[clevermax]

Originally Posted by Nutty Nair

@Clevermax - Thanks, saw your photo in flickr. Awesome, boss, awesome. We should really meet up to discuss more about photography. Would love to get some tips from you.
Another thing I wanted your opinion, I have some more destinations lined up. You think it would be good to start a separate thread for them as @gadadhar suggested or continue in this thread? Your views in this aspect will be most welcome.
Ranjith
EDIT: Just now realised I have reached century posts!

Sure man, may be next quick meet at Tvm! I think you should continue on the same thread. There are lots of pictures and even using a broadband connection, it takes a while to load all the images. May be you should filter out some shots and post only the keepers/better ones!

And many thanks for the appreciation!

[Nutty Nair]

@Iluvcars - Thank you, Sir! No, I didn't miss Padmanabhapuram Palace. That and a few other destinations are still to be updated.

@hvkumar - Kumar Saab,Thank you for the response. Now to answer your query.
Coming from Poovar Bus Stand, after exactly 6 kms you reach Kochupalli. There is a blue church in Kochupalli on the left side while coming from Poovar after which you have to take the first left. The road goes to Adimalathurai beach. Distance will be 2.5 kms to the beach from Kochupalli.
To reach Aazhimalai from Kochupalli, go straight to Pulinkudi (distance is 5.5 kms from Kochupalli). There is a big arch for the Shiva temple on the left side of the road, take this left & go straight for about 1/2 kms, you will reach Aazhimalai. There is a path along the side of the temple through where you can reach the beach. ( I had wrongly said in my earlier post that there is no beach here. Boy, was I wrong! There is a very neat & beautiful beach here). I am giving below the details of the route from East Fort to Poovar.

East Fort - Thiruvallam - Kovalam Jn. - Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium - Vizhinjam Jn - Mukkola - Pulinkudi - Chappath Bridge - Kochuppalli - Poovar

From East Fort to Thiruvallam, it is a straight road. At Thiruvallam, take the bye pass to the right after the bridge. It is a straight road upto Kovalam Jn. - From here the road forks into two - the right goes to Kovalam & the left goes to Vizhinjam. Take the left, after 1.3 kms, you can see the Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium on the right side of the road - from here it is around 2.5 kms to Mukkola Jn - Take the right from here. From here it is around 3.5 kms to Pulinkudi. (For going to Aazhimala, you have to take the road on the right side under the arch). For going to Poovar, continue straight from Pulinkudi. After 1.8 kms, there is the Chappath Bridge. After Chappath bridge comes Kochupalli. (For going to Adimalathurai beach, take the right from Kochupalli). From Kochupalli to Poovar, it is a straight 6 kms without any deviation. Hope this is useful to you.
As to your last query, yes, I have done both Neyyar & Peppara. Thoda sabr keejiye, Sir! This thread is still young. I am trying to update the thread with some relatively unknown destinations different from the usual touristy fare. More destinations are in the pipeline.
Kolachal Beach is close to Muttom Beach, I think. Kappil is also on the agenda.

@muralisk, @Ramsagar - Thanks for the appreciation.

@clevermax - Thanks for the suggestion. I have decided to update this thread itself. Err.. I think I went a "little" overboard with the Light house pictures. Will take care in future posts.
Ranjith

[Iluvcars]

You're welcome Nutty Nair! If you're gonna update, may I suggest you to include Udayagiri kotah and Thripparappu waterfalls as well, if you could? No prizes for guessing that I'm from that neck of the woods

[Nutty Nair]

@Iluvcars - your wish is my command! Udayagiri kottah, Thriparappu, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Vattakottai... There are many more lovely beaches & places out there in that region. Just give me some time and I will keep on adding these locations here one by one.
Ranjith
PS: You come from one of my favourite parts of the country.

[Nutty Nair]

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace is located around 50 kms from Trivandrum on the Kanyakumari route near Thuckalay. It was the capital of Travancore till the late 18th century when it was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. Although the palace is in Tamilnadu, it is owned & maintained by Kerala state. More on Padmanabhapuram Palace in Padmanabhapuram Palace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The palace is open from 9 AM to 4.30 PM.

On the way from Trivandrum to PP




The Palace




Polished stone cot meant for use in hot climate


Wooden chair


Hanging Lamp (Thookuvilakku)


The roof at the entrance. No two carvings in this roof are similar.








The Onavillu, which is presented to the King by the chieftains.


The Mantrasala (Council Chamber)




Close up shot of the Kilivaathil (it is a small window with coloured mica)


Place for chieftains




The Oottupura (Dining Hall)




The Chinese jars used for storing pickles


Thai Kottaram, which was under renovation, so entry was not allowed into the place. So an outside view of the Kottaram. This is the oldest structure in the entire palace complex believed to be constructed around mid 16th century.




The single wood pillar made out of Jack fruit tree in the ekanta mandapam (chamber of solitude in Thai kottaram).


Uppirikka Malika


Belgian mirror in Uppirikka malika


Some of the mural paintings in the malika




The Queen Mother's sleeping chamber


The white motifs are done in ivory




Pics continued in the next post..

[hvkumar]

That was a superb tour of Padmanabhapuram Palace!
How many kms off NH47 inside from Thuckalay?

[Nutty Nair]

Wow! Kumar Saab, That was quick. From Thuckalay it is very near. I think less than 10 kms. And the tour is not yet over
Ranjith

[pramodkumar]

Originally Posted by Nutty Nair

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Its been a long time i have visited this thread, nice snaps. How about that list of places around ?

Originally Posted by hvkumar

That was a superb tour of Padmanabhapuram Palace!
How many kms off NH47 inside from Thuckalay?

2-3 Not more than that.

Pramod

[Nutty Nair]

Pramod, it's been some time since I uploaded new destinations. And the list is also shaping up. Will put it up once I have completed updating it.
Ranjith

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by Nutty Nair

Attachment 263157

I like the second picture. Will PP it and post here.

[Nutty Nair]

More ivory work


Don't think any caption is needed for this!


An outside peek




Exquisite carvings even in the beams


Armoury & Watch tower






Ambari Mukhappu










Look at the floor finish even now!




Indra Vilasom






The pond, which is in a sad condition now due to neglect.




Part of the royal kitchen


More renovation work going on (must be finished by now)








Navarathri Mandapam










Contd in next post.

[Nutty Nair]

Stone idols placed adjacent to the Navarathri Mandapam








Some exquisite wood work


The clock tower & the 300 year old clock which is still functional




Thekke Kottaram (Southern Palace) which serves as a heritage museum today


Stone sculptures displayed in the museum
















Silhouettes






Stone inscriptions








Swords


One of the reasons why crime was rare in those times


Spears


Dutch guns




Daggers


Contd..

[Iluvcars]

Originally Posted by Nutty Nair

Wow! Kumar Saab, That was quick. From Thuckalay it is very near. I think less than 10 kms. And the tour is not yet over
Ranjith

@Nutty_Nair: Superb write-up and nice photos. May I correct that the distance from Thuckalay to Padmanabhapuram is about 2 - 3 KMs?

[Bigzero]

This is one helluva terrific thread! As Usha Uthup says, "Ente Keralam, Ethra Sundaram!"

Great pics, and great info! I havent been to TVM in ages, and am not very familiar with various places in the area - this thread is a great help! I hope I am able to make a trip some time!

recommended for 5 stars!

[foby.sebastian]

Those were real beautiful snaps nutty !!