Relics of royalty The Poonjar Palace, Kottayam district
Poonjar Palace - Location : Poonjar Palace at Poonjar on the Pala-Erattupetta
route, Kottayam district, central Kerala.
Poonjar Palace - Attractions: Royal collection of antiques, rock
cut lamps, sculptures etc.
The Poonjar Palace is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence
of a bygone era. Within the palace walls is an extraordinary royal
collection of antiques and exquisite furniture including a palanquin,
a thoni - carved out of a single piece of wood - for Ayurvedic massages,
huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, varieties of
lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Siva), grain measures,
statues and weapons. A unique conch preserved here is taken out once
a year for ritualistic purposes.
Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple.
The walls of this temple bear sculptures that narrate stories from
the Puranas (the legends of ancient India). However, the most fascinating
thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on the stonewalls
of the Sastha Temple nearby. Such rocks cut lamps are rare in India.
Poonjar Palace - Getting there:
Poonjar Palace - Nearest major railway station: Kottayam, about 30
km from Pala.
Poonjar Palace - Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport,
about 76 km from Kottayam town.
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