Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari

Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari

The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133 feet (40.6 m) tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukural. It is located atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari on the southernmost Coromandel Coast, where two seas and an ocean meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Ocean. Thiruvalluvar Statue is located at about 400m from the shore, on the minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial. It weighs a staggering 7,000 tons. The statue, standing amid the dancing blue waves, creates a lasting impression as it rises high over the rock. This Statue was constructed by then Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi.

History

In 1979, the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai laid the foundation stone for the statue. However, the installation and the sculpting work began on 6 September 1990, on the tiny island adjacent to Vivekananda Rock Memorial when funds were allocated in the 1990-91 budget. Initially, the project stalled but then recommenced in 1997 and was completed on 1 January 2000. At the cost of more than US$1 million (INR 61.4 million), it employed about 150 workers, sculptors, assistants and supervisors. The slight bend around the waist made the design challenging. Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati solved the problem by creating a full-length wooden prototype before construction. Study of this prototype led to the identification of an energy line (known in Vastu as kayamadhyasutra), currently an empty cavity in the center of the statue from top to bottom. Sthapati designed the statue to survive earthquakes of unexpected magnitude.

The stone work was divided amongst three workshops, in Kanyakumari, Ambasamudram and Sholinganallur. Ambasamudram contributed 5,000 tons of stones, while Sholinganallur was quarried for 2,000 tons of high quality granite stones for the outer portion of the statue. While the largest of the 3,681 stones weighed over 15 tons, the majority weighed three to eight tons. An interesting detail is the 19-foot-high face, with the ears, nose, eyes, mouth, forehead all made of individual stones carved by hand. Stumps of palmyra tree and poles of casuarina (ironwood) were used for scaffolding. It took 18,000 casuarina poles tied together with two truckloads of ropes to reach the top of the statue.

The Structure

The statue has a height of 95 feet (29 m) and stands upon a 38-foot (11.5 m) pedestal that represents the 38 chapters of "virtue" in the Thirukural. The statue standing on the pedestal represents "wealth" and "pleasures", signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue. The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukural. It has a total weight of 7000 tons. The statue, with its slight bend around the waist is reminiscent of a dancing pose of the ancient Indian deities like Nataraja.

It was sculpted by the Indian sculptor Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also created the Iraivan Temple. Thiruvalluvar Statue will spark interest in culture aficionados. Within the pedestal, you will find inscribed the 1330 couplets and 133 chapters, which are the works of the Thiruvalluvar. These verses, which have been translated into over 60 languages, are celebrated the world over for their universal wisdom. The pedestal is encircled by a pretty mandapam known as 'Alankara mandapam'.

Around the mandapam are ten imposing stone elephants. These symbolize the ten directions. If you’d like to climb up to the foot of this impressive statue, there are 140 steps inside the mandapam that will lead you there. There were plans to inscribe select couplets from 'Thirukural' on the outer periphery of the pedestal. Its opening ceremony was on 1 January 2000 (Millennium). The monument was hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004.

Statistical Details of the Statue:

Height of the statue	95 ft
Height of the pedestal	38 ft
Height of the face	10 ft
Height of the body parts	30 ft
Height of the legs	20 ft
Length of the forearm	10 ft
Length of the palm leaves	10 ft
Width of the shoulders	30 ft
Length of the matted hair	05 ft
Total weight	7000 tons

 Entry Fee

·        Boat Ride: Rs. 20/-

Contact

Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari

Phone: +91 4652 246276

Connectivity

Thiruvalluvar Statue stands 400 meters from the coastline of Kanyakumari on a small island rock. Ferry service are available from the mainland. The ferry service to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stops for a while at the Thiruvalluvar Statue. There are many ferry services that run between the island and the mainland with minimal charges. The ferry services usually operate from 8 AM to 4 PM. Kanyakumari Town is well connected to major cities by road / rail / air across India. Kanyakumari is located at about 20 Kms from Nagercoil, 13 Kms from Suchindrum, 47 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 33 Kms from Thuckalay, 47 Kms from Marthandam, 100 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 245 Kms from Madurai.

By Road:

Thiruvalluvar Statue is located about 1.5 Kms from Kanyakumari State Transport Corporation Bus Stand. Thiruvalluvar Statue is well connected from Bus Stand by means of Buses, Taxis and Autos. One should avail the ferry services that run between the island and the mainland with minimal charges to reach this place.

By Train:

Thiruvalluvar Statue is located at about 1.3 Kms from Kanyakumari Railway Station. Thiruvalluvar Statue is well connected from Railway Station by means of Buses, Taxis and Autos.

By Air:

Thiruvalluvar Statue is located at about 100 Kms from Trivandrum International Airport and 240 Kms from Madurai International Airport.

Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thuckalay, Kanyakumari

Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thuckalay, Kanyakumari

Padmanabhapuram Palace is a beautiful Travancore era palace located in Padmanabhapuram in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. Though the palace is situated in Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu State, it is administered by the Government of Kerala archaeology department. Padmanabhapuram is the former capital city of the erstwhile Hindu Kingdom of Travancore. The palace is complex inside with an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which forms a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby.

The former ruler of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom, Iravi Pillai Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, started the work of the palace in AD 1601. The structure was renovated by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in 1741, after the Battle of Colachel which he won against the Dutch. The capital of Travancore got shifted from here to Trivandrum in the 18th century. Padmanabhapuram Palace serves as the perfect example of traditional Kerala architecture.

History

Padmanabhapuram Palace was the official dwelling of the rulers of the former State of Travancore. The palace was called Kalkulam Palace and was in the heart of the 186 acre Kalkulam Fort. The palace was constructed around 1601 AD by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Venadu between 1592 and 1609. It is believed that the Thai Kottaram was built in 1550. The founder of modern Travancore, King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1706–1758) who ruled Travancore from 1729 to 1758, rebuilt the palace in around 1750.

He built the Navarathri Mandapa in stone and the Uppirika Malika (the four-storied King’s Quarters) in 1744 CE. King Marthanda Varma dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sree Padmanabha, a form of Lord Vishnu and ruled the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa or servant of Lord Padmanabha. Hence the name Padmanabhapuram or City of Lord Padmanabha. In the late 18th century, precisely in 1795, Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma Kulasekhara Perumal also called Dharma Raja (1758-1798 CE) changed the capital from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram and the place lost its former glory.

However, Padmanabhapuram Palace remained as part of the Travancore royal family’s ancestral property. In 1938, the Government of Travancore declared it a protected monument as per the stipulations of the Ancient Monument Act which was in force then. Latest addition to the palace complex was 'Lakshmi Vilasam' was built around 1940. There is an Antiquity Museum in front of the Palace.

The Palace Complex

The palace complex continues to be one of the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hallmark of traditional Kerala style architecture. The Palace though surrounded entirely by the State of Tamil Nadu is still part of Kerala and the land and Palace belongs to the Government of Kerala. This Palace is maintained by the Government of Kerala Archaeology Department. It’s an absolute must visit destination not just for its architectural beauty. There is a serenity to this palace, a feeling of stepping into the past.

This is famous for its 17th and 18th century murals, carved mahogany ceiling, colored mica windows, four poster medicinal bed, Belgian mirror, granite dance halls and special black shiny floors which are made from a unique combination of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand. There are many places in the palace that are worth seeing. The most popular are the Poomugham (entrance hall), Manthrasala (council hall), Uttupura (dining hall) Thaikottaram (Mother Palace), Manimeda (clock tower), Uppirika Malika (storied building), Indra Vilasom and Natakasala (performance hall).

A secret passage, now blocked, through which the king, his immediate family members, and their entourage could escape to another palace, located several kilometers away in the event of any emergency. A flight of steps leads to a bathing pond, which has lost its freshness due to neglect and years of disuse. Photography is charged here. You would need to do a guided tour of the palace complex as it is massive with a maze of 108 rooms, each having its distinct style, mood and artistic expression. Visitors to the palace are not allowed to enter wearing shoes or slippers to maintain the polish of the floor. The best time to visit the palace is during the months from November till the end of May.

Across from the outer gate is the entrance into the palace. Indra Vilasom is the southern palace. This building stands out because does not adhere to the Kerala style of architecture but is more in line with European architecture. The fort which was built with mud originally was dismantled and reconstructed with granite by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The height of the walls varies from 15’ to 24’ according to the inclination of the ground. The Padmanabhapuram palace is actually a palace complex, containing 14 palaces spread over an area of 6.5 acres. The palace is a unique feature of the ancient Kerala architectural skill.

The building is always cool and quiet. Wood, laterite, burnt bricks, granite and lime were used for construction. A special combination of charcoal from burnt coconut shells, lime, white part of eggs and various vegetable extracts were used for the shining black floors. Traditional oil lamps provide light. The palace is enriched by wood carvings and murals of 17th and 18th century. There is a museum on the southwest corner of the palace where stone inscriptions, wooden and stone sculptures, weapons of the royal family are on display.

The Padmanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures:

·        Manthrasala; the King's Council Chamber

·        Thai Kottaram; the Queen Mother's Palace, constructed before 1550

·        Natakasala; the Performance Hall

·        A four-storeyed mansion at the centre of the complex

·        Thekee Kottaram; the Southern Palace

Entrance Hall:

The entrance to the main edifice is controlled by another ornamental gateway with retainers for watch and ward. The gabled entrance has wooden ceiling profusely ornamented with lotus medallions. The most striking feature of the entrance is the clock-tower (Manimeda) which is one of the oldest in India erected in 1832 A.D. and still continues to be in working order. Manimeda is situated to the north of the "Manthrasala". The weight-driven clock was built by a local blacksmith. Its sound can be heard in a three-km radius.

King’s Council Chamber (Manthrasala):

Manthrasala, or the King's Council Chamber, is the place where the king used to hold consultations with his ministers. King’s Council chamber is the most beautiful part of the entire palace complex. It has windows, with coloured mica, which keep the heat and the dust away, and the interior of the council chamber remains cool and dark. Delicate and beautiful lattice work can be seen all over the council chamber. The floor is also beautifully done, with a fine and perfect finish. The floor is dark and is made of a mixture of varied substances, including burnt coconut shells, egg white and so on.

The remarkable aspect is that this particular floor finish and texture could not be duplicated in any other construction. The "Manthrasala", a room on the first floor of the "Poomugham", is where the King took administrative decisions. The ceiling and "thulangal" (beams) of the room has fine carvings. The room has a single gable (mukhapu) and eleven small windows (kilivathil) with stained glasses. The Chinese style seats are embellished with neat engravings. The King's bedroom has an antique four poster medicinal bed which is fashioned from 64 different medicinal woods.

Dancing Hall (Navarathri Mandapam):

To the west of the Uppirika Mandapa is the Navarathri Mandapa which is a spacious hall of exquisitely beautiful granite pillars with drooping pendants reminiscent of the Nayakar style of architecture. In the Navarathri Mandapa, performances of Bharatha Natya and musical recitals took place in the royal presence.

Queen Mother' Palace (Thai Kottaram):

The oldest structure in the complex is the "Darbhakulangra Kottaram" or "Thaikottaram" built by the Ravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Venadu from AD 1592 to AD 1610. Queen Mother’s palace, designed in traditional Kerala style, is the oldest construction in the entire palace complex and is believed to be constructed around mid-16th century. True to the traditional Kerala style, there is an inner courtyard, called 'nalukettu', with sloping roofs and four pillars that seem to be supporting it. Queen Mother's palace is truly beautiful with wooden ceilings made of rose and teak wood which are exquisitely carved with a dizzying array of 90 floral designs.

Ekantha Mandapam (Chamber of Solitude):

Ekantha Mandapam is known as the 'Chamber of Solitude' and is situated in the southwest corner of the Mother's Palace. The chamber is festooned with elaborate woodcarvings, of which the most beautiful one has meticulous and attractive floral designs. The nalukettu-style structure has an "Ekantha mandapam" (chamber of solitude). Kannithoonu, a pillar carved out of a single wood, has fine engravings. The chamber of solitude has very beautiful and intricate wood carvings of every description all around. Of particular interest is a pillar of single jackfruit wood, with very detailed and beautiful floral designs.

Performance Hall (Nataksala):

This is a relatively new building, constructed at the behest of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, who reigned in Travancore from 1829 to 1846. He was a great connoisseur of arts, especially music and dance. He himself composed music and has left a rich legacy to classical Carnatic music. The Nataksala or the hall of performance has solid granite pillars and gleaming black floor. There is a wooden enclosure, with peepholes, where the women of the royal household used to sit and watch the performance.

Ambari Mukhappu:

Another place worth checking out is the Ambari Mukhappu. This edifice was built for the king and is shaped like the seat that is draped on the elephant’s back (Ambari).

Central Mansion:

The four-storeyed building is located at the centre of the palace complex. The ground floor houses the royal treasury. The first floor houses the King's bedrooms. The ornamental bedstead is made of 64 types of herbal and medicinal woods, and was a gift from the Dutch merchants. Most of the rooms here and in other parts of the palace complex have built-in recesses in walls for storing weapons like swords and daggers. The second floor houses the King's resting and study rooms. Here the King used to spend time during fasting days.

The top floor (called Uppirika malika) served as the worship chamber of the royal household. Its walls are covered with exquisite 18th century murals, depicting scenes from the puranas, and also few scenes from the social life of the Travancore of that time. The top floor was supposed to be Sree Padmanabha Swamy's room. This building was constructed during the reign of King Marthanda Varma. He was also designated as Padmanabha Dasa and used to rule the Travancore kingdom as a servant of Sree Padmanabha Swamy.

Southern Palace (Thekee Kottaram):

The southern palace is as old as the ‘Thai Kottaram’ (Mother's palace), which would make it about 400 years old. Now, it serves as a heritage museum, exhibiting antique household articles and curios. Collections of items give an insight into the social and cultural ethos of that period.

Padmanabhapuram Palace Museum:

The Palace Museum is located on the right of the courtyard before you enter the main gate of the complex. It exhibits furniture, wooden and granite statues, coins, weapons and utensils.

Uttupura:

Adjacent to the Council Chamber and to the south of dancing hall is the dining hall called “Uttupura”, with two floors (the ground and the first) each measuring roughly 78 by 6 metres and it would accommodate about 2000 people at a time. Feeding of about 2000 poor persons, it is said, was done here every day and so the king was called ‘Dharmaraja’.

Operating Hours

The place is less crowded during the monsoon months of June and July. The palace is open to tourists from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Mondays and national holidays.

Fees Structure

Parking Fee: 

·        Two Wheelers: Rs. 2/-

·        Four Wheelers: Rs. 10/-

Still Camera Fee: RS. 25/-

Video Camera Fee: Rs. 1500/-

Entry Fee:

·        Adults: Rs. 25/-

·        Children: Rs. 10/-

·        Foreigners Adult: Rs. 200/-

·        Foreigners Children: Rs. 50/-

Contact

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District

Phone: +91 4651 250255

Connectivity

Padmanabhapuram Palace is located at about 2 Kms from Thuckalay, 3 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 6 Kms from Eraniel, 15 Kms from Nagercoil, 40 Kms from Kanyakumari, 14 Kms from Marthandam, 13 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 21 Kms from Thirparappu, 14 Kms from Colachel and 60 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The Palace is located at about 2 Kms from Thuckalay Bus Stand. Autos and Buses are available from Thuckalay Bus Stand to reach this place. Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.

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