Thevally Palace, Royal residence in Kollam, India
Thevally Palace is a royal residence in Kollam that stretches along the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, featuring laterite stone walls, lime plaster finishes, and sloping roofs. The complex displays typical palace architecture with the integration of European influences from multiple colonial periods.
This palace was built between 1811 and 1819 during Gowri Parvati Bayi's reign and served as a meeting place between Travancore rulers and British officials. Its strategic location and purpose made it a center of diplomatic contact during the British colonial period in Kerala.
The architecture blends British, Dutch, and Portuguese design elements, with a temple dedicated to Lord Sastha located on the grounds that visitors can explore today.
The grounds now house the NCC Group Headquarters for Kollam district, which may limit visitor access or require prior permission. It is advisable to check beforehand whether a visit is possible before heading to the location.
A monument on the grounds commemorates a dog that once helped relay messages between a British resident and a palace inhabitant during colonial times. This unusual story reveals how creative communication solutions were sometimes needed in that era.
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