Padmanabhapuram Palace

The small village, Padmanabhapuram is originally known as Kalkulam, in Kanyakumari district was once a thriving capital of the powerful Venad Kingdom which later became popular as the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. It was not the first stronghold of the Venad rulers in the South. The nearby Valliyur, Veerakeralaeswaram (also known as Veerakeralapuram), Thiruvithamcode, Charade, Puliyoorkurichi (Udayagiri), and Eraniel still had remnants of settlements, palaces, old fortifications and major temples that predate the foundation of Padmanabhapuram. Today there is no trace of the old palace in Keralapuram and Charade, but the ruins of a palace can still be seen in Eraniel. Kalkulam was probably chosen as an apt place for constructing a palace due to its strategic location and proximity to the rugged mountain ranges of the Western Ghats which provided natural protection to the palace and the settlements. The abundance of fertile farmland and a plentiful supply of water were the major attractions that invited the royals and other settlers to this region.