thalappilli kingdom is one of the dynasties that arose in Kerala after the Second Chera Empire. Kakadu Bhattathiripad was the founder of the Thalappilli dynasty. Among the lords of the four temples namely Ayinikur Kovilakam, Punnathur Kovilakam, Manakulam Kovilakam, and Kakkad Kovilakam, the eldest lord is chosen as the king of Thalappilli. They are known as ‘Punathur Nampiti’. In 1975 Guruvayoor Devaswom bought the Kovilakam. Then the elephants that were taken care of in Sri Kovilakam Maidan were shifted to Punnathur Kovilakam. Later it came to be known as Ana Kota and Punnathur Kota. Earlier there were more than 100 elephants in the fort, now there are around 60 elephants. Guruvayur Keshavan lived here.
9) Amarambalam Palace:
After the Nilambur Kovilakam in Malabar, the second Samantar of the Samoothiri, Vandur, is located in Pookode Padam. The Karanas of Kovilakas are called ‘Karanamulpad’ and the other men are called Tirumulpad. And women as ‘husbands’. Amarambalam Kovilakam is an eight-story temple built in three storeys. Like the floor of the historic Padmanabhapuram palace, the floor of the upper rooms of this temple is as smooth as a mirror. This is known as the mirror floor.
10) Vellarapilli Theke Kovilakam (Palace)
Sakthan Tampuran was born in this shrine located in Kanjur in Ernakulam district.
11 ) Ariyit Vazcha Kovilakam:
The King of Kochi is enshrined in this Kovilakam in Mattancherry.
12) Tripunithura Palace(Kovilakam):
In Kochi shrines, the king is chosen from the ‘Perumpaduppu Swarupam’. It was earlier known as Mada Kingdom, Goshri Kingdom, and Kuruswarupam.
13) Kodungallur Kovilakam:
It was earlier known as Vakshindadu swarupam. The King of Kodungallur is known as the ‘Great Lord’.
14) Arackal Palace:
Kannur is the only Muslim dynasty in Kerala. The history of Arakkal is related to Chirakkal Kovilakam. The eldest member of the family, whether male or female, would assume the rule, Arakkal Bewi. Their position names are Aliraja and Adi Raja. Earlier they also had the rule of Lakshadweep. There is a saying ‘half scream half scream’.
15) Kottayil Kovilakam
Villarvattam: The only Christian dynasty in Kerala, vassal of the King of Kochi. Headquartered at Paravoor Chendamangalam in Ernakulam district. If you come to Chendamangalam, you can still see the ruins of that old palace.
16) Kilimanoor Palace
Birthplace of Raja Ravi Varma.
17) Krishnapuram Palace
Built by Marthandavarma at Kayamkulam.
18) Koickal Palace
Built by Umayammarani.
19) Poonjar Palace
A small princely state ruled by the royal family of the Madurapandya dynasty. Poonjar kingdom was founded by the Pandya kings by buying the Tekumkur from the Vadakumkur kings.
20) Thevalli Palace
It was built by Gauri Parvati Bai in 1811 on the banks of Kollam Ashtamudi backwater.
21) Kolathur Palace
Kolathur, Tirurkkad and Vennila Kovilakas are the Kovilakas that were maintained under the lordships of the Valluvakonathiri dynasty.
22) Ennakkattu Palace:
This palace was built by King Karthika Thirunal Ramavarma to house the Manorama Tamburati of Kolathunadu who came as a refugee to Travancore during Tipu’s campaign. This palace, the birthplace of R Sankaranarayanan Thambi, the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, is now dilapidated and dilapidated.
23) Iraniyal Palace.
Today this palace is in the Kanyakumari district. According to the Mathilakam records and Tiruvattar Granthvaris, this palace was built by Cheraman Perumal who ruled the Second Chera Empire in the 8th century. Earlier its name was Koikal in Teke Thevan slum. Eraniyal Palace was the administrative capital of Venadin until Padmanabhapuram Palace was built in 1601. Today, this historical monument has fallen into the forest and is half-destroyed.
24) Chazhur Kovilakam
Chazhur Kovilakam is located in Peringotukara in the Thrissur district. This Kovilakam is the main shrine of the Kochi dynasty. Tripunithura, Vellarapillali, and Edakunnapuzha shrines are the other shrines.
25) Pulapatta Kovilakam
Kovilakam is located in Kalladikod in the Palakkad district. Valluvakona Thiri’s death warriors are served at Pulapetta Kovilakam before going to Mamangam.
26) Palakkatussery Idam:
The residences of the Palakkatusserry kings are known as Chima. There are many places on Palakkad road. The position name of the Palakkad king is known as Sekharivarma.
Existing palaces in Kerala:
Kollangode Palace,
Palakkatussery Place,
Pazhassi Kovilakam,
Pulani Kovilakam,
Nilambur Palace,
Mancheri Puthan kovilakam,
Trivandrum Kovilakam Kollam,
Kottayam Kovilakam,
Kuzhithura palace,
Atingal Palace,
Kavadiyar Palace,
Kanakakunnu Palace,
Kovalam Palace,
Puthan Malika (Kuthira Malika),
Mempady Koical,
Padmanabhapuram Palace,
Ampalapuzha Palace,
Pandalam Palace,
Peruvanam Palace,
Shaktan Tampuran Palace Thrissur,
Hill Palace,
Vellankallur Kovilakam …
These are the name of very few palaces that I know of. Tell me if there are any hidden Palaces in Kerala.
These structures that house the cultural heritage of Kerala should be preserved. These should always be retained as textbooks for students of history. Samuthir Kovilakam and Villarvattam do not exist today. We missed it. Kavalapara, Chirakkal, and Nileswaram palaces are falling into the forest and falling apart. Earlier when I visited Kasaragod I saw many forts collapsed and lying in the forest. The Board of Archeology Department, which is under government protection, saw everything there.
After the fall of the Kulasekhara Empire (Perumakans) in 1102, many independent dynasties were born in different parts of the country. Landlords and lords dominated their own territories and consolidated their administrative power.
Raja Sworupams of Kerala.. ( These are small countries formed after the fall of a great Empire.)
Travancore Royal Dynasty
Perumbadappu Svoroopam
Nediyiruppu Sworoopam
Ilayidathu Sworoopam
Desinganadu Swarupa
Aattingal Sworoopam
Kayamkulam Royal dynasty
Purakkad Royal dynasty
Karunagapalli swarupam
Kartikapally Swarupam
Pandalam Royal dynasty
Thekumkur Royal dynasty
Vadakumkur Royal dynasty
Poonjar Desham
Karappuram Rajyam
Anchikaimal Rajyam
Edapalli Swarupa
Paravoor Swarupa
Alangod Desham
Kodungallur Royal dynasty
Thalappilli Royal dynasty
Mukundapuram Royal dynasty
Chengazi Nadu
Valluvanad
Tharoor Swarupam
Kollangode Rajyam
Kavalapara swarupam
Vettathu Nadu
Parappanad
Kurumbranadu
Kadthanad
Kola sworoopam
Kottayam Royal dynasty
Kurangoth Kingdom
Randu Thara Rajyam
Arackal Sworoopam
Nileswaram Royal dynasty
Kumbala Nadu
Nedunganad
Villarvattam
Cheruvelli Sworoopam
Karingambilli swarupa
Koratti Swarupam
Kodasseri Swarupam
