KERALA MONUMENTS

Bekkal fort
In the quite margins of Kerala, diversity is as monotonous as salted nuts on Indian roads. The sea-kissed forts amidst the wind-caressed palms and embracing beaches, calm lagoons and patches of red earth offers every tourist a mosaic painted by God himself. The forts, which were once a hooligan of the sprawling dominions, now stand in silent testimony to the bygone glory. Kerala had always been a hub for extreme political activity in the past and has witnessed the invasion of stalwart foreign powers, due to its strategic location beside the Arabian sea. The impressive forts such as the St.Angelo's Fort, Bekal Fort, Palakkad Fort built by these colonial powers speak volumes about the foreign influence on its society and culture. As you walk beside the tall thick walls - covered with moss and lichens - listen to the tales of secret passageways hidden within the Bekal Fort, for armies to take refuge and of royal lovers finding their way of love out there. Visit the Palakkad Fort, situated in the heart of the town, its sober solitude reminds every visitor of the old tales of chivalry and courage of Hyder Ali, Sultan of Mysore who constructed it in 1766.

Arackal Palace & Kannur Fort
The Arackal Palace is the sole Royal household of Muslims in Kerala.It is located at Kannur. The Arackkal Family was known as Arackkal Beevi,who could also be invested with sovereignity if she happened to be older than the senior male member of the family. The fort built by the Portugese stands nearby.

Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam, 47 km from Alappuzha. Visiting hours : 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on all days except Mondays . The Krishnapuram Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture - complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. Residence of the rulers of Kayamkulam kingdom, the age of the palace is unknown.

Jewish Synagogue
The Jewish Synagogue in Kochi was built in 1568 AD. Located at Mattancherry, the Synanogue still has the scrolls of Old Testament and a number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script are preserved in this Synagogue. This synagogue stands out as a testimony of communal harmony in the state for centuries.

It's the oldest Synagogue in the common wealth countries , which recorded the grants of privilege, bequeathed by the Kochi rulers.

Rebuilt by Dutch after having been partially destroyed in the war of 1662 AD, the exquisite hand painted blue Chinese tiles offer an interesting sight. In mid-18th century, the clock tower was added.

Not one of the nearly two hundred year old tiles resembles another. There are several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synanogue by the various patrons.

Timings :
The Synagogue is open from 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm on all days except Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

Fort Kochi
About 13 km from Ernakulam town.
The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European township in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.

Vasco da Gama Square
Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala, the last port of Vasco Da Gama, where you will find synagogues, mosques, churches and temples side by side, is a place with a fascinating history. The huge cantilevered fishing net, the Chinese fishing nets, seen here is a legacy of its spellbinding past.

Mattancherry Palace
Mattancherry, 10 km from Ernakulam. Visiting hours : 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Fridays. Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi temple in the central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala style mansion - the Nalukettu - the home of the aristocracy, nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard.

Bolghatty Island
This lush, lovely island is famous for its palace of the same name. The Bolghatty Palace, built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British, is today a popular hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

The Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura
10 km from Ernakulam town, central Kerala. Visiting hours : 9.00 to 12.30 hrs. and 14.00 to 16.30 hrs. The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the trational architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. On display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).

Padmanabhapuram Palace
The Padmanabhapuram Palace , situated 54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu is the magnificent wooden palace, of the 16th century Travancore rulers.

An enticing place for any lover of art and architecture, the antique interiors of the palace are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured décor. The visitor is often overwhelmed by the royal splendour of erstwhile Travancore.

Travancore, which was a princely state for over 400 years, included a large part of present-day Kerala and the western part of Tamil Nadu. Though the palace is now in the State of Tamil Nadu, it was once the traditional home of the royal family of Travancore, so it is maintained by the Government of Kerala.

The palace is one of the best examples of the traditional wooden architecture of Kerala. The Padmanabhapuram Palace is a well-preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional architecture of Kerala.

The extraordinary Murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the test of time. Some fascinating 18th century Murals can be seen in the puja room on the upper floors of this palace.

Cheraman Juma Masjid
Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungalloor is the first mosque in India. It was built in 629 A.D. and resembles a temple in appearance. It is situated. This was rebuilt recently.

Nedumangad Palace
This 18th century palace known as Koikkal Kottaram is situated about fourteen Kms from Thiruvananthapuram at Nedumangad.The palace today houses a folklore museum and a numismatic museum as well.