| Lakshmipuram Palace ലക്ഷ്മീപുരം കൊട്ടാരം | |
|---|---|
Flag of Travancore
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  Location within Kerala | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Eattukettu Architecture of Kerala Dravidiyan Style |
| Town or city | Puzhavathu, ChanganasseryinKottayam district |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 9°26′24″N 76°32′09″E / 9.4400806°N 76.5358626°E / 9.4400806; 76.5358626 |
| Construction started | 1810 |
| Completed | 1811 |
| Client | Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Laterite stone, rubble, teak wood |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Engineer of Travancore |
Lakshmipuram Palace (Malayalam: ലക്ഷ്മീപുരം കൊട്ടാരം) is the royal palace of the Parappanad royal familiesatChanganassery. Palace is located at Puzhavathu near to Kavil Bhagavathy Temple.[1] The Lakshmipuram Palace was built in 1811 AD by Travancore ruler Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi (1791–1815) on behalf of the family of her husband Raja Raja Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran.[2] Until then, the royal family at the Neerazhi Palace in Changanacherry had been moved to newly built Lakshmipuram Palace.[3] It was the seat of the royal family of Koi thampurans and has produced many illustrious writers such as Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran, Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran and A. R. Raja Raja Varma. Noted Malayalam singer and classical musician L. P. R. Varma also hails from this palace.
In the late 18th century, after the invasion of Malabar by Hyder Ali, Kunjikutty Thamburatty of the Aliyakode swarupam (Parappanad swarupam) branch took refuge with his five daughters in Travancore in the period of Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma. The then Maharaja Travancore gave the Neerazhi Palace belonged to the Thekkumkur dynasty. Later, the elder daughters of Kunjikutty Thampuratty built their own palaces in Thiruvalla and Pallam. The youngest daughter, Injaniamma settled down in Changanassery at Neerazhi Palace. Koyil Thampuran was the title of the Prince consorts of the Queens and Princesses of Travancore royal family. The Koyil Thampuran gained prominence and prestige in Kingdom of Travancore as they were the fathers of the then reigning Kings[citation needed]. Who settled in the Neerazhi Palace from the Parappanad dynasty was one of the ancient clan of Koil Thampuran.[6] Injaniamma's grandson was Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran, who married Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore. In 1811, under the direction of Maharani Lakshmi Bai, a new palace was constructed in Changanassery for her husband's family. This was later known as the Lakshmipuram Palace. The son of this couple is the Maharaja Swati Thirunal, a famous musician and lyricist who ruled Travancore from 1828 to 1846.[7]
