Kerala: Valiya Pandinjare Kovilakam gets news lease of life

TRIPUNITHURA: Valiya Padinjare Kovilakam, a heritage palace that was facing the threat of demolition, has been given a fresh lease of life. The art and heritage commission has sent a letter to Tripunithura municipal secretary to ensure the safety of the Kovilakam and has prevented anyone from demolishing or renovating the structure without its permission.The commission has also asked the municipality to inform about this to the current Kovilakam owners as well.
The palace, facing the Iron Bridge, has been an exception, managing to survive though several other palaces owned by the Kochi royal family have crumbled with high-rises coming up in their places.
Recently, an appeal filed by a Tripunithura resident to the archaeological department, turned out to be a blessing for the palace. "As per the appeal, the archaeological department conducted a survey and the report was forwarded to the art and heritage commission," said E Dineshan, director, archaeological department. The Kovilakam is now owned by nine members of the Padinjaare Kovilakam.
It was Manku Thampuran, the eldest cousin of Shakthan Thampuran, who shifted to the Valiya Padinjaare Kovilakam in the early 1840s. "The Kovilakam initially had only a ground floor," said Prabhavathi Thampuran of Valiya Padinjaare Kovilakam, recounting the memories shared by her great grand-mother.When Manku Thampuran's son became the Kochi king in 1864, a second-floor was added to it..