Kodungalloor Palaces

This circuit includes all the kovilakoms in Kodungalloor area. Kovilakoms are the palaces where members of the royal family of Cranganore lived. The sites covered inthis circuit are Thiruvanchikulam Palace, Palace (at present Paradise Hotel), Puthan Kovilakom, Manjeri Kovilakom, Chirakkal Kovilakom and Kottoyi Kovilakom.

Thiruvanchikulam Palace: This palace is located behind Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple. It is said that the members of the Cranganore royal family stayed here during festival times and when they worshipped Lord Shiva.

Palace (Paradise Hotel) : This palace currently run as a hotel, is located on the Paravur – Kodungalloor road, NH-17. It can be accessed by road from the Shilpi junction.

Puthan Kovilakom : Puthan Kovilakom was the place where the women of the Cranganore royal family stayed, whereas Chirakkal Kovilakom was for the men. Puthan Kovilakom is now being partitioned. The Kovilakom has a large courtyard and the main residential building, water tank, temple and Sarpakavu are within the Kovilakom complex. The Sanskrit University was near the Puthan Kovilakom.

Manjeri Kovilakom: This palace is located behind the Chirakkal Kovilakom. The Manjeri Kovilakom is said to be the palace of the great scholar Kunikuttan Thampuran.

Chirakkal Kovilakom: The Chirakkal Kovilakom has two Nalukettu structures, one larger than the other. The main residential building and two more old buildings, a water tank which is known as Padakulam, the family temple and Sarpakavu are all within the Kovilakom Complex.

Kottoi Kovilakom: Kottoi Kovilakom which is situated close to the famous Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple was the place where the Raja stayed during the festival time. The Kovilakom is a small Nalukettu building. Now, the ground floor is rented out and the Devasam people live on the first floor.