AMMACHI KOTTARAM

Ammachi Kottaram.

Ammachi Kottaram Located near Peermade in the Idukki district of Kerala is a small summer residence of the wife of the former Maharaja of Travancore. Commonly known as 'Ammachi Kottaram', the palace was built on the ghat of Glenrock Estate and opened by JD Munro. The term "Ammachi" literally means Mother.In this case, however, the title "Ammachi" is held by the pious wives of the ruling Maharajah of Travancore along with other titles held by male members of the Travancore royal family. Indeed, according to the old matriarchy that existed in Travancore, Maharaja's sister was Maharani, not his wife. Therefore, the non-royal wife took the title "Ammachi".

One cannot fail to notice, even amid the ruins, the grandeur of the splendidly built little palace. The whole complex includes 3 bedrooms, 2 halls, living room, dining room, kitchen, storage and 2 secret passages. A secret passageway is for access inside the palace and another secret passage leads to the Sree Krishna Temple in Peermade. But this passage is closed for security reasons.The first room is a rather small living room with a fireplace. This room leads to a hall that used to be the king's meeting room. At the end of the work there is a semicircle that adds beauty to the work. Two French windows that come with this room bring plenty of sunlight into the room. When you leave this room, you will enter the "Nadumuttam", which is an open courtyard similar to a walled courtyard on all four sides. One of these sides has three bedrooms. The first was used by Raja, the second by Ammachi, and the third by Ammachi's servants. A secret passage through the rooms to reach the maids.

One of these rooms is now used by the palace guide and the other rooms are used to store things. An entertainment hall is also part of the palace. This was probably used to entertain the royal entourage. A large dining room with magnificent flawless porcelain sinks is present here. There is a kitchen adjacent to this dining room that can accommodate a large number of servants at once. It can be said that the wheel of time has weighed on the beauty and grandeur of this place. One can only imagine what it must have been like in its glory days. This palace is a “must visit” if you are in Idukki.