Kuthira Malika - Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Trivandrum - Kerala)

After Nedumangadu Koyikkal Kottaram, our next stop was Kuthira Malika aka Puthen Malika.
Kuthira Malika literally means Palace of Horses! Horses??? Where are they??? Here they are...
See that line of horses just below the edge of the roof? There are 122 such carved horses here in Kuthira Malika and thus the name. Apart from the horses, the carvings here are a lot and are exquisite, esp the ceiling!
Another important feature of this palace is the 'Methan Mani' or 'Mesham Mani', which is a huge clock in the exteriors. Make sure you're there in front of the clock when the clock strikes an hour. Why? The clock has a man's face at the centre atop the dial. There are 2 goats on either side of the face. Two conch shells after the goats. Decorative scrolls beneath. The surprise part - the man's face and the goats are animated. As the clock's minute hand strikes 12 every hour, this man opened his mouth and the goats on either sides come and touch him!!! Ok, I know, its not that great now, there have been lots of such animations going on now. But, this clock was made in 1833, more than a century ago! For that era, isn't this incredible!! Best part, it still works!!!
It was the artistic work of one Kulathooran aka Soothran Asari and was made of Mahagony wood, commissioned by the then king of this place Swati Thirunal. The mechanism was from Madraspatnam (the then Tamil Nadu, Andhra together under British Raj), brought over here by John Caldecott
And guess what's just beside Kuthira Malika? The famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple! Remember, it was in news some time back with the fortunes dug out of it??? Well, a few years back when I was there, yes, the crowd of devotees was present, but not the heavy security that's over-whelming today... 

Dedicated to Mom & Pop.

Bhushavali

An ardent traveler by passion. Being an ex - Art History Teacher, my area of interest especially lies in Nature and Heritage. Visited 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites as of June 2022. I've been listed among the Top 7 Women Travel Bloggers of India, Top 50 in UK. I have been interviewed in a couple of TV Shows, Radio Channels and Events as well. Read more about me and read the testimonials of different brands

25 comments:

  1. The second pic is good. What about accommodation in that place? Also places like Karkala near Mangalore have some similar places.

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    1. Thank you for the appreciation! :)
      Trivandrum has excellent and economical accommodation!

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  2. Have heard a lot about this palace. Yet to visit it. Lovely post and photos.


    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

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    1. You must. Its an excellent place. Visit this and Padmanabhaswamy koil together!

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  3. Photos are damn good...but a little more zoom to bring out those details you mention?? I know its asking too much...but still...having gone this far...i am hoping you would take it further..
    Btw...which dslr you use? Jus curious

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    1. Thank you so much. Actually these were taken a few years back with my Nikon slr film camera and I scanned them for this blog. Couldn't zoom more than this with that camera!

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  4. Wonderful shots, great to know this place.

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    1. Thank you Rajesh! You must go here. You'll like the place!

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  5. Beautiful photographs. I have been to this palace in 2006. Still remember the beautifully carved windows on the 1st floor :)

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    1. Oh! Wow. Glad you've been to this place!
      So true! Those wood carvings can never be forgotten!

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  6. Kuthira Malika ws great. We are heading to TVM within the next few hours. Thanks for the lead.

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  7. Now its considering as a precious place.

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  8. Interesting info about that clock and nice pics!

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  9. Welcome to kerala

    Photos and good narration

    thanks

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  10. Kuthira Malika Palace is also famous for another reason. Every year in January there is a music festival in the honour of Raja Swathi Thirunal. Right now it is in progress this year. Well know Carnatic and an odd Hindustani classical musicians come and perform here - free for the music connoisseurs. The icing of the cake is that Prince Rama Varma, himself an accomplished musician and a disciple of Balamurali Krishna, performs here.

    I have seen your website by accident while looking for some links to temples in Pettaivaithalai area. You are amazing in that your interests are diverse - from fashion designing to architecture to blogs on not-so-famous offbeat temples. All the best.

    S.Ravindranath/Coimbatore

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    1. @Ravindranath,
      Yes, I know of the Music Festival as well! Infact I'm named of a carnatic raga in which Swati Tirunal sung. :)
      Thank you so much for your appreciation. Glad you liked my crazy, varied areas of interest! :)
      Do visit often and do comment! It makes my day! :)

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