Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace — once the capital residence of the Kingdom of Travancore — stands quietly in Padmanabhapuram in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. Though geographically in Tamil Nadu, the palace continues to be owned and maintained by the Government of Kerala. Also known as Kalkulam Palace, it is known for the finest traditional wooden architecture in South India. More details about the palace can be found at Padmanabhapuram Palace Official website www.padmanabhapurampalace.org.

To Padmanabhapuram Palace

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Parts of the iconic Malayalam movie Manichitrathazhu was filmed here. But for me, the true beauty of the palace was captivated in the movie His Highness Abdullah — the first film that I watched in a theatre. The palace also was a location for another beautiful Malayalam movie Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil, which was shot much before Manichitrathazhu and His Highness Abdullah. As I write this blog, Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil is being played on the TV, a film that remains as one of my all-time favorites.

I feel that places like these just don't simply appear in movies, they just elevate the cinema itself. The palace adds a timeless soul to those movies, character and songs, lifting the art to another level altogether.

Holding tiny hands of my daughter, as I walked through the long corridors, the meeting halls, the vast kitchen, the guest quarters, and royal bedrooms, countless thoughts filled my mind. 

Meetings Room

I wondered, the number of decisions and judgments that were once made within those walls, the echoes of dances and kacheris that must have brought life to the palace, the long lasting celebrations held there, the number of artisans and dignitaries who once arrived,  and the enormous meals prepared in the huge kitchen. 

Kitchen

There was something deeply moving about walking through spaces once crossed by kings, queens, and dignitaries. The palace seemed to hold both the charm and the silent cries of another era. 

Every pillar felt like a keeper of secrets, carrying stories that time itself chose not to reveal. 

Memories are captured deeper within us than in photographs — a feeling, a thought, or even an unanswered question to me: Was I somehow part of that era too? Is it haunting me ?

As I sat in the car, somewhere deep within, I felt a quiet sadness as though I was leaving something behind. I do not know the answer.  

I wish to return there again someday, simply sit in silence, breathe & feel the timelessness, spend a few calm moments and listen to the stories that the palace still whispers.

Palani Murugan Temple

Tamil Nadu and its temple architecture have always fascinated me. I often feel deeply connected to these places, as though I have been there before.

Something in me have inspired me to explore temples whenever I can. My archaeological interests seem to align, indirectly, with those of my grandfather. One such shared interest led us to the famous Palani Murugan Temple.

Temple view

The temple is located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest and most visited temples in the state, attracting millions of devotees every year.

Steps to & from the temple

From the Cable Car

We were blessed to visit the shrine in 2015. Due to time constraints and for the convenience of my grandparents, we opted for the cable car ride to and from the temple. The misty morning atmosphere, cool breeze, and pleasant climate at the hilltop together created a truly divine environment.

Views from the temple

Temple Views

Temple Views

City View from the temple

Views from the temple.

The magnificent view of the city from the top of the hill, along with the beautiful stone carvings, was captivating. Though I do not remember every detail, even today I can still feel the presence of that divinity.

After a fulfilling darshan, we took the cable car back down, and as expected, my mother’s attention was quickly drawn to the various fruit and household vendors below.

Small Vendors

One of my mother's favorite "shopping from local vendors"

Horse cart for nearby transportation needs.

Overall, it was a memorable and joyful trip for all of us

His Lens & My Eyes ~ Kanya kumari & Kumara kovil

 Visiting Kanyakumari marked the beginning of something new for me. Since long-distance travel wasn’t always easy, I started seeking out places that were close to one another or closer to our home in India. This naturally led me to explore many temples and sites around the Kanyakumari region and further moving to Tamil Nadu, which still continues

Year 2009 - Thiruvalluvar Statue (Stone Sculpture of Tamil poet & Philosopher)

Year 2021 - Kanya Kumari

Year 2021 - On the way to Thiruvananthapuram from Kanya Kumari

Tamil Nadu, in particular, holds a very special place in my heart. Though I’ve only visited Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in South India, the charm of Tamil Nadu’s villages is unmatched. There’s something about the mornings there, the calm, the rhythm of daily life that carries a unique vibe.

To convince my parents to travel with me, I began by telling Amma about temples in different places, some of which she already knew. To my surprise, she started telling me about temples I had never even heard of. What began as my attempt to inspire her turned into a beautiful exchange, which became a source of mutual inspiration. Achan would often joke, “I’m just following you two!” Later, our little gang of inspiration grew with our daughter becoming an active member of the group.

While Amma and Achan were fond of temples, I was drawn more to the architecture, the details, the energy, the vibe each place carried. My husband, on the other hand, is a choosy traveler, preferring selected experiences over spontaneous stops. I Believe he had become a choosy traveler because of the vast number of trips he had during his colleague days. But whether it was temple visits, carefully chosen destinations, or unexpected travels, I found joy in every journey.

In the early days, most of our travels were in a white Ambassador taxi. Sitting in the back seat, feeling the breeze, the freshness of the air, the earthy scent that rose from the sands after a rain, several tea stops, the hot snacks from small roadside shops, each of these simple pleasures added to the charm of our travels.

The Drive & The Captain - Year 2011

While exploring places near Thiruvananthapuram, we decided to visit Kumara Kovil and Padmanabhapuram Palace. As of today, we've visited Padmanabhapuram Palace only once, but we've been to the Kumara Kovil temple several times.

I had shared these pictures earlier in this post: https://aroundmylittlelife.blogspot.com/2015/08/in-and-around-kumara-kovil.html.  In addition to the pictures, in the link, few more are posted here.

Mom & Daughter time - Kumara Kovil - Year 2011

It felt like every nook and corner had a small temple or an idol tucked away, quietly watching over the village. The scent of fresh flowers in the air added a divine, almost sacred quality to the atmosphere. It wasn't just travel it was an experience that touched something deeper.

Nearby Kumara Kovil - Year 2011

On our way back home to Thiruvananthapuram, we made a quick stop near a banana plantation. As it began to drizzle and heavier rain was expected, we decided to head straight home.

Somewhere near Kumara Kovil - Year 2011

By God’s grace, we have been to Kumara Kovil in 2022, 2023, and just a few months ago. And I still wish to go there again again.

Kumara Kovil - Year 2022

Kumara Kovil - Year 2022

Again in 2025 - More to go