Every city has a nerve centre buzzing with events, activities and galas. However, there might not be too many cities that can boast of a palace and its premises being its centre of attraction. That is why Thiruvananthapuram is proud to have the serene Kanakakunnu Palace as one of its finest spots for events and various cultural activities. The architectural marvel of the palace is indeed a league apart. With a red face in the middle of a lush green park that hosts one of the best collections of trees and plants in the city, the palace is a testimony to the Keralan-Gothic styles of Victorian-era architecture.
Believed to have been built by Shree Moolam Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore, the palace was later used by the royal family for entertaining guests and serving them non-vegetarian food, as the members of the royal house were pure vegetarians. Massive Crystal chandeliers and a host of exquisite furniture pieces can be found inside the palace. Today, the palace and its grounds play host to many cultural meetings and events. The palace premises include two auditoriums – one of which is the Nishagandhi which is an open-air auditorium and also the Sooryakanthi auditorium.
