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Hill Palace Museum
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13 kms. from Cochin, this museum displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Cochin, including the king's throne and crown. Also on display are other trapping of royalty like majestic beds, paintings , carving and samples of epigraphy. Tripunithura is also known for the nearby Chottanikkara Temple and the Tripunithura Temple.
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Jain Temple
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One of the few existing Jain temples in Kerala is the Jain temple at Jainamedu in the Vadakkanthara village on the Western border. With granite walls devoid of any decorations,this temple comprises four divisions and is 32 feet high and 20 feet wide. Legend has it that the temple was built about 500 years ago by a Jain head named Inchanna Satur for the Jain sage, Chandranatha Swamy.
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Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry
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Built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded, and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles are of interest.
No two tiles are alike and are two hundred years old. There are also several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons. Timings: 1000 to 1200 hr. and 1500 to 1700 hr. Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
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Kalpetta
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This city is the headquarters of Wayanad district. The famous Ananthanathaswami Jain Temple is situated at Puliyarmala near Kalpetta. This district is said to have been a strong hold of Jains in the past.
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Kanakakkunnu Palace
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Situated on a hillock in the Museum compound, this beautiful old palace of the Travancore Rajas is a stunning piece of architectural excellence. At night when the palace grounds are lit by garden lamps, the gabled, pagoda style red brick structure comes alive, bringing to mind the royal majesty of the kings who once inhabited its mighty interiors. Inside one can see large crystal chandeliers and exquisite pieces of royal furniture.
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Karumadikkuttan
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Situated 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, this village is known for its 10th century Karumadikkuttan statue, a black granite figure of the great Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. There are many interesting legends connected to this idol.
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Kaviyoor
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Located on the banks of the Manimala river, the Kaviyoor temple and the rock-cut temple nearby are of great archaeological importance. The stone figuress here are considered to be the earliest specimen of stone culture.
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Kondotti
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On the way to Malappuram, 18 km east of Manjeri, is Kondotti a prominent pilgrim centre for Muslims. The Valia Nercha festival at the 500 year old Pazhayangadi Mosque, celebrated for three days in February-march, draw large number of devotees.
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Koyikkal Palace
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Located 18 km from Trivandrum on the way to the Ponmudi hillstation and the Kuttalam waterfalls, this ancient place that dates back to the 15th century, is famous in the history of Kerala as the official residence of Perakom Thavazhi (the maternal lineage), especially of Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and two museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology.
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Krishna Menon Museum
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The Krishna Menon Museum has a section in honour of the great Indian leader V.K.Krishna Menon, wherepersonal belongings of his and souvenirs gifted by this world leader are exhibited.
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Krishnapuram Palace
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The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma. It is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, narrow corridors.
The 'Ganjendra Moksham' Mural which is one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala is seen on the ground floor of the Palace. A museum with antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes is housed inside the building. The Palace is situated 47kms from Alleppey.
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Kuthiramalika
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This palace was built by efficient sculptors from Tanjore. Single stone carved pillars and beautifully designed roofs give more attraction to the palace. On the southern portion of the palace there is a beautiful monument of 122 horses which gets ready to jump towards the south. Thus the palace got the name Kuthiramalika. Swords,guns etc. of olden ages are also exhibited here. 'Dantasimhasana' is the most prominent sight in this palace.
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Mananthavady
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Lies on the Western Ghats of Kerala, South East of Cannanore, at a height of about 500 m. It is historically important as the last resting-place of Pazhassi Raja. He was cremated here with full military honours. The tomb of Pazhassi Raja and the park in his memory are reminders of this great ruler.
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Mannadi
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The ancient Bhagavathy temple here contains some interesting stone sculptures. Mannadi is also the venue of the Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts.
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Mannarasala
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This is situated 32 kms. away from Alleppey, near Haripad. The temple is one of the most important centre of serpent worship in Kerala.The Kerala custom of snake worship reaches a climax at Mannarasala, where there is a sacred grove and a temple dedicated to Nagaraja, king of the snakes.Every house is supposed to have a 'sarpa-kavu' or a snake house with a 'nagakal' or snake stone. Those who cannot maintain one, send their snake stone to Mannarasala. A priest called a Nambiathiry looks after the temple. Childless couples who come to pray there bring an 'urli' as an offering to the priest.
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Maramon
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Kozhencherry is the venue of the great Christian religious convention called 'Maramon Convention'. It is held on the vast sands of the river Pamba. Christians from all over India participate in this convention. Maramon convention is said to be the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia.
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Mattancherry Palace
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Also known as the Dutch Palace. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD, it acquired the present name after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and repairs in the Palace. (At no time did the Portuguese or Dutch stay here). In the centre of the building, is the Coronation Hall where the Cochin Rajas held their coronations. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas. Adjacent rooms contain 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, the Ramayana. Timings: 1000 to 1700 hr. Closed on Fridays and national holidays.
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Napier Museum
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It is an absolute gem of architectural exuberance, combining traditional Kerala styles with good doses of Chinese and Mughal influences. The 19th century English architect, Chisholm, threw in a few touches ended up with a building that is guaranteed to leave you smiling at its electric charm.
The interior is every bit as intriguing as the exterior with pink and bobby blue stripes alternating with stripes of yellow and cherry red, scalloped arches of a banana yellow, elaborately carved balconies, the whole, linked together with red and white lattice work and mock friezes. The collections are as varied and electric as the building and you will spend a pleasant few hours browsing through them. Make sure to have the keeper explain the unique natural air-conditioning system.
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Niranam
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The oldest Christian church, believed to have been built by St. Thomas the apostle, is situated here.
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