ABOUT

The Shakthan Thampuran Palace is a famous historical building of the erstwhile Maharaja of Cochin, King Rama Varma Shakthan Thampuran, who is also the founder of Thrissur town. The palace holds historic, cultural, and architectural importance and is converted into a heritage museum to give tourists a traditional tour of Kerala.The Sakthan Thampuran Palace, earlier known as Vadakkechira Kovilakam, was originally belonged to the Perumpadappu Swaroopan dynasty, the ruling dynasty of Kochi for a very long time. After the King Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran came into power, he renovated the entire structure of the palace and gave it his name. He ruled from 1790 to 1805 and it is said that his rule was the golden era for Cochin Dynasty, as there were not many major battles during his reign. Also, he emerged victorious in almost all the battles he fought. Spread over an area of six acres, the Shakthan Thampuran Palace offers a blend of traditional Kerala and Dutch style of architecture. It has amazing galleries and rooms, with a collection of excavated megalithic material of Kerala and other treasures, that tells the legacy of its residents. There are three tombs in the palace, including the tomb of Shakthan Thampuran and a flagpole dating back to 1827. The other well-preserved materials and galleries found here includes ancient coins, royal bedroom, royal kitchen, utensils, weapons, bronzes, stamps, and many more. The Shaktharan Thampuran Palace, which is now conserved by Archaeological Department, also has a snake temple inside the complex and a Botanical Garden, established by an Army Major. The garden has many indigenous and exotic collection of plants, along with many medicinal trees and herbs. The palace keeps with it the historical remnants of some important events like the visit of Tipu Sultan with his army. The last member of the royal family to reside here was Rama Varma Bharathan Thampuran, a grand nephew of Chowwarayil Theepetta Veliyathampuran. The palace has a very old Sarpakavu (sacred serpent grove) in its premises.