Kilimanoor Palace, Varkala - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 20 km from Varkala, Kilimanoor Palace is a heritage place situated in Kilimanoor near Varkala. It is one of the top heritage places in Kerala, and among the must-visit places near Varkala.

Kilimanoor Palace is the birthplace of celebrated Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma, and Raghava Varma, the father of King Marthanda Varma. The palace is said to be about 300 years old. The estate of Kilimanoor originally belonged to a Pillai ruling chief and was forfeited to Travancore by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. In 1740 when an allied force, led by Dutchman Captain Hockert attacked Venad, an army from Kilimanoor resisted and then defeated them. Although a small victory, this was the first time an Indian army had defeated a European power. In 1753, in recognition of this feat, Marthanda Varma exempted the areas controlled by the Kilimanoor Palace from taxes and granted them autonomous status. The present palace complex was built at this time, together with the Ayyappa temple.

Spreads over 15 acres of land, the Kilimanoor Palace complex comprises several small and medium-sized traditional residential structures of Kerala like the Nalukettu, ponds, wells, and sacred groves. Though the palace complex has some older buildings that were constructed much earlier the palace was finished in the present form in the year 1753. It is here that Raja Ravi Varma first learned the rudiments of painting as a five-year-old, when he started to draw using charcoal, using the palace walls as his canvas. Some portions of this royal building were commissioned by Raja Ravi Varma himself. Families related to the Travancore royal house continue to live here.

The palace is now converted to a museum. The main entrance leads one to the studio, where Raja Ravi Varma used to spend a great deal of time making some of his finest creations. A studio right next to the palace displays the reproduced works of Raja Ravi Varma's famous paintings. The museum is the pride of Kerala state. Visitors will go awe-struck with the beauty of the palace and also by the amazing and exquisite paintings of Raja Ravi Verma. The palace has several artifacts including swords, guns, bone china crockeries, and many more.

Timings: 11.30 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free