India: Madurai – Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Thirumalai Nayak Palace aka Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is a stunning 17th-century architectural masterpiece in Madurai. The Nayaks kings ruled Madurai from 1545 to the 1740s, and the palace was commissioned by King Thirumalai Nayak, one of the most prominent rulers of the Nayak dynasty, to serve as his royal residence and administrative headquarters. The palace was originally four times larger than its current structure, but over time, parts of the palace were damaged or demolished. Today, only about one-fourth remains, primarily the Swarga Vilasam (Celestial Pavilion) – but it is very spectacular and grand! The palace is famous for its 248 towering pillars, some reaching heights of 25m (82 feet) with a width of 5.8m (19 feet). These pillars are adorned with intricate stucco work and support highly decorated arches. There is also a massive dome over the throne room. The interiors are richly adorned with intricate paintings and sculptures, motifs of peacocks, parakeets, mythical creatures, lions, elephants, and lotuses.