Host: K.S. BhagwaldasWhen: Anytime Length of stay: Any length Number of guests: up to 12 Tariff: 2005 . The tariff is on full board basis for two pax. (Contact Mr. Bhagwaldas directly at bottom of this page, for your final price quote).
THE HOUSE: The Kandath Tharavad is the ancestral home of the Kandath Family, built by Mr. Kandath Kuppavelan in 1794. Mr. Kuppavelan was a respected landowner and banker, who was extremely popular in Palakkad. He was so friendly and welcoming with neighbors and friends that the doors to the Kandath Tharavad were always open. If you stopped by for tea for instance, you’d probably stay back for breakfast. Nothing’s really changed at the Kandath Tharavad, over five generations – right down to the present “landowner” and great, great grandson, Bhagwaldas. Set against a picturesque backdrop of lush green paddy fields, the Kandath Tharavad is 10 kms from Palakkad, and roughly two and a half hours away by road from Cochin in the west and one hour from Coimbatore in the East. The Kandath Tharavad is an ‘Ettukettu’ – an eight – sided building with a twin elevation plan. The open-to-sky area is where the sacred rituals on ancestors’ day is still held that follows through into the pooja room. All doors in the house are low, narrow and stepped ; they are built with teak and decorated with brass inlays. Adding to the Tharavad’s practical aspects is its breezy and well ventilated ambiance, with large living areas. 
The most striking feature of the Kandath Tharavad is the front elevation a raised Purathalam, with grand pillars at the corners fashioned in teak rising to glorious carvings of elephants, snakes, fish and dragons. The flow of the Purathalam is of classic tiles made of natural dyes and set in earthy colours. A setting that has seen many shades of the rupee when the family was into financing farmers between harvests. Traditionally, as in most Tharavads there are basically two socializing areas in the house – located at two extremities. One for the ‘men’ and other for the ‘women’. At Kandath the men’s grouping area is around the Purathalam. Less than 20 feet from here is an exclusive area for the women at the rear section, to insulate the gossip columnists among the women. These two cluster points are diagonally separated by a reception area where we have a ‘Nadumuttam’ or an open-to-sky area, right in the heart of the ancestral home. Some who is looking for quiet corner to relax and catch up on some reading the ‘Tharavad’ has plenty of spots around the house. If you want to try something that is really authentic from Kitchens of Kerala, be our guest. Our highly personalized menu can treat you to what the best of Malabar has to offer. If you want to venture out in the mornings, a trek to the ‘Chayakada (Corner Tea Shop)’ is a must-where you could actually meet up the flavor of the locals. To stretch a like in the afternoon or evening, we recommended a truck through the greens in our paddy fields near by – here is where you must catch a glimpse of the sunset, against a setting that is gentle, serene and inspiring. LOCATION:
ACTIVITIES AT THARAVAD: We offer many other activities to those who come here:
WEDDING BELLS at THE KANDATH THARAVAD:
The Kandath Tharavad offers just perfect ambiance and setting for Weddings (Christian or Hindu), in the sacred environs of our heritage pandhals. We’ll roll it out for you – right from pre-wedding rituals to the wedding ceremony, the attire, décor, entertainment… and banquet arrangements that are meticulously planned. The Bride is dressed in a traditional Saree and the Groom is attired in Silk Dhothi. The festivities comings with traditional musicians accompanying the Bridegroom on Elephant - back to the Bride. The Grooms’ entourage is received by the ladies of the Bride’s family with ‘Thalams’ (A tray with an oil lamp with fruits and flowers). The Thalams are handed over to the ladies of the Groom’s family. The Groom is escorted to the wedding Panthal (Decorated Tent). Wedding vows and floral garlands are exchanged before a sacred fire as a priest chants Sanskrit verses. A sumptuous banquet of local delicacies is served on banana leaves. A classic dance performance completes the celebrations. |
Kandath Tharavad is a classic ancestral home built over 200 years ago, using an architectural concept that is truly unique to Kerala. It is probably one among the most fascinating examples of eco friendly designs in the world.
Trekking into Silent Valley National Park
