Made Of Mud And Stone, Kanyakumari's Muthunandhini Palace Offers Eco-friendly Homestay

On the southern tip of the Indian peninsular is the Kanyakumari which is one of the most serene places in Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari is one of the perfect and peaceful getaway places to chill and reconnect with yourself. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience in Kanyakumari, the Pothayadi village is the perfect place to surround yourself with a little bit of rural setting, an astounding palace and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

In the Pothayadi village, Muthunandhini Palace is located which is one of the most beautiful architectures with a blend of Tamil, Venad and Chettinad styles that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and will leave you marvelling at it. It is surrounded by rugged hills and vegetation and is quite peaceful with not much of tourists crowding.

The palace is unique. While is it not a heritage property, it is exquisite. As per reports, the palace houses various artefacts and other things that are from various locations and are about 100 years old. You will come across antique items from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Madurai and Karaikudi. These highlight the rich and cultural heritage of the state as well as of the proprietors.

What sets this palace apart from others is its build. In an interview with News18, one of the owners of Muthunandhini Palace revealed, “It was built as my husband’s dream house, built with the idea that it should be completely built around nature. This palace was completely built with the idea of building a house following Tamil cultures like Karaikudi Venadu. All the materials required to build this palace are recycled materials and we have not introduced any new materials.”

Plaster made of materials like lime, red clay, cow dung and straw and a roof made of old clay have been used. The wood, stone and clay bricks used for the doors are all recycled. Colourful, sustainable and handmade Athangudi tiles add to the beauty of Muthunandhini Palace and make it eco-friendly. The palace has more than 100 pillars and 50 windows which will let in natural light, sun rays and even wind. It has a balcony, concrete block, paddock, yard and swing. This illustrates the uniqueness of the palace.