Of all the palaces of those Kings who ruled Coorg, “Nalku Nadu ” , being different & imcomparable, it resembles the Coorg’s traditional Ain House. It is 40 kms distance from Coorg and is located near Kakkabbe. Besides, what is noticeable is that this palace is quite different, distinct and very special from all those palaces found throughout Karnataka.
The Naku Nadu Palace is built over the lofty hill in Yuvakapadi between the series of Bettavada Thadiyandamol hillocks. If you would ask how the King built such a rare palce in the thick jungle here, the Palace tells its own story :
If you turn down the leaves of history pondering over the construction of this palace, thrilling stories unfold. Tippu Sultan had intended to caputre Coorg, the land of plenty once. He held Dodda Veera Rajendra, who belonged to the clan of Kings who ruled Coorg as a captive and imprisoned him in Piriya Pattana fort.
In 1791-92, during the Anglo-Mysore War, Dodda Veera Rajendra along with his family escaped from the prison of Tippu Sultan and arrived at a village called “Kurchi”. But since the palace that existed there had been destroyed by enemies, he was in need of a safe hide-out for him and his family for protecting themselves against his enemies.
So, Dodda Veera Rajendra with his Military went in search of a suitable palace and here he saw this ‘Thadiyandamol’, a leveled place called ‘Yuvaka Padi’. When he took a panoramic view of the locale, he decided that it was the safest place for him to construct a palace amidst the thick jungle. He soon issued orders to his servants for the construction of a palace here. The thus built palace later draws your attenting that being “Nalku Nadu Palace”.
This palace built by Dodda Veera Rajendra earlier was made of thatch, later during the rule of the Britishers, it was decked with tiles.
The palace having 2 entrances, it houses 2 storeys – in the first storey you would find beautiful carvings here. There are many small and compact rooms which are spick & span. The wooden roof is decked with Oil Paintings and draws your attention for its workmanship.
There are 14 small rooms and you would see 3 dark rooms behind the palace. From history you would learn that those erred were confined in these dark torture chambers. The roof being octagonal, it rests over 12 massive pillars. You wouldn’t miss seeing imposing statues perched over the pillars. Windows and doors are marked with deft carvings which reflect the love of the people for their art & architecture then.
In the first hall of the palace if you can observe minutely the carvings, you wouldn’t miss seeing those pictures which narrate the great by-gone times. King seated on the elephant, the coterie of musicians leading the military is a beautiful sight indeed. The palace is completely made of wood. There being a rectangular cot in front of the palace, it has 4 entries. Over the Mantap you would see the idol of Basava slept in all the 4 directions. This ‘Kiru Mantapa’ is also called as ‘Vivaha Mantapa’. Her, e it is alleged that in 1796 Dodda Veera Rajendra and Mahadevammaji got married on Magha Shudda Sunday night at 19 hrs during the Vrischika Lagna auspices in the very presence of Raja Purohita Shivalinga Swamy.
” Nalku Nadu” Palace being under the custody of Archaeology Department, this had been renovated 6 years before. Prior to this several people dug holes around for treasure and caused damage to the Palace. The Palace received a new lease of life after the renovation work was undertaken. It was a difficult task reaching this place of the palace since there was neither proper access road, nor was there any residential facility available. Those who trekked to
Thadiyandamol Hill, they stayed there. But now those tourists who come from far off places have access to Home Stay facility here. A water fall leaps from the hill near the palace during monsoon ; another water fall reaches about 3 kms distance in front of the palace road. This beautiful Water Fall has been called “Madandaa
Abbi”, by the locals. Those trekking Thadiyandamol Hill can very well start their trekking from here itself. In order to attract tourists here, many developmental works need to take place here. There is eerie silence noticeable here which is distinct since this part of the world is far away from din & bustle of any civilization.
Tourists can leave for “Nalku Nadu” Palace from Napoklu in Coorg via Kakkabbe.
Address:
2333, 9th Cross, Basaveshwara Road
KR Mohalla Mysore 570 004 Mob: 906062970
