South India Fort and Palaces
KRISHNAPURAM PALACE :::::
About 47 km from Alappuzha at Karthikapalli this palace built by Marthanda Varma has murals dating back to 18th century depicting an episode from the Hindu Mythology, The ‘Gajendra Moksham’. Apart from the exquisite murals which are the largest in Kerala there are antique sculptures ancient paintings and bronzes.

MATTANCHERRY PALACE :::::
Also known as the Dutch Palace this beautiful structure renovated by the Dutch in 1663 was originally built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi. Today it is a ‘Portrait Gallery’ of Kochi Rajas. There are beautiful wall paintings here. Old Dutch maps of Kochi, royal palanquins and other ancient materials add to the attraction.

ST.ANGELO FORT :::::
This wonderful fort on the seaside is a 16th century monument of the Portuguese. Francisco De Almeda the first Portuguese Viceroy to India raised the fort in 1505 AD with the consent of Kolathiri Raja the then ruler of the region. The fort had then been in the possession of the Portuguese the Dutch and the British before it came under the canopy of the ‘Archaeological Survey of India’ lately. Mappila bay fishing harbour is an entertaining sight from the fort.
sTemple, Sri Rama Temple and the Gym.

THALASSERY FORT :::::
The construction of this grand fort which served as the centre of military proceeding for the British dates back to 1708 AD. The tourists to this place also have other attractions around; the tourists to this place also have other attractions around; the Mosque, Jagannatha Temple, Sri Rama Temple and the Gym.

BEKAL FORT :::::
About 16 km on the south of Kasargod stands the magnificent fort with its circular laterite structure about 130 ft. above sea level. This fort overlooking the Arabian Sea was built 300 years ago. Just one kilometre from the fort is the beautiful ‘Pallikere Beach’ from where the fort is an overwhelming sight. The Aqua Park nearby has a variety of thrills to offer like the pedal boats water cycles etc.
The Bekal Tourism Project is on its toes to make the naturally gifted place Bekal one of the finest tourist centres.

KANHANGAD FORT :::::
Also known as Hosdurg fort this enthralling chain of forts suggests Somashekara Nayak of the Ikkery royal dynasty should have been on a fort building spree. The ‘Nithyanandasram’ here is a tranquil spiritual centre of international recognition.

CHANDRAGIRI FORT :::::
This beautiful fort of the 17th century forms an integral part of the chain of magnificent forts built by Sivappa Naik of Bedanore. The fort is the ideal place to admire the glorious Sunset the enchanting river and the endless Arabian Sea. There is a temple nearby in which the festival ‘Pattu Utsavam’ is famous. There is also a mosque. The picturesque islands and inviting palmgroves nearby are piquant spots for the boat cruise. The Chandragiri Bridge forms the boat jetty.

KANAKAKAUNNU PALACE :::::
The palace and its vast grounds provide the stage for many cultural meets and programmers.

KOYIKKAL PALACE-NEDUMANGAD :::::
Situated at the place called Nedumangad 18 kms from the city which is again around half an hour’s drive it is also enroute to the Ponmudi hill station and the Courtallam Waterfalls. This ancient palace dates back to the 15th century. The traditional ‘Nalukettu’ building here is two storeyed with inclined gabled roofs an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the department. ‘The Folklore Museum’ established in 1992 is a treasure house of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements household utensils, models of folk arts, etc.
The Numismatics Museum houses rare and historically valuable coins evidencing the trade relations of the State.

SHAKTHAN THAMPURAN PALACE :::::
Three tombs are visible from this palace which is also known by the name Thoppu Palace which spreads over a vast area of 6 acres.

UDAYAGIRI FORT :::::
This fort built by King Marthanda Varma (1728-1788 A.D) is about 34 kms from Kanyakumari. The fort was popularly known as a foundry for casting guns. The grave of De Lennoy, the Dutch General, one of the most trusted generals, of the king lies within the fort.

THANJVUR PALACE :::::
Not far from the temple and I he heart of the old tower lies the palace with vas labyrinathian buildings,enormous corridors,big halls watch towersmoat fort and courtyards. The place was built by the Nayak rulers around 1550 A.D.and subsequently renovated and enlarged by the Marata rulers of Thanjvur. Though a portion is an ruins, much of it is still in its original beauty. Some government officers are located inside besides an art gallery, a library, the hall of music, he audience hall and even today in a portion lives the resent legal heirs of he Thanjavur Marthas

ROCK MEMORIAL FORT :::::
This is the important landmark of Trichy. It is an 83 metre (237 ft) high rock that is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. This isperhaps the oldest rock in the world as old as the rocks of Greenland. The Himalayas are infant rocks compared to its age. There are fascinating temples with brilliant architecture in it. Thayumanavar temple, Ganesa temple at the top called Uchipillaiar Koil, Twi Pallava cave temples one on the way ti the Pillaiar Koil and th other in the northwest eand of he street aroud the hill. A flight of steps leads to the Thayumanava Swami temple the presinding deity of which is a projection of he rock itself. There are on the whole 437 steps cut into a tunnel through the rock. There is a 100 pillared wall and a vimanam covered with gold in the hayumanavaswami temple. The cave temple inside which is a beautiful carving of Gangadhara. The image must have been the first one fashioned by the Pallavas. From the Uchipillaiar Koil one can have a panoramic view of he ciy all the four sides.

GINGEE FORT :::::
It is about 150 km away from Chennai on the road to Thiruvannmalai. This fort was a stronghold of the Cholas during the 9th century. The Vijayanagar king’s later fort tied and made it an impregnable citadel. This fortified city has been built on seven hills, the most important being Krishnagiri Chandragiri and Rajagiri.

TIPPU’S FORT :::::
This fort was first raised with mud by Kempegowda in 1537. In 1761, Hyder Ali renovated it, making it a sturdy stone structure. Portions of the fort were destroyed during the battle between the British and Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali. And it was repaired by Tipu Sultan later. A temple dedicated to ‘Lord Ganapthy’ can also be seen inside the fort.

BLEGAUM FORT :::::
Situated near the bus terminus at Belgaum is the massive fort which shoots the limelight of the freedom struggle as Mahatma Gandhi was once locked up here by the British. The famous ‘Kamalabasti’ inside the fort was built by Birchiraja, a Rattan officer in 1204. As the name implies there is an attractive lotus carving jutting from the roof. Typical of the ancient forts there is a moat running around this one as well.

 

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