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Bolgatty Palace Resort

Article by :- Afrin safura and Binoy Keezhoor

Cochin known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ is not only just the commercial capital of Kerala; it is a much sought after destination for a tourist who seeks places that spell class. The 17th century Jews’ Synagogue, the vast expanse of backwaters that surround the city, the exquisite islands lying scattered here and there all offer real value for his money. Bolghatty Island - that houses Bolghatty Palace – presently the Bolghatty Palace Hotel is a tiny piece of land located just 2 km from the city. Vypeen and Vallarpadam islands are its sisters and all three easily accessible by ubiquitous motor-boats that add color and life to the placid lake. Bolghatty is a magnificent mansion built by the Dutch mainly used for business purposes; but provided with all paraphernalia of a full fledged palace.

At present this whole island has been converted into tourist complex by the Kerala Tourism Department which arranges many packaged amenities to the visitors. This palace is provided with all modern amenities including 4 exclusive suites, 2 honey-moon cottages, monsoon-special accommodations etc that can house 27 families at a time. The palace resort can accommodate up to 27 families at a time and apart from these it also provides 2 honeymoon cottages. Monsoon cottages are a very specific and worth mentioning.

A horse ride around the exquisite palace resort garden where most of the local trees found in Kerala are grown, boat ride to the nearby tiny islands in boats, shopping and merry-making in the Cochin city, spending some time in the golf lawn in the island, a swimming pool just in front of the palace etc are all activities a tourist can enjoy. Bolghatty Island has a vast bamboo garden which serves as a favorite picnic location for the people visiting the city of Cochin. ‘Bolghatty at night’ is a real sight when the ancient styled lanterns of the palace and its premises glow, and the boats that sail around like fire flies around the ships waiting at the nearby port with lights shining like little diamonds in the night sky.

Being a mansion with all modern amenities does not mean that this palace stands as an odd architectural work in Kerala scenario. Its ethnic touch is visible in its making like the ‘nadumuttam’ (the court yard in the middle of the structure that let rain and shine enter in the middle of the palace - found in a typical ‘tharavadu’ (traditional houses of Kerala). Many such examples are seen in and around the palace. There is a calling bell that responds to the pulling of a string a typical old world charm that needs no power! “The rain falling in the middle of the palace at the opening or the Nadumuttam site is an amazing scene that I can carry back home” says one of the tourist down from South West America.

November to March is said to be the season for visit; but June to August offer the ‘monsoon season’ when the North West monsoon pours offering an unmatched open-air shower-bath; a real thrill for people from non tropic areas. September and October are ‘Onam Festival season; to be brief; there is one reason for every season. A restaurant behind the palace adds some spice to the soul with delicacies from Kerala real feast to the taste-buds! The city of Cochin is accessible by air from the Cochin International Airport located 25 km north of it at Nedumbassery. Train and road facilities are also close by; making Cochin as one of the most easily accessible places in India.

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