Ammachi Kottaram - Tourist attraction in Kuttikkanam - Idukki, India

Nestled in the scenic hills of Idukki, Kerala, is Ammachi Kottaram (Mother's Palace), a charming summer retreat that once belonged to the wife of the Maharaja of Travancore. Even in its ruins, the palace exudes a sense of grandeur and opulence. The palace complex consists of three rooms, two halls, a visiting room, a dining hall, a kitchen, a storeroom, and two secret passages. One passage is for internal movement within the palace, while the other leads to the Sree Krishna Temple in Peermade, but it is currently closed for security reasons. The visiting room is a small chamber with a chimney. It leads to a hall that was used by the king for assemblies. At the end of the hall is a semi-circular alcove that adds to its beauty. Two French windows let in ample sunlight. The Nadumuttam (open courtyard) is enclosed by walls on all four sides. One side houses three rooms: the Raja's room, the Ammachi's room, and the Ammachi's maid's room. A secret passage runs through the rooms to allow the maids to move around without being seen. One of these rooms is now used by the palace guide. The palace also has an entertainment hall that was presumably used for royal gatherings. The dining hall is large and has majestic washbasins made of immaculate ceramic. Adjacent to the dining hall is a kitchen that could accommodate a large number of servants. Ammachi Kottaram Palace is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and architecture. It is a hidden gem in Idukki that offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the royals of Travancore.

Ammachi Kottaram was constructed by Travancore Maharaja, Moolam Thirunal, sometime in the 19th-century. Nestled in the cool tea and coffee growing highlands, it was mainly used as a royal retreat for the wife of the Maharaja. Travancore royal titles were passed matrilineally, so brother and sister ruled as the Maharaja and Maharani. The Maharaja's wife was thus given the title of consort rather than queen. It's believed that Thirunal constructed Ammachi Kottaram for his wife, although the exact history behind its construction remains murky. Today, the palace grounds still cover around 25 acres of land across the foggy hilltops. The building itself contains a wrap-around veranda, three rooms, two large halls for receiving guests, as well as bathrooms, kitchens, and dining areas. There are also two secret passageways, one for movement within the palace, while the other was used as a subterranean escape tunnel. Recently, the structure has served as a location for Malayalam language films, including Carbon (2018) and Lucifer (2019). Unfortunately, the building and grounds seem to have suffered from neglect over the years. However, the crumbling structure amidst the gorgeous landscape is a satisfying destination for history buffs.

You have to take left turn just before reaching the factory tea outlet near Kuttinkanam junction. Don't go upto Kuttikanam junction. The place is not maintained well. You can't enter inside the building as it is locked.

" Ammachi kottaram " was the retreat place of the Maharajas wife. This was build sometime around the 19th century.(There is no correct history behind the building or it's construction). * This is really a place of attraction in kuttikkanam. * Many people come daily to visit the place.( Weekends are little crowded). ** Yet the place is not maintained well. Really need some maintenance. * The road to this place is not completely tared but even every four wheelers can easily reach here.

A heritage palace without any maintenance and care, nice ambiance , good air, and peaceful atmosphere made that place something special for me. Need more care and protection for such beautiful heritage places. If u give a 50 rupees or something the care taker will allow you to see the palace from inside.

Good for a one time visit.. Horror ambience.. But not well maintained though.. U can go n see inside if u give sm tip to the caretaker thr.. Perfect set for a horror film..

Yeah, a good place to visit especially during the rainy days. The owners of the property are old. Should talk to them politely And they are not really welcoming.

Ammachi Kottaram was constructed by Travancore Maharaja, Moolam Thirunal, sometime in the 19th-century. Nestled in the cool tea and coffee growing highlands, it was mainly used as a royal retreat for the wife of the Maharaja. Travancore royal titles were passed matrilineally, so brother and sister ruled as the Maharaja and Maharani. The Maharaja's wife was thus given the title of consort rather than queen. It's believed that Thirunal constructed Ammachi Kottaram for his wife, although the exact history behind its construction remains murky. Recently, the structure has served as a location for Malayalam language films, including Carbon and Lucifer. Unfortunately, the building and grounds seem to have suffered from neglect over the years. However, the crumbling structure amidst the gorgeous landscape is a satisfying destination for history buffs. Kuttikkanam, a hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala, is where the beautiful Kuttikkanam Palace is located. A fine example of the region's famous Nalukettu architecture, it once served as a retreat for the consorts of the Travancore dynasty.