Nalknad Palace

Aramane, or Nalknad or Nalnad Place, the strategically located retreat of the rajahs of Kodagu, lies in the heart of the countryside at the base of the towering peak, Tadiandamol, surrounded by ranges of forested green hills. Built-in 1793 CE by the most famous rajah of the Haleri dynasty, Dodda Vira Rajendra, the place is too grand a name for this sturdy, two-story, compact structure built on a plinth, with a long, deep, wooden pillared verandah and a cluster of small rooms at the rear. Painted ceilings and faded remnants of colourful murals afford glimpses into court life during Haleri's rule. The upper story has attractive pierced wooden windows and a short verandah supported by more wooden columns overlooking a small balcony. It was a location favoured as a hunting retreat, where the once-dense forests offered abundant wild game. 

The small, ornamented mandapa (marriage pavilion) in front was built in 1796 CE to commemorate the marriage of Dodda Vira Rajendra to his beloved wife, Mahadevamma. A picturesque description of this marriage survives in colonial records, attended by Company officials, an accompanying deputation of sepoys from Malabar, and large numbers of local people. 

All you need to know: 

1. Who built Nalknad palace? 

2. Nalknad palace history. 

3. Location of the palace 

4. Entry fee and timings of Nalknad Palace. 

5. Places around Nalknad Palace 

WHO BUILT NALKNAD PALACE? 

Dodda Veera Rajendra built the Nalknad Palace in the 18th century. This palace was a safe house for the royal family against the tipu sultan and the British.  

The rustic structure sits comfortably in the rugged countryside, and in its time, it took advantage of natural solid defences steep hills and thick jungle. A deep, running, artificial ditch with fortifications (aramane kadanga) surrounded the building, the remains of which can still be seen. Nalnad Palace was where the last raja of Kodagu, Chikka Vira Rajendra, retreated with his entourage when the British laid siege to Kodagu before annexing the kingdom in 1834 CE. Dodda Vira Rajendra, who lost part of his family in an attack on his base in Kuruchi village, recognised that Padinalaknad, long regarded as the heartland of Kodagu, was the better location for a stronghold where additional troops could be quickly mustered. The proximity of several large and critical ain manes belonging to some of the mighty old Kodava families reinforces the impression of carefully chosen, militarily advantageous location forces.

NALKNAD PALACE HISTORY/STORY : 

After the death of the Kodagu king, Lingaraja I, in 1780 AD, Hyder Ali took control of Kodagu under the pretext of being a guardian to Lingaraja's three sons, Dodda Veera Rajendra, Linga Rajendra and Appanna, who were of tender age. The princes were sent to reside in a fort at Gorur in  Hassan, and a garrison was stationed at Meracara. A minister, Amaldar Subbarasaya, formerly a Karnika (treasurer) of the Kodagu Raja, was appointed to look after the administration of Kodagu. The people and nobles of Kodagu were greatly alarmed by Hyder Ali's takeover of Kodagu. They suspected that Hyder Ali had evil intentions about the young princes and the royal family and that he would treat them the same way as he was treating the Wodeyar royal family of neighbouring  Mysore, which also had been taken over in the same way by Hyder Ali, as guardian of an underage prince. Rebellion began to brew against Hyder Ali among the Kodava nobility, and the opportunity came two years later, in 1782. At that time, Hyder Ali was busy fighting against the British, and the Kodava nobility managed to throw the garrison out of Kodagu and proclaim their independence. However, the underage princes could not be rescued from the custody of Hyder Ali and continued to reside under his "protection" in Gorur Fort. 

In December 1782, within a few months of the Kodava rebellion, Hyder Ali died and was succeeded by his son, Tipu Sultan. Tipu moved the Kodagu princes from Gorur to Periyapatnam and placed them under explicit arrest, closely monitoring them. Yet, Prince Dodda Veerarajendra escaped in 1786 (after six years of "protection") and returned to Kodagu.   The nobles welcomed him and promptly had him proclaimed king. The capital of his kingdom, Madikeri (Mercara), was under the occupation of Tipu's Army, but large swathes of his former kingdom, controlled by loyal nobles, paid allegiance to him. He started to wage battles against Tipu Sultan's army, which forced Tipu to send a large force to Kodagu to subdue the king. Tipu Sultan's army was able to capture some forts but suffered heavy losses as well. 

Palace and Kalyana Mantapa 

Dodda Veerarajendra recaptured most of his forts, except Mercara, the capital. Instead, he made his base in a thickly forested area called Nalknad and launched his operations there. Here at Nalknad, Dodda Virarajendra built himself the Nalknad Palace, a two-storeyed structure constructed in the style typical to its region. In 1793, he travelled to Cannanore to meet Sir Robert Abercromby and conclude a treaty with the British. After this agreement, Vira Rajendra became a steadfast ally of the British, in opposition to Tipu Sultan. 

LOCATION OF THE PALACE: 

Nalknad Palace is located in the Kodagu district in Karnataka, India. It is situated near the village of Kakkabe, approximately 45 km from Madikeri, 260 to 270 km from Bangalore and 120 to 130 from Mysore and Hassan. 

Nalknad Aramane Palace road, yavakapadi, Karnataka-571214  

ENTRY FEE AND TIMING: 

Entry fee 

• Adult: Free 

• Child: Free 

Timing  

• Opening time: 9:00 AM 

• Closing time: 6:00 PM 

NEARBY DESTINATIONS: 

There are several tourist places near Nalknad Palace in Coorg, Karnataka, including waterfalls, peaks, and national parks:  

1. Tadiandamol Peak: The highest peak in Coorg, standing at over 5,700 feet  

2. Kumara Parvatha Hill: A hill that's covered in clouds during monsoon season  

3. Abbey Falls: A dramatic waterfall that's especially impressive during monsoon season  

4. Iruppu Falls: A 170-foot waterfall that's best during monsoon season  

5. Nagarahole: Rajiv Gandhi National Park: A 643 sq km sanctuary with the largest herd of Asiatic elephants  

6. Cauvery Nisargadhama: A 64-acre island with a deer park, orchidarium, and boat rides  

7. Bhagamandala: A pilgrimage centre with three temples dedicated to Bhagandeshwara, Brahma, and Mahavishnu 

Nalknad Palace is a well-maintained, protected monument famous for its paintings and carvings.  

This will be one of the best tourist destinations, which gives you the best experience of the historical place where you can feel the life of people for some time. 

You can join escape2explore to visit these places. You will get the best food, transportation, accommodation and much more. 

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