Nalnad Palace near Kakkabe in Coorg
Nalnad Palace is a 18th century monument that holds a very important place in the Kodava history. It is situated near Palace Estate in Kakkabe, which is popular tourist destination in Coorg. In its heydays, this palace served as the royal hunting lodge and summer home of the Kodava Kings.
Nalnad Palace is situated at the base of the Thadiyendamol peak and makes for a great place to end the trek from Thadiyendamol.
This is exactly what me and my friends did. We had walked nearly all day in heavy rains from Honey Valley to Thadiyendamol and by early evening we found ourselves at Nalnad Palace and thus got two full hours of daylight to explore and appreciate this historic place.
It was raining for most of the two hours that we were at this place and hence we spent more time admiring the superb architecture and fabulous paintings. There are intricate wood carvings all round the structure. The ancient paintings and the historic architecture also catch one’s eye.
The things that stand out here are the low slung conical roof, crested dome, pillared facade, intricate wooden friezes, wall murals and the courtyard with its four bulls. Even the main entrance palace doors are ornately decorated.
This is a must see place in and around Kakkabe. The Padi Igguthappa temple, which is the holiest Kodava shrine, the village of the Kapala tribesman and Chelavara Falls are some other favourite tourist spots nearby. Kakkabe is well connected by buses, jeeps and cabs from Madikeri and Virajpet, which are the top cities in Coorg.
