My First Interaction With HH Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore

My First Interaction With HH Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore

This is the time where my dream comes true. Its is one of the happiest moment in my life. First time in my life, were I was going to interact with Head of the Travancore Royal Family. Regarding my historical research work, I was staying at Bhajanapuram Palace (Royal Family Guest House), which is only 100 meters distance from world famous Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple. I was having fixed schedule in these days. Morning, I got a call from Princess Gouri Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore and she advise me to meet HH Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore, I am happily agreed for this advice. Princess Gouri Lakshmi Bayi arranged our appointment with HH Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore. Finally, I got an appointment with Maharaja of Travancore on next day morning. Full night I was thinking that, what gift I have to present? Which kind of dress I need to wear? How do I sit? How do I speak to him? Next day morning, I prepared long list of questions, which I wanted to get answers from Maharaja of Travancore. I took a beautiful flowers bouquet to present Maharaja.

Maharaja Marthanda Varma Residence | Pottam Palace

I and my colleague Mr. Praveen Sangam, reached the Maharaja residence, Pottam Palace morning 10 am.  We informed to secretary of Maharaja regarding our appointment. He requested us to wait for 30 minutes because cardio test is going with Maharaja. I was having very curious about Maharaja Palace, we usually seen our Mysore Royal Family’s royal residences, which are very grandeur and luxurious. The Pottam Palace, residence of Maharaja of Travancore is not that mush big, if we compare to our Mysore Royal residences. Pottam Palace is constructed based on Keralas’s traditional architectures.

Discussion With Maharaja of Travancore

 After some time, we got a call from Maharaja of Travancore. I was little nervous at that time. I have given flower bouquet to Maharaja. Maharaja is 85+ age. But he looks like very young. A bright shining is clearly visible on his face. Maharaja started our discussion with Malayalam language and I request him that, I am unable to understand that language. Then he started speaking in English language. His Highness given brief about his family heritage and legacy. He is living very simple life style. He explained that, how the royal family effected after abolishing the Privy Purse. After casual talks he briefly describe that, how the royal family still giving contributions to the society. Maharaja was very kind heated person and he answered all my questions which are related to my research works. He is having good wealth and with royal legacy but his simplicity and kindness was really impressible. Totally is a golden hearted person.

After our complete discussion, I expressed my feelings to see entire palace. He called one of the palace staff and he told them to show his palace to us. My eyes are looking entire interiors of the palace with huge curiosity. The Maharaja palace is decorated with beautiful paintings, ivory statues and many mores. I clicked many photos with palace staff. The palace staffs are very co-operative and well manned peoples. After our completing all the things, once I went to Maharaja, he taken my contact address and he told that, he will send me some historical books. He given me some rare historical paintings. This was one of my most beautiful memory in my life which I spent some moments with a great personality of India. I really thankful to Princess Gouiri Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore for arranging the appointment with Maharaja. Even I thankful to my colleague Mr. Paveen I Sangam for his kind co-operation during my research work. With a help of Travancore Royal Family member’s, Palace staff, archeology dept., ICHR, etc. my research was completed and the book will publish as soon as possible.

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