7 Most Famous Monuments in Kerala
God’s own land, Kerala, one the most beautiful states, is located in Western Ghats in the southern west area of India and is rich in natural beauty. Kerala has several tribal and folk art forms from Kummattikali, the colourful mask dance performed during the festival of Onam. People are proud and attached to their traditions. This land of Coconuts offers us scenic beauty, ecotourism, beaches and mesmerising backwaters, rich heritage, temples, sanctuaries and exotic mouth watering cuisines. Being the Spice Garden of India, Kerala has a wide range of high quality spices. Kerala is a heaven for humans on earth so peaceful. To find this peace, you definitely should visit these 7 monuments in Kerala filled with history and greenery.
HILL PALACE
Inhabited and owned by the royal family of Cochin, Hill Palace is Kerala’s first heritage and largest archaeological museum. Located on a hill in Tripunithura, this is one of the most popular monuments in Kerala and is surrounded by a beautiful garden, it hosts beautiful artefacts of the former Maharaja of Cochin. It is a must visit site for history enthusiasts. Built around 1865, the palace consists of 49 buildings, spreading across 54 acres built in traditional architectural style. Rare 19th century paintings, murals, weapons,coins, pottery and ceramic vases from japan, china and wooden model temples etc are housed for visitors to look at.
The museum remains open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM and is closed on Mondays.
How To Reach
As the hill palace is in Tripunithura, The nearest airport to reach is Cochin International Airport and nearest railway station is Ernakulam Railway Station.
BEKAL FORT
Dating back to 300 years, Bekal Fort is among the oldest monuments in Kerala, is situated on the shore of Arabian Sea in the south of Kasaragod district in Northern Kerala. Spreading across 40 acres, it is among the largest forts in Kerala. Tourists flock to this site everyday. Positioned on steep hills by the sea shore, the fort offers breathtaking views, a hanuman temple, water tank, an ancient temple and a rock garden built with laterite.
Tourists can visit the fort from 8AM to 6PM everyday.
How To Reach
To reach Bekal Fort the nearest railway stations are Kasargod and Kanhangad Railway Station and nearest airport is Mangalore Airport.
PALAKKAD FORT
In the heart of Palakkad town lies the best preserved fort. Palakkad fort was built by Hyder Ali, the king of Mysore in 1766 AD, when he captured the northern regions of Kerala. The fort came to be known as Tippu’s fort after he captured it. Now it is preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, having a temple of Lord Hanuman, a museum and a moat with a jogging track parallel to it. The fort has witnessed much history in its own walls.
The fort opens for tourists from 8 AM to 5:30 PM everyday.
How To Reach
The nearest railhead to reach Palakkad Fort is Palakkad Railway Station. Coimbatore Airport is the nearest domestic air terminal and Cochin International Airport which is 140 kilometres away.
KRISHNAPURAM PALACE
Housing one of the biggest mural paintings in Kerala, the Krishnapuram Palace is located in Kayamkulam around 47 km from Alappuzha district. The majestic palace was built by Anizham Marthanda Varma, the ruler of former princely state Travancore in the 18th century. The palace is one of those monuments in Kerala which is currently maintained by the Archaeological Department of Kerala.
Built in the standard architectural style of kerala with narrow corridors, thick framed doors and gabled roof, the palace sits at the top of a small hill surrounded by ponds, terraced gardens and lawns. It attracts a lot of tourists everyday to see stone inscriptions, bronze statues, a sanskrit bible and other exhibits.
Krishnapuram place is open to visitors from 9 AM to 4:30pm everyday except on Mondays
How To Reach
To reach Krishnapuram Palace, the nearest railhead is Kayamkulam Station, it lies merely 2km away. The nearest air travel destination is Trivandrum International Airport.
POONJAR PALACE
Surrounded with the collection of grand antiques, attractive lamps, Poonjar Palace in Kottayam district of Kerala is a among the monuments in Kerala with glorious attestation of old abundant history. Here, the tourists take a glimpse of extraordinary royal antiques, astonishing chandeliers, wonderful sculptures, jewel box, classic furniture, palm leaf engravings, weapons and sculpture of Natraja(dancing Lord Shiva). Near the palace, a replica of Madurai Meenakshi Temple attracts the eyes of visitors. The walls of the temple are decorated with cite stories from the Puranas.
Want to relive time and memories of bygone eras? then visit Poonjar fort.
How To Reach
To reach Poonjar Palace in Kottayam district, the nearest airports are Cochin International Airport(75km) and Trivandrum International Airport and the nearest railhead is Kottayam Railway Station (43km).
MATTANCHERRY PALACE/ DUTCH PALACE
Depicting the great work of Sanskrit poet Kalidasa and some significant Indian epics like Mahabharta, Ramayana, The Mattancherry palace, also noted as “Dutch Palace” is located in Jen Town Road in Mattancherry, Kochi. Being one of the monuments in Kerala which was built by Portuguese and later presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi Dynasty. The Palace is the splendid example of Kerala Style architecture fused with colonial influences. This mesmerising palace has an exquisite collection of murals which covers almost 300 sq.km, life size portraits of Cochin Kings, daggers and swords and coins issued by the Kings. Take a tour of the palace and learn about the captivating history of Kerala through the irreplaceable artefacts.
Dutch Place opens everyday 10 AM to 6 PM except for Friday and Saturday.
How To Reach
To reach Dutch Palace, the nearest railhead is Ernakulam Railway Station and nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.
THALASSERY FORT
Built out of Laterite blocks, Thalassery fort is situated in Kannur district of Kerala. Standing as a colonialist monument, the British East India Company constructed this fort in a strategic location to withstand every kind of invasion. The fort lies on a wooden hill running down the sea, rising to the height of 10 metres. The fort offers an incredible view of the sea, a wide courtyard, two underground chambers and a lighthouse, which make it a famous tourist destination.
The fort opens from 8AM to 5:30 PM everyday.
How To Reach
To reach Thalassery fort, the nearest airports are Kannur International Airport and Calicut International Airport and the nearest railway station is Thalassery Railway Station.
Related Topic:- ITINERARY TO GOD’S OWN COUNTRY: KERALA