Poonjar Palace, Kottayam, Kerala India

Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.

The palace, which is nearly 600 years old, houses a museum these days, which attracts visitors in large numbers. The museum features the royal collection of antiques, rock-cut lamps and several sculptures. Also part of the museum are exquisite furniture including a palanquin, a droni (treatment bed) carved out of a single piece of wood for Ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Shiva), grain measures, statues and weapons. The palace also has a unique conch shell, which has been preserved and is taken out once a year for ritualistic purposes.