Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace complex is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort, close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil, and about 50 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The palace complex is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby.The palace is administered by the Government of Kerala archeology department.

The palace was constructed around 1601 A.D by Iravipillai Iravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Travancore between 1592 A.D. and 1609 A.D. In the late 18th century, the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Thiruvananthapuram, and the place lost its former glory. However, the palace complex continue to be the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hall mark of traditional Kerala style building art. The Padamanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures:

• Mantrasala, literal meaning, King's Council Chamber
• Thai Kottaram, literal meaning, Mother's Palace - believed to have been constructed before 1550
• Nataksala, literal meaning, the Hall of Performance, or of Performing Arts
• A four-storeyed building at the centre of the Palace complex
• Thekee Kottaram, literal meaning, the Southern Palace.

How To Get There:

Frequent buses run from Thiruvananthapuram's Thampnoor bus stand for Padmanabhampuram. Best way is to board any bus for Nagercoil or Kanyakumari and alight at Thakkaly.

Padmanabhapuram is 65 km south-east of Tiruvananthapuram. One can either take local buses and or avail of the Kanyakumari tours organised by KTDC.

General Information

Location:54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Speciality: Wooden Palace.

Timings: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Useful Information:Closed On Mondays

Kerala Honeymoon Holidays – Marvelous Destinations

Kerala, also known as God’s Own Country, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and world. It attracts tourists from different parts of the world. Due to superb nature beauty and peaceful ambiance, Kerala has also been emerged as a beautiful honeymoon destination. There are many picturesque locations in this beautiful Indian state which can be choices of honeymooning couples. Have a look at some marvelous destinations which are very popular among newlyweds or honeymooning couples in Kerala, God’s Own Country.

Kovalam – Kovalam is an internationally famous beach town located in Kerala. In fact, Kovalam is the combination of three semi-circular beaches called Light House beach, Hawah beach and Samudra beach. Beaches of Kovalam with swallow water are ideal for safe swimming and bathing. Today, Kovalam has been one of the finest beach resorts in the world with excellent tourist facilities which includes sightseeing, activities and accommodation. Sunbathing, swimming, sunset watching, sunrise watching, leisure walk, boat cruise, Ayurvedic body massage, water sports, etc are enjoyable activities you can savor while your are in Kovalam for your honeymooning vacation.

Kochi – Formerly known Cochin, Kochi is one of the most important cities and tourist destinations in Kerala. It is the economical and commercial capital of the state. It is popular among tourists and vacations with great tourism opportunity and excellent tourist accommodation facilities. Kochi is very popular among honeymooning couples with great tourism opportunity and lots of attractions. Key attractions in Kochi are beaches, backwaters, islands, historical sties, religious sites, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Churches, Bolghatty Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets, colonial homes, temples, etc. Kochi provides honeymooners many activities to enjoy such as sightseeing, beach expedition, backwater cruise, sunset viewing from Chinese fishing nets, cultural programs, etc. Indeed, Kochi can be one of the most marvelous destinations for honeymoon in Kerala, God’s Own Country.

Munnar – Munnar is a picturesque hill station in Kerala. Due to superb nature beauty and truly amiable ambiance, it is often described as the “Kashmir of South”. It is very ideal destination for Kerala honeymoon holidays as it provides truly right and sheer romantic ambiance for honeymooners. Refreshing air filled with aroma of lush green tea plantation create romantic ambiance for newlyweds. Munnar draws a number of honeymooners from all over the world thanks to fantastic nature beauty and agreeable romantic ambiance.

Alleppey – Alleppey is one of the most preferred destinations for honeymoon vacation on your Kerala tours. It is popular among honeymooners with serene & scenic backwaters and luxury houseboat stay. Cruising over breathtakingly beautiful backwaters by a luxury houseboat is a unique lifetime experience.

Thekkady – Located in the Western Ghats, Thekkady is very popular among honeymooners with lush beauty of jungle, landscape and picturesque lake. The Periyar National Park and the Periyar Lake are highlights of Thekkady, Kerala tours and travels.

Kumarakom, Trivandrum, Kollam, Varkala, Mararikulam, Cherai, Wayanad, etc are some other popular tourist destinations in the state. You can include these destinations in the itinerary of your Kerala honeymoon package tours.

Houseboats become USP of tourist hotspot Kerala

As northern India sizzles in scorching summer, most of those bit by the travel bug are making a beeline for tourist spots Kerala.

With its fleet of black-hulled houseboats, the backwaters of Kerala entice the tourists, both domestic and international, to 'God's Own Country'.

Most of the domestic tourists arriving in Kerala are from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal.

"We are from Punjab. We have chosen this destination, as backwaters are a different kind of experience. All the other tourists generally go to the higher altitudes and all other places but we want to have a soothing experience and we are really looking forward to the backwaters of Kerala," said Vikram Singh, a tourist.

A typical backwater cruise takes tourists on a 40-km journey through the Vembanad Lake, India's longest, which is spread over 1,512 sq km.

The cruises have packages tailored for all budgets with a one-night cruise costing from Rs 3,000-25,000 as houseboats now come equipped with power showers in bio-toilets, LCD television sets, air-conditioners, AC-fitted lounges and even jacuzzis. They even have chefs onboard to prepare some of Kerala's culinary specials.

Tour operators say the period from April to September is a good time to attract domestic tourists when there is a lull in international arrivals.

"Actually the foreign tourists are coming in the months of December, January and February. And the rates will be very comfortable in April and May also. It will not be that high and it will be affordable for the domestic people also. After the examinations (are over), people come in large numbers to have a nice day in our houseboats, to see the serene beauty of the backwaters which is unique," said Abhilash Sreekumar, proprietor of Aria Holidays, a houseboat cruise operator.

Meanwhile, the state Tourism Department authorities have decided to extend the experience of these floating hotels beyond Alleppey, and plans to give licenses for operating houseboats in Ashtamudi Lake in nearby Kollam district as well.

Authorities are creating new landing points and also developing new backwater circuits in other districts. More houseboats are being constructed.

"It has been structured as luxury resorts or luxury segment properties. And a typical houseboat cruise starts during the day, move along the backwaters to see the village community life, spend the night there and wake up to the early morning sun in the houseboat itself," said M Sivasankar, Director, Kerala Tourism Department in provincial capital Thiruvananthapuram.

In 2008, Kerala witnessed 7.6 million domestic tourist arrivals, showing a growth of 14.28 per cent from the previous year.