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{{Short description|Palace in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox building
| name                = Kilimanoor Palace
| image              = Kilimanoor palace,kilimanoor,kerala,india.jpg
| image_size          =
| image_alt          = <!-- or |alt= -->
| image_caption      = Main Palace building
| coordinates        = {{coord|8|45|46|N|76|51|56|E|type:landmark_region:IN-KL|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map        = India Kerala#India
| map_caption        = Location of Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala##Location of Kilimanoor Palace in India
| location_town      = [[Kilimanoor]]
| location_country    = [[India]]
| architectural_style = [[Kerala architecture]]
| address            =
| years_built        =
| groundbreaking_date =
| construction_start_date =
| construction_stop_date =
| topped_out_date    =
| completion_date    = 1753
| opened_date        =
| inauguration_date  =
| relocated_date      =
| renovation_date    =
| closing_date        =
| demolished_date    =
| cost                =
| client              = [[Maharaja]] of [[Travancore]]
| height              =
| material            =
| size                =
| floor_count        =
| floor_area          =
| architect          =
| architecture_firm  =
| parking            =
| public_transit      =
| website            = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| references          =
| footnotes          =
}}
[[File:Archkilimanoor.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to the Kilimanoor Palace or "Arch"]]
[[File:Archkilimanoor.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to the Kilimanoor Palace or "Arch"]]
'''Kilimanoor Palace''' is a palace located in [[Kilimanoor]], in the Indian state of [[Kerala]]. It is the birthplace of painter [[Raja Ravi Varma]] and Raghava Varma, the father of king [[Marthanda Varma]].<ref name="Thrippadidaanam">{{cite book|last1=Mheshwari|first1=S Uma|title=Thrippadidaanam|publisher=Mathrubhumi Books|isbn=978-81-8265-947-6|pages=41–53}}</ref>
'''Kilimanoor Palace''' is a palace located in [[Kilimanoor]], in the Indian state of [[Kerala]]. It is the birthplace of painter [[Raja Ravi Varma]] and Raghava Varma, the father of king [[Marthanda Varma]].<ref name="Thrippadidaanam">{{cite book|last1=Mheshwari|first1=S Uma|title=Thrippadidaanam|publisher=Mathrubhumi Books|isbn=978-81-8265-947-6|pages=41–53}}</ref>


==The Palace==
==The Palace==
The Palace complex covers more than six hectares, and comprises the traditional residential structures of Kerala, like the Nalukettu, small and medium-sized buildings, two ponds, wells and sacred groves (''kaavu'').  
The Palace complex covers more than six hectares, and comprises the traditional residential structures of Kerala, like the Nalukettu, small and medium-sized buildings, three ponds, wells and sacred groves (''kaavu'').
Raja Ravi Varma is said to have built and maintained some of the buildings from the proceeds of his paintings.
 
Families related to the Travancore royal house continue to live here.
Raja Ravi Varma is said to have built and maintained some of the buildings from the proceeds of his paintings. Families related to the Travancore royal house continue to live here.


==History==
==History==
The royal house at Choottayil, [[Kilimanoor]] has a history stretching back more than 300 years, although the oldest buildings are from a much earlier period. However, it was in 1753 that the palace was built in its present form.
The royal house at Choottayil, [[Kilimanoor]] has a history stretching back more than 300 years, although the oldest buildings are from a much earlier period.


===Kilimanoor palace and Travancore royal house===
===Association with the Travancore royal house===


The estate of Kilimanoor originally belonged to a [[Pillai (Kerala title)|Pillai]] ruling chief and was forfeited to Travancore by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The estate comprising several villages was then handed over to the family of the father of the King who had come south from Parappanad in Malabar around 1718. <ref>(See page 4 in Madras Presidency Records, 1915, Supt , Government Press, Madras.) </ref>
In 1705, the son and two daughters of Ittammar Raja of [[Beypore]] Thattarikovilakam, a [[Kolathunadu]] royal house, were adopted into the royal house of [[Venad]]. The Ittammar Raja's sister and her sons, Rama Varma and Raghava Varma, settled in Kilimanoor and married the now-adopted sisters.


In 1705 ([[Malayalam era|ME]] 880) the son and two daughters of Ittammar Raja of [[Beypore]] Thattarikovilakam, a [[Parappanad]] royal house, were adopted into the Royal house of [[Venad]]. Ittammar Raja's sister and her sons, Rama Varma and Raghava Varma, settled in Kilimanoor and married the now adopted sisters. [[Marthanda Varma]], the founder of the Kingdom of [[Travancore]], was the son of Raghava Varma. The nephew<ref>Sister's son. According to the matrilineal system prevalent at that time children born of the female members only belonged to that house.</ref> of Raghava Varma, Ravi Varma Koil Thampuran, married the sister of Marthanda Varma. Their son became known as [[Dharma Raja]] Kartika Thirunnal Rama Varma.
The lands around the present-day palace were a part of an estate which originally belonged to a [[Pillai (Kerala title)|Pillai]] ruling chief. The estate comprised several villages and was handed over to the family of Raghava Varma.<ref>(See page 4 in Madras Presidency Records, 1915, Supt, Government Press, Madras.)</ref> [[Marthanda Varma|Maharaja Marthanda Varma]], the founder of the [[Travancore|Kingdom of Travancore]], was the son of Raghava Varma.


In 1740 when an allied force,<ref>The forces were from Kochi, Thekkumkoor, Deshinganad (present kollam) and Purakkad who had enmity towards Marthanda Varma</ref> led by Dutchman Captain Hockert supporting the Deshinganadu King, attacked Venad, an army from Kilimanoor resisted and then defeated them. Although a small victory, this was the first time an Indian army had defeated a European power. In 1753, in recognition of this feat, Marthanda Varma exempted the areas controlled by the Kilimanoor palace<ref>Most of the area under the present Kilimanoor and ''Pazhayakunnummel'' [[panchayat]]s.</ref> from taxes, and granted them autonomous status.<ref>Although under his kingdom</ref> The present palace complex was built at this time, together with the Ayyappa temple.<ref>The original temple being at ''Nerumkaithakotta'', near Kozhikode</ref> for the family deity, ''Sastha'' or Ayyapan.<ref>It is also said{{by whom|date=November 2012}} Shaastha and Ayyappa are different</ref>
In 1739, after Marthanda Varma ascended the throne, an alliance led by the [[Dutch Malabar|Dutch]] Captain Hockert, was formed between [[Dutch Malabar|Kochi]], [[Thekkumkur|Thekkumkoor]], [[Kollam|Desinganadu]] and [[Purakkad]], due to their shared enmity towards Marthanda Varma. In 1740, this [[Travancore–Dutch War#Initial Dutch successes|allied force attacked Venad]] and an army from Kilimanoor resisted and subsequently defeated them in the [[Battle of Colachel]]. Although a small victory, this was the first time an Indian army had defeated a European power.


[[Velu Thampi Dalawa|Velu Thampi]] [[Dewan|Dalawa]] held meetings at Kilimanoor palace while planning uprisings against the British. He handed over his sword at the palace before going into his final battle against the British, and India's first President, Dr [[Rajendra Prasad]] received this sword from the palace and it was kept in the [[National Museum, New Delhi|National Museum]] in [[Delhi]]. Afterwards the sword was moved to the Napier Museum, Trivandrum.
In 1753, in recognition of this feat, Marthanda Varma exempted the areas controlled by the Kilimanoor Palace, as well as most of the area under the present Kilimanoor and [[Pazhayakunnummel]] panchayats from taxes, and granted them autonomous status. Although the estate had been under his rule earlier, the present palace complex was built in 1753, together with the Ayyappa temple. The original temple was at Nerumkaithakotta, near Kozhikode for the family deity, Sastha or Ayyapan.


[[File:studiorrv.jpg|thumb|right|Birthplace of [[Raja Ravi Varma]] with his studio in the foreground]]
In the early 19th century, [[Velu Thampi Dalawa]] held meetings at Kilimanoor Palace while planning uprisings against the British. In 1809, he handed over his sword at the Palace before going into his final battle against the British. India's first President, [[Rajendra Prasad|Dr Rajendra Prasad]] received this sword from the palace and it was kept in the [[National Museum, New Delhi|National Museum]] in [[Delhi]]. Afterwards the sword was moved to the [[Napier Museum]] in Thiruvananthapuram.[[File:studiorrv.jpg|thumb|right|Birthplace of [[Raja Ravi Varma]] with his studio in the foreground]]


==Personalities==
==Personalities==
*[[Raja Ravi Varma]], painter
*[[Raja Ravi Varma]], painter
*[[Kareendran thampuran]], poet, composer, childhood friend Of [[Swathi Thirunal]]
*[[Kareendran thampuran|Kareendran Thampuran]], poet, composer, childhood friend of [[Swathi Thirunal]]
*[[Raja Raja Varma]], uncle of Raja Ravi Varma.
*[[Raja Raja Varma]], uncle of Raja Ravi Varma.
*[[C. Raja Raja Varma]] Koil Thampuran, painter, brother of [[Raja Ravi Varma]]                   
*[[C. Raja Raja Varma]] Koil Thampuran, painter, brother of [[Raja Ravi Varma]]                   
*Shri. Madhavan Vaidyan   [Kilimanoor Royal Physician]
*Shri. Madhavan Vaidyan, Kilimanoor Royal Physician


==See also==
==See also==
Line 36: Line 78:
==References==
==References==
{{commons category|Kilimanoor Palace}}
{{commons category|Kilimanoor Palace}}
{{more footnotes|date=November 2012}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=November 2012}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110110224042/http://www.swathithirunal.in/rel_kilimanoorpalace.htm Website on Swathi Thirunal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110110224042/http://www.swathithirunal.in/rel_kilimanoorpalace.htm Website on Swathi Thirunal]
*[http://www.keralatourism.org/index.php?zone=4&menu=19&issue=154&cat=8&news=2132065960 Kerala tourism]
*[http://www.keralatourism.org/index.php?zone=4&menu=19&issue=154&cat=8&news=2132065960 Kerala tourism]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115043/http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEH20060420071548 Column in The Sunday Express by Shreekumar Varma]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115043/http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEH20060420071548 Column in The Sunday Express by Shreekumar Varma]
* Sivasankaran Nair K, ''VeNAadinTe pariNamam'' (വെണാടിന്റെ പരിണാമം), in Malayalam,Current Books, 2005.
* Sivasankaran Nair K, ''VeNAadinTe pariNamam'' (വെണാടിന്റെ പരിണാമം), in Malayalam, Current Books, 2005.
* From the Tourist brochure by '' Kilimanoor Kottara Charithra Sangraham'', Kilimanoor Palace.                   
* From the Tourist brochure by '' Kilimanoor Kottara Charithra Sangraham'', Kilimanoor Palace.                   
                         *S.A.V.SMARAKA VAIDHYA SALA,TAZHAVA,KOLLAM[DIST]
                         *S.A.V.SMARAKA VAIDHYA SALA, TAZHAVA, KOLLAM[DIST]


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
<references />
<references />
{{coord missing|Kerala}}


{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}

Latest revision as of 00:56, 23 March 2026


Kilimanoor Palace
Main Palace building
Kilimanoor Palace is located in Kerala
Kilimanoor Palace
Location of Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala
Kilimanoor Palace is located in India
Kilimanoor Palace
Location of Kilimanoor Palace in India
Main Palace building
General information
Architectural styleKerala architecture
Town or cityKilimanoor
CountryIndia
Coordinates8°45′46″N 76°51′56″E / 8.76278°N 76.86556°E / 8.76278; 76.86556
Completed1753
ClientMaharaja of Travancore
Entrance to the Kilimanoor Palace or "Arch"

Kilimanoor Palace is a palace located in Kilimanoor, in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the birthplace of painter Raja Ravi Varma and Raghava Varma, the father of king Marthanda Varma.[1]

The Palace[edit | edit source]

The Palace complex covers more than six hectares, and comprises the traditional residential structures of Kerala, like the Nalukettu, small and medium-sized buildings, three ponds, wells and sacred groves (kaavu).

Raja Ravi Varma is said to have built and maintained some of the buildings from the proceeds of his paintings. Families related to the Travancore royal house continue to live here.

History[edit | edit source]

The royal house at Choottayil, Kilimanoor has a history stretching back more than 300 years, although the oldest buildings are from a much earlier period.

Association with the Travancore royal house[edit | edit source]

In 1705, the son and two daughters of Ittammar Raja of Beypore Thattarikovilakam, a Kolathunadu royal house, were adopted into the royal house of Venad. The Ittammar Raja's sister and her sons, Rama Varma and Raghava Varma, settled in Kilimanoor and married the now-adopted sisters.

The lands around the present-day palace were a part of an estate which originally belonged to a Pillai ruling chief. The estate comprised several villages and was handed over to the family of Raghava Varma.[2] Maharaja Marthanda Varma, the founder of the Kingdom of Travancore, was the son of Raghava Varma.

In 1739, after Marthanda Varma ascended the throne, an alliance led by the Dutch Captain Hockert, was formed between Kochi, Thekkumkoor, Desinganadu and Purakkad, due to their shared enmity towards Marthanda Varma. In 1740, this allied force attacked Venad and an army from Kilimanoor resisted and subsequently defeated them in the Battle of Colachel. Although a small victory, this was the first time an Indian army had defeated a European power.

In 1753, in recognition of this feat, Marthanda Varma exempted the areas controlled by the Kilimanoor Palace, as well as most of the area under the present Kilimanoor and Pazhayakunnummel panchayats from taxes, and granted them autonomous status. Although the estate had been under his rule earlier, the present palace complex was built in 1753, together with the Ayyappa temple. The original temple was at Nerumkaithakotta, near Kozhikode for the family deity, Sastha or Ayyapan.

In the early 19th century, Velu Thampi Dalawa held meetings at Kilimanoor Palace while planning uprisings against the British. In 1809, he handed over his sword at the Palace before going into his final battle against the British. India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad received this sword from the palace and it was kept in the National Museum in Delhi. Afterwards the sword was moved to the Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram.

Birthplace of Raja Ravi Varma with his studio in the foreground

Personalities[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

                       *S.A.V.SMARAKA VAIDHYA SALA, TAZHAVA, KOLLAM[DIST]

Footnotes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Mheshwari, S Uma. Thrippadidaanam. Mathrubhumi Books. pp. 41–53. ISBN 978-81-8265-947-6.
  2. ↑ (See page 4 in Madras Presidency Records, 1915, Supt, Government Press, Madras.)
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