Visit the Royal Mattancherry Dutch Palace

Cochin is an enchanting tourist destination of Kerala where tourists come from far and wide. Also known as Kochi, this city is well known for its history, culture, traditions, tea, coffee and spice plantations, palace, beach and backwaters. There is so much to enjoy and experience on Cochin Tour. This beautiful city is popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. It also serves as an important seaport of the country. Located in the Eravikulam district of the state it is a picturesque place where you can enjoy the glory of Mother Nature at its best. Its tea, coffee and spice gardens are among the famous attractions of Cochin which promise to leave you completely mesmerized. On your tour to Cochin do visit the historic and beautiful Mattancherry Palace which is also known as Dutch Palace. Located at a distance of only 10 km from Cochin, this palace is a fascinating attraction. This splendid structure was built by the Portuguese in the year 1555 and was gifted to the erstwhile king of Kochi. Later the Dutch established their supremacy over the kingdom. At that time they renovated the palace and named it as the Dutch Palace in the year 1663. Today when you visit this royal structure you will be mesmerized to see its beautiful interiors, paintings and a variety of things reflecting Hindu art. Visit the Coronation hall on the second floor to treat your eyes with the arresting paintings (frescoes) adorning the walls. These paintings display the scenes from the great Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Another attraction of the Dutch Palace is a special area dedicated to paintings based on the themes of Tretayug ( from Putra Kameshthi Yagya to Rama’s return to Ayodhya after Lanka’s war). These paintings reflect the finest examples of Kerala’s mural paintings having their own unique style. The palace also houses a variety of royal articles such as costumes, palanquin lined with ivory, turbans etc. No wonder a visit to Dutch Palace will transport you back in time to the era of raja-maharajas. Also visit the temple dedicated to ‘Pazhayannu Bhagavati (the Goddess of the Kochi Royal family) inside the palace complex. The shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna are also there in the palace complex.