Chittoor Kottaram
Cochin, Ernakulam- Kerala

The Chittoor Palace A Royal Abode - Located on the banks of Cochin backwaters, the summer palace of the Maharaja of the erstwhile Cochin royalty is now restored to an exclusive heritage resort..............a private palace hideaway...

All journeys begin in the mind, rather from the soul within. Now that you have taken the first step, allow us to take you through the realms of a royal journey, where reality and fantasy often intermingle to give the travellers a magical, unforgettable experience. We invite you to undertake this voyage that will transport you to a time-warp where the legends and drama of the erstwhile monarchs and members of the Cochin royalty will unfold before you through the age-old antiquity and heritage of the palace. Let the walls of this ancient palace, its ceilings and the air enveloping it, whisper royal mantras to you and pamper you in its unique rich tradition.

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The place – A royal mansion (the Chittoor Palace) in the vicinity of an ancient temple The period – Few hundreds of full moons ago The scene - Cheranelloor Kartha, the village chieftain, displays magical feats at the royal courtyard for the pleasure of the young princes of the Cochin royal family during one of their visits to the temple. During one such act, to the horror and awe of the audience, the palace goes up in flames. The illusion lasts only for a few moments before the palace is brought back to its original state. This incident finds special mention in a chapter of the ancient text of the fairy tales of Kerala, the “Aithihyamala”, first published about 100 years ago. The chapter is dedicated to the nearby Chittoor temple and its village chieftain, Cheranelloor Kartha.

During the days of the kingdom, it was customary for the Maharaja of Cochin to attend the annual 10-day temple festivities in April. As the Chittoor temple and the palace are situated in the island of Cheranelloor; devoid of bridges, the only access to them was by boats. The annual temple visit of the royalty was a mammoth spectacle and a rare sight to behold. The Maharaja and the royal family members were accompanied by a huge entourage of 200 guards, who would travel by boats to this place from their headquarters at Tripunithura, nearly 10 miles away. Chittoor Palace was used as a rest house during these visits, when the Maharaja attended to the temple festivities. Centuries have passed, yet the legacy and heritage of this mansion remain unchanged as the ownership of the property has remained with the royal family.

Just 30 minutes by boat from the Brunton Boatyard, Fort Cochin

Chittoor can accommodate a mere six people. You need to enter barefoot (and stay that way). And the menu features a choice of precisely one. Yet if you’re open-minded enough to consider luxury as a feeling rather than a shiny object, you may be in for an experience. Of a kind you’re unlikely to encounter anywhere else.

Chittoor Kottaram is a single key hotel, which means there are no guests but you and your companions. Together, you will be transported back to the time when Kerala was still the Kingdom of Travancore, a fuedal land of nobles and princes. Arrive by boat just like they did in days gone by. Live and sleep as if to the manner born. Enjoy the same performances as the royals did and even eat the same food in the same manner. You would bask in the services of a personal retinue. And even take a pleasure cruise on the backwaters, just to watch the sun rise over your kingdom.