Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari

Visitor Information

  • Famous For: Tourism, Experience seekers, Art and Architecture.
  • Entrance Fee: For adults, the entry fee is 10 INR and for children it is 2 INR. For carrying a camera or a video camera, you will have to pay extra charges. The charges are 25 INR and 1000 INR respectively.
  • Visiting Time: Padmanabhpuram Palace remains closed on all Mondays and other National holidays. From Tuesday to Sunday, the museum opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM
  • Visit Duration: Approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Famous for its architectural brilliance and beauty, the Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kerala is one of the finest specimens of the heritage of this state. Most tourists from all parts of the country never miss out on this spot. The splendid carved columns, painted ceilings and the wood work all add to the charm of this place.

Pathmanabapuram Palace
Photo by Thejas Panarkandy, CC BY 2.0

Traveller Tips

  • Visitors are not allowed to touch anything that is on display inside the Padmanabhpuram Palace. You might have to pay a fine if found guilty.
  • Carrying a camera is a must. The charges are very nominal but totally worth it.
  • Do not litter the place by any means by leaving behind plastic bags or bottles. Keep the place clean and avoid any mess.
  • If there are children in the group, make sure that they do not run around the entire place.

Things to Do

  • Food will be a major part of your journey to Kerala. Taste the Authentic South Indian Food in any of the local restaurants in the area.
  • The palace is pretty huge and will keep you engaged. Make sure that you enjoy the whole experience.

Availability of Guides

The best way to know the vivid details of the Padmanabhapuram palace is by reading blog posts or articles on the internet. There are personal experiences and much more.

You can also ask the officials if they can help you with something.

How to Reach

Located in Thuckalay, it is at a distance of about 55 kilometres from Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. You can always hire a cab or avail the bus service.

The nearest railway station is Nagarcoil. It is 16 kilometres from the palace and can be reached very easily by bus or taxi.

For flights, you will have to land in Trivandrum International Airport and take your preferred transport option. About 52 kilometres, the journey is very pleasant and scenic.

Best Time to Visit

The weather in Kanyakumari is pretty moderate all throughout the year. The best time to plan a trip is during the months of October to March. Spring is an amazing time because there is cool wind during the evening time that most tourists enjoy.

During the summer months (April and May), the temperature can rise as high as 35 degree Celsius. The weather is hot and very humid. Sight-seeing is not the best option but you can always go for a swim or go surfing.

Interesting Facts and Trivia About the Padmanabhapuram Palace

  • The Padmanabhpuram palace is not inside the state borders of Kerala but it is maintained by the Archaeological Department of the State Government. River Valli is nearest to this place.
  • The building is very ancient and was constructed back in 1601 AD by the ruler of Travancore named Iravi Iravi Varma Kulashekara Perumal.
  • The Palace is named after Lord Padmanabha Dasa. Marthanda Varma, the ruler who was responsible for the completion of this structure was a worshiper of Lord Padmanabha.
  • Most tourists are unaware of the fact that inside the Padmanabhapuram Palace there existed hidden tunnels, brass structures, other important items that were used by the kings or rulers of ancient times.
  • Inside the palace, you will also find paintings, stone cot and weapons.
  • The major sections of the palace include the King’s Council Chamber, Thai Kottaram or Mother’s Palace, Hall of Performance, a Southern palace and a central building with four chambers.
Pathmanabapuram Palace Kerala
Photo by Thejas Panarkandy, CC BY 2.0

Nearby Attractions

  • Vivekananda Memorial
  • Gandhi Memorial
  • Thiruvalluvar Statue
  • Kumara Amman Temple
  • Shri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple
  • Thirparappu Falls

Nearby Restaurants

  • Arasar Bakery
  • Garden Restaurant
  • Annapurana
  • Swiss Bakers Parvatipuram
  • Hot chicken
  • Kumar Chicken Kadai

Kerala is famous for its temples, beaches and also the palaces. The Padmanabhapuram Palace is a must visit and you would not want to miss out on this opportunity.

About Rohit

An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs, he’s currently trying to bring forth as many different places a traveller who shares the same level of curiosity like him would like to visit through his writings.

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