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Sivaganga Palace-Historical Monuments

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Sivaganga Palace
About:
The Sivaganga palace, also called “Gowri Vilasam”, is situated in the Sivaganga district about 40 km from Madurai. It was once the seat of Marava kings. At present the palace is in dilapidated condition but the architectural beauty can still be appreciated. The architectural style of the palace reflects elements borrowed from the Thirumalai Nayak’s period and infused with Rajputana arts. Inside the Palace The Temple of Sri Raja Rajeshwari.It is built in the year of 1730s.At the Gowri Vilasam, the only portion intact is the temple of Sri Raja Rajeshwari, the family deity of the royalty. The temple is open for the public in the evenings and on auspicious days. Otherwise, public are not allowed within the palace limits.

South of the temple is a huge hall supported with numerous pillars. All the functions of the royal household are said to have taken place there. But now the hall remains locked. In the front façade of the palace lies a palanquin in a dilapidated condition. Another interesting feature in the palace is a miniature swimming pool called “Nadai Kinaru”. The tank is said to have direct connections to provide it with fresh water and provisions to fill two huge tanks beside the tank. This was meant mainly for the women of the royal family. In front of it is an architectural splendor, in a shambles. Paintings on the dome and sides in natural colours are still intact.
Location info:
Address:Sivaganga, ,Tamil nadu India
District: Sivaganga
Nearest City: Sivaganga
Best time to visit: September-March
Climate/Weather:
The summer months are very uncomfortable with May being the hottest month. Temperatures reach as high as 38º Celsius in May.The monsoon season in Madurai stretches from September to November. During this period the city of Madurai is susceptible to heavy torrential rains.Summer: 37.5°C -26.3°C, Winter: 29.6°C – 20.9°C
History:
The Kingdom of Ramnad originally comprised the territories of Ramnad, Sivaganga and Pudukottai of today. Regunatha Sethupathy alias Kilavan Sethupathy, the 7th King of Ramnad reigned between 1674 and 1710. Kilavan Sethupathy, came to know of the bravery and valour of Peria Oodayan of Nalukottai, 4 Kilometres from Sholapuram near Sivaganga.The Sivaganga Palace, an architectural splendour which witnessed many a war won and lost by the Marava Kings since 1730s, is now in ruins. Situated in the heart of Sivagangai, the head quarter of Pasumpon Muthuramalingam district, the palace has lost all its pomp and pageantry and if left uncared for, the remaining portions too would crumble down.Called `Gowri Vilasam’, the palace built in the architectural style of Thirumalai Nayak’s period and adorned with Rajaputna arts continues to be under destruction.The only part of the palace which still is intact is the compound wall, 18 ft high and 5 ft wide, called `Grand Wall’. But now, a portion of it has been demolished for the construction of shops.It is said that after Rajah Doraisingh Thevar, the then King of Sivagangai, vacated this palace and occupied the `European Bungalow’ on the Madurai Road, the palace was neglected, in addition to the plundering during the British rule.The worst damage is said to have been done by late Rajah Vijayaraja Karthik.He is said to have sold most of the properties, leaving the palace deprived of all its brilliant antiques and wooden carvings. Even the teak beams supporting the ceiling have all been removed now. The European Bungalow has also been sold to a private contractor.Inside the palace is a sprawling open space, which, according to the locals, once accommodated the Durbar hall of the kings. To the west of the open space is the royal temple of Shri Raja Rajeshwari, the family deity of the Kings. All the functions of the royal household were celebrated there.Now the hall remains locked with absolutely nothing done for the maintenance of the old pomp and the fear of its destruction also looms large.According to M Balakrishnan, an MKU research scholar, working on the `The History of Sivaganga’, “the most famous piece of this `Gowri Vilasam’ palace are the `black marble squares’. There is a small hall supported by black marble stone on the back of this palace.Inside the hall was a seat of stone carved entirely out of black marble and coronations of kings took place. The palace has many secret passages which have all been buried. From here, Valari Kambu (a wooden weapon of boomerang type) and some other weapons were recovered and now they are on display at the Rameswaram Museum.The palace is now in the custody of Rajalakshmi Raguraj, heir of Maruthupandiar Kings of Sivaganagai Samasthanam, who is settled in Bangalore and visits the palace occasionally.Following the family’s moves to convert the front portion of the palace into a guest house by demolishing the artistic structures and to construct a shopping complex, a Sivaganga resident has obtained a stay in the High Court against the demolition of the grand wall or any other part of the Palace. 
Interesting places to Visit:
The Temple Towers or The Gopurams
The temple has 12 temple towers also known as the Gopurams. The outer towers of the temple work as landmarks of Madurai. .
Gopura
Gopuras rise to a height of more than 50m. These towering gateways indicate the entrance to the temple complex at the four cardinal points, while lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums of the main dieties..Stucco Work :After every 12 years, the figures of deities on the tower are reconditioned, repainted and ritually reconsecrated.Ashta Shakthi Mandapam  :A visitor enters this Mandapam through the eastern gateway, .It was built by Thirumalai Nayakar’s wives Rudrapathi Ammal and Tholimamai. In this hall food was once distributed to the devotees who came from far off places. Next to this hall is the Meenakshi Nayaka Mandapa, a spacious columned hall used for shops and stores. This hall has a votive lamp-holder with 1,008 lamps, which are lit on festive occasions and present a spectacular sight. The sculptures on the pillars here relate some of Lord Shiva’s Thiruvilayadals (miracles) and also the story of Meenakshi’s birth and her life as the princess of Madurai.Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam    :This big hall is adjacent to Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, consisting of 110 pillars carrying the figures of a peculiar animal with a lion’s body , and an elephant’s head called Yalli. The Thousand Pillar Mandapam:It is the ‘wonder of the palace’. Actually the number of  pillars count to 985 beautifully decorated columns. Each pillar is sculptured and is a monument of the Dravidan sculpture. There is a Temple Art Museum in this 1000 pillars hall where you can see icons, photographs, drawings, etc., exhibiting the 1200 years old history.Vasantha Mandapam:This mandapam was built by Thirumalai Nayakkar. Vasanthosavam – the  Spring festival-is celebrated in this mandapam in Vaikasi . Its pillars contain elaborate sculptures of Shiva, Meenakshi, scenes from their wedding as well as the figures of ten of the Nayak Kings and their consorts. This is also called Pudhu Mandapam.
 
 
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Madurai Junction
Nearest Airport:Madurai Airport
Road Transport:Well connected by a good roads and bus services to and from Chennai, Bangalore and other places.
Nearest Visiting places:Tirunelveli : Thirunelveli, the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu is described as a microcosm of the state. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as high and lofty mountains and low plains, rivers, cascades, seacoast, thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life.Kalugumalai: Information about Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. Kalugumalai locates in between Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. This small beautiful town has great historic background and religious land.Kodaikanal :Kodaikanal, 2135 metres (7000 feet) above sea level is a lovely hill resort which lies amidst the sylvan grandeur of the Palani Hills in the dindugal district. The nearest railhead is Kodaikanal Road on southern Railways. From Kodaikanal Road, one has to travel 80 kms. (50 miles) by road to reach Kodaikanal. Two-thirds of this motor journey up the hill through the ghats is an exciting experience with the vista and scenery changing at every bend and curve on the mountain road.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Petrol Pump :Sivaganga,India
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:Hotel Vijay
122, Tirupparankunram Rd, Vasantha Nagar, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001? – 0452 2336321
Category: Travel – HotelsHotel Germanus
28, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 4356999Hotel Supreme
110, West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu – 0452 2343151Hotel Park Plaza
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 3011111The Madurai Residency
15, west Marret Street, Madurai – 652 001, Not Specified, Madurai, 652 001- 0452 4380000Taj Garden Retreat
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 2371601
 
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:police station
NH 226, Sivaganga, Tamil NaduPolice Station
Sivaganga, Tamil NaduPolice Station
Shanmuganathapuram, Sivaganga, Tamil NaduPolice Station
Race Course Road, Chockikulam, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Sellur Police station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduAnna Nagar Police Station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduSouthgate Police station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 
Nearest Hospital:Govt PHC Hospital
NH 226, Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu 630210Chirstian Mission Hospital
East Marret Street, East Marret Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001 – 0452 2326458Sugam Clinic
Thiruppathur Main Road, Kandramanickam, Sivaganga, Tamil NaduPrimary Health Center
Thiruppathur Main Road, Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu 630204
Vijaya Vennila Hospital
16/185, North Veli Street, North Veli Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2343365Brain Nerves Hospital
72, Vakkil New Street, Vakkil New Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2325123

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