https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Sivaganga_PalaceSivaganga Palace - Revision history2026-11-02T16:23:30ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sivaganga_Palace&diff=154431&oldid=previmported>Dl2000: en-IN2020-08-01T20:12:47Z<p>en-IN</p>
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'''Sivaganga Palace''' is a palace in [[Sivaganga district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], southern India, about {{Convert|40|km}} from [[Madurai]].<ref name=madurawelcome.com/> It is an old royal palace, with many historical connections.<ref name="Sura2010">{{cite book|title=SURA's tourist guide to Tamil Nadu : the wonderland of towering temples|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGxbJqdEQrwC&pg=PA102|author=SURA|year=2010|publisher=Sura Maps|location=Chennai|isbn=978-81-7478-177-2|page=102}}</ref> The palace was used as residence by queens [[Velu Nachiyar]] (1780–90), [[Vellacci|Vellacci Nachiyar]] (1790–93) and Rani Kaathama Nachiar (1864–77).<ref name= Muthukumaran/> No remains of the original Sivaganga Palace exist, but a new palace, known as '''"Gowri Vilasam"''', was built by Padamathur Gowry Vallabha Thevar (1801-1829) in the year 19th century.<ref name= Muthukumaran>{{Cite web|author=Muthukumaran|url=http://www.sivagangaiseemai.com/history/sivagangai-kingdom.html|title= Sivagangai History and Photographs, Sivagangai Complete Information|date=2 February 2012|publisher= sivagangaiseemai.com}}</ref> A heritage site of [[Chettinad]], it was the property of Rani Velu Nachiar.<ref name="People2002">{{cite book|author=India. Parliament. House of the People|title=Lok Sabha Debates|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uhhVAAAAYAAJ|date=March 2002|publisher=Lok Sabha Secretariat}}</ref><br />
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==Early history==<br />
The original palace, built in 1730,<ref name=madurawelcome.com>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madurawelcome.com/sivagangai/sivagangai_placesofinterest.htm |title=Sivagangai Places of Interest|publisher= madurawelcome.com}}</ref> was the venue of secret negotiations between [[Veerapandiya Kattabomman]] and the [[Maruthu Pandiyar]] brothers to overthrow the British regime.<ref name= Muthukumaran/> It came under attack several times between 1762 and 1789. The only remnant of the original palace was in the form of a high wall which has since been destroyed.<ref name= Muthukumaran/><br />
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==Gowri Vilasam==<br />
A new structure was built in the early 19th century by Padamathur Gowry Vallabha Thevar (1801-1829) and named the Gowri Vilasam. After Thevar died, his brother, Oyya, occupied the palace with his sons. He took over the leadership of the kingdom on the ruse that the [[British Raj|British]] would take over, as the king had died intestate. They created false documents by forging the signature of the late king to take over the kingdom and crowned themselves sitting on the black marble stone of the court of the palace.<ref name= Muthukumaran/><br />
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==Architecture and fittings==<br />
The now dilapidated Gowri Vilasam is built in the architectural style of the [[Thirumalai Nayak|Tirumala Naikas]], which has some features of the [[Rajaputana]] [[arts]]. There was a clock on the front gate of the facade on the southern side of this place, no longer in a working condition. Within the palace is the Temple of Sri Raja Rajeshwari,<ref name=bharatonline.com>{{cite web|title=Sivaganga Palace|url=http://www.bharatonline.com/tamilnadu/travel/madurai/sivaganga-palace.html|website=bharatonline.com|accessdate=4 January 2015}}</ref> with the [[deity]] Raja Rajeswar of the Royal House of Sivaganga. The temple is functional and the renowned poet [[Papanasam Sivan]] is said to have composed many popular songs extolling the deity. The temple also has a statue of the king Kandumekki Woodaya Taver.<ref name= Muthukumaran/><br />
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==Grounds==<br />
The palace grounds contain the Durbar hall of the past kings, which honour notable poets.<ref name= Muthukumaran/> Within the palace grounds is a black marble square, with a carved marble seat which was used to rule a court of justice; it was used during the dynastic period for the crowning ceremony of new kings.<ref name= Muthukumaran/> Another important feature is the "teppakulam", a large masonry tank or reservoir which fronts the palace.<ref name=tamilnadutourism.org>{{cite web|title=Sivagangai|url=http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/citiestowns/Sivagangai.aspx?catid=010133P01|publisher=Tamil Nadu Tourism|accessdate=5 January 2015}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
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[[Category:Houses completed in 1730]]<br />
[[Category:Houses completed in the 19th century]]<br />
[[Category:Palaces in Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Sivaganga district]]</div>imported>Dl2000