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Padmanabhapuram Palace at Thuckalay, about 35–40 km north-west of Kanyakumari on the road to Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Kerala wooden architecture. It was the seat of the rulers of Venad, later Travancore, before the capital moved to Thiruvananthapuram. Inside you walk through a maze of polished floors, carved ceilings, latticed windows and quiet courtyards.
There is a curious twist: the palace lies in Tamil Nadu but belongs to Kerala. When state boundaries were redrawn on linguistic lines in 1956, the Kanyakumari area went to Tamil Nadu, but the palace stayed under the Kerala government. It is maintained by the Kerala State Department of Archaeology and is on India’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
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History
The earliest parts of the palace are believed to date from around 1601, built under Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal. Around 1750 Marthanda Varma, the founder of the Travancore state, rebuilt and enlarged it and dedicated his kingdom to Sree Padmanabha, the family deity, which gave the palace and the town their name. The palace stands inside the old Padmanabhapuram fort, whose walls enclose a large area around it.
In 1795 the capital moved to Thiruvananthapuram and the palace slowly lost its importance. It was converted into a museum in the 1930s.
What to see
- Poomukha Malika (entrance hall): the gabled front building with richly carved wooden ceilings, beams and brackets.
- Mantrasala (council chamber): the king’s council room, with polished black floors and carved woodwork.
- Thai Kottaram (Mother’s Palace): the oldest part of the complex, built around a small courtyard in the traditional nalukettu style.
- Uppirikka Malika: a three-storeyed building from 1745 whose upper rooms hold a famous cot said to be made from 64 kinds of medicinal wood, along with 17th–18th-century murals.
- Uttupura (dining hall): a long hall said to have seated around 2,000 people for meals.
- Navaratri Mandapam: a stone hall with ornately carved monolithic pillars, in a style closer to Vijayanagara and Tamil temple architecture than the wooden buildings around it.
- Clock tower: the tower near the entrance, erected in 1832, still has a working clock with Roman numerals.
- Collections: around the palace you will see old Chinese jars, traditional weapons and carved wooden panels with scenes from the Puranas.
Timings, tickets and the Monday closure
According to the official palace website, at the time of writing the palace is open from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2 PM to 4:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays and on a list of public holidays such as Republic Day, Independence Day, Onam (Thiruvonam), Deepavali and Gandhi Jayanti. Tickets cost about ₹50 for Indian adults, ₹10 for Indian children, ₹500 for foreign adults and ₹100 for foreign children, with extra charges for cameras. Check the official website before you go.
Tips for your visit
- Never plan it on a Monday. Many travellers drive out from Kanyakumari only to find the gates shut.
- Footwear: be ready to leave shoes outside the wooden halls; socks help on hot days.
- Go early: the palace is popular with school groups and weekend crowds, and the narrow corridors fill up by late morning. Arrive well before the 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM closing times.
- Watch your head: some doorways and staircases are low and steep.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Kanyakumari is about 577 km from Pondicherry, so this is part of a longer southern tour. The palace fits neatly on the drive between Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram, or as a half-day trip from Kanyakumari after sunrise at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Our Madurai, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari tour can include it on a day other than Monday, by car with driver; for more palaces and forts, see our Tamil Nadu forts and palaces tour. See also our heritage and forts page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Padmanabhapuram Palace open on Monday?
No. At the time of writing the palace is closed every Monday and on several public holidays. Check the official website before you go.
What are the Padmanabhapuram Palace timings?
At the time of writing, 9 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday.
Why is Padmanabhapuram Palace in Tamil Nadu but owned by Kerala?
It was the palace of the Travancore kings. When the Kanyakumari area joined Tamil Nadu in 1956, the palace remained with the Kerala government, whose archaeology department maintains it.
How far is Padmanabhapuram Palace from Kanyakumari?
About 35–40 km (around 15 km beyond Nagercoil), roughly an hour by car on the road towards Thiruvananthapuram.
What is the entry fee for Padmanabhapuram Palace?
At the time of writing about ₹50 for Indian adults and ₹500 for foreign adults, with lower rates for children and extra camera fees.
