Shakthan Thampuran Palace is in Thrissur City of Kerala state, South India. It is named as Vadakkekara Palace, was reconstructed in Kerala-Dutchstyle in 1795 by Sri. Ramavarma Thampuran of the erstwhile Princely State of Cochin, well as Sakthan Thampuran (Greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty) is preserved by Archaeological Department.
Sakthan Thampuran Palace once belonged to the Perumpadappu Swaroopam, the ruling dynasty of Kochi. This was the centre of power of King Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, who ruled Kochi between AD 1790 and 1805. His rule was regarded as the Golden Era of the Cochin dynasty.
The palace is close to the Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur. It was once known as Vadakkechira Kovilakam and it was the king who renovated it into the present form. The palace keeps with it the historical remnants of some important events like the visit of Tipu Sultan with his army. The palace has a very old Sarpakavu (sacred serpent grove) in its premises.
The palace has been recently renovated by the State Archaeology Department with a few additions like Bronze Gallery where one can find bronze statues belonging to the period between the 12th and the 18th centuries, Sculpture Gallery displaying granite statues from the 9th century to the 17th century, Numismatics Gallery, which systematically displays ancient coins, which were in circulation in the former province of Kochi and neighbouring kingdoms and the History gallery depicting some of the milestones of the Kochi dynasty and the Epigraphy Gallery showcasing the genesis and evolution of ancient writings.[1] Other galleries of interest at the palace include, a Gallery for Household Utensils made of bronze and copper, used by the rulers of Kochi; and a Megalithic Gallery exhibiting remains of the great stone age.[2]
The Sakthan Thampuran palace also has a very ancient Serpent Grove, which is a place for worshipping the serpents. Located on the southern side of the Shakthan Palace is the Heritage Garden, set up recently to exhibit and preserve some of the indigenous varieties of plants and trees of Kerala. The archaeological garden, situated in the northeastern part of the palace, has collections from the Stone Age recovered from the outskirts of Thrissur.
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Coordinates: 10°31′52″N 76°12′59″E / 10.531181°N 76.216259°E
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