The Palace of Queen Mother

 

Ammachi kottaram at Kuttikanam

Ammachi kottaram is located in Kuttikanam in Peermedu taluk , Idukki district in Kerala. This palace is over 200 years old and was the summer residence of the wife of the king of Travancore. The four knots palace is said to have been built by a foreigner named  J C Monroe. Ammachi kottaram is a place with an atmosphere of terror in the jungle without people.

The palace is in a dilapidated condition due to age and lack of significant maintenance. The roof is all in a dilapidated state. The products here are import from from countries like Italy and Britain. Marble, Tiles, and Sink are said to have been brought from Italy in those days. The royal seal of the Travancore royal family is in scribed on all the cast iron sheets in a single mold. 

Major buildings have not been significantly damaged but the windows, doors, and roofs are all in a state of disrepair. The palace is now privately owned. Situated away from the city, It is a very quiet and lush green area. Inside the palace is a courtyard, three rooms, two halls, a dining hall, a large kitchen and two underground passages. One of these paths is thought to have been for the entry of palace servants. Another of these paths end at the krishna temple in Peermedu.

The original name of the palace was Summer Palace. The palace has a caretaker who has been working here since the time of king Sri Chithira Thirunal. He is the one who tells the people who come there about the palace. 

During the reign of the king, the wives of the rulers were reverently called "Ammachi" in those days. That is why this palace is known as Ammachi kottaram. The palace is highlighted in the movie Karbonn starring Fahad Fazil . Apart from this, the palace can be seen in the movies of Lucifer, pilot, and Indriyam etc...

On the Kuttikkanam - Mundakayam route , turn right at the junction half a kilometre away from  kuttikkanam to reach the palace. This road is a short tarred road that later collapses. Half a kilometres away you will see a gate that leads to the palace. The cart will go up to the courtyard of the palace. For those who want a little adventure you can reach here on foot through the jungle near the K A P  Batalian. There is only one palace here in a radius of  1.5 km...