on auspicious occasions. A secret passage, now blocked, through which the king, his immediate family members, and their entourage could escape to another palace, located several kilometers away in the event of any emergency. Name of this palace is Charottu Kottaram. A flight of steps leads to a bathing pond, which has lost its freshness due to neglect and years of disuse. The palace complex also has a section of curios and several interesting objects: An entire room filled with old Chinese jars, all gifts by Chinese merchants. A variety of weapons (which were actually used in warfare), including swords and daggers. Brass lamps, wood and stone sculpture, a variety of furniture and large mirrors made of polished metal. A gallery of paintings depicting incidents from the history of Travancore. A wooden cot made of up to 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks Polished stone cot, meant for cool effect Toilet and well Gallery See also List of State Protected Monuments in Kerala Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in India Eraniel Marthandavarma (novel) References External links Protected Monuments in Kerala, Archaeological Survey of India Padmanabhapuram Palace at the World Heritage Tentative List Kanyakumari Kingdom of Travancore History of Kerala Palaces in Tamil Nadu Royal residences in India Travancore royal family Monuments of National Importance in Kerala