Kathakali at Margi inside East Fort

One can watch Kathakali, Koodiyattam or Nangiar Koothu performances at Margi situated near Fort School , Trivandrum. Click on the photo or visit : http://picasaweb.google.com/vihar7/Kathakali# for more images

From Kathakali

Goddess destroying evil

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From Pongala2009

Women performing Karkitaka Vavubali at Shankumugham

From Karkitaka Vavu

Ruined palace of Eraniel -3

Eroded walls of the Eraniel Palace


Nadu mittam - central courtyard - growing bush and fallen beams


Fallen beams


A view through one of the openings

Ruined 500 year old palace at Eraniel, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu

Floral motif on a stone pillar

Staircase to the upper floor

Nadu mittam - Central Courtyard

Verandah

Ruined 500 year old palace at Eraniel - 1

Eraniel is situated about 50 Kms from Trivandrum and 15 Kms from Nagerkoil, in Tamil Nadu. The palace was believed to be built by Marthanada Varma of the Venad Dyansty ( precursor to Travancore) about 500 years ago. After the the consturction of the nearby (5 kms) Padmanabhapuram Palace the capital was shifted there, but Eraniel continued to be a sub capital. The structure is dilapidated and nearly completely ruined due to ignorance, indifference and vandalism. Peridiocally, one hears about restoration plans by different agencies but nothing has happened on the ground. Any further delay will mean complete loss of this piece of heritage.
What a shame!



Entrance to the Palace


The roof and rafters


Royal Bed


Crumbling woodworks

Vegetarian fare in Angamally

Looking for vegetarian fare on highway 47 between Alwaye and Trichur ? Hotel Saravana Bhavan at Angamally (അന്ങമാലി) is the place for you. I do not think it is the 'original' Hotel Saravana Bhavan (சரவணாஸ்) of Madras, but the Ghee roast is a life-line for any hungry vegetarian traveller. More interesting is the signage in the restaurant! (see pics)