The history of this magnificent heritage mansion, the "Chittoor Palace" dates back to a time and period steeped in folklore and cloaked with legends built in the year 1948. A mansion built in the vicinity of the famous Chittoorappan temple, intended to equal in grandeur and stature to the Guruvayur temple. The Raja of Cochin built this palace to cater to the use of the Raja during his regular visits to the shrine. Thus, the splendorous "Chittoor Palace" was built nearly 50 yards from the temple.

The hosts Suresh Namboothiri, a Chartered Accountant by profession, and wife, Jayasree Varma, a member of the erstwhile Cochin royal family, owns Chittoor Palace through inheritance. The Cochin royalty follows a matriarchal system where the inheritance of title and property descends only through a female member of the royal family. Since the inception of the Cochin Royalty, it has been the practice still the kingdom paved way for a democratic state of Kerala- that a female member of the Cochin royal family can only marry a person from a respectable Namboothiri family. As a corollary, the Namboothiries follow the Patriarchal system. Suresh comes from an educated family of Namboothiries. An Engineer by profession, his birthplace is Ottapalam, where the famous river ‘Nila’ (Bharatapuzha) borders and divides the two districts of Trichur and Palghat.

Before taking up the challenge of restoring this heritage mansion, Suresh Namboothiri had almost a decade long assignment in Dubai living with his family there. They are well exposed to the international culture, standards and practices, but would like the guests to follow the traditional culture of their family background while staying at the palace. Suresh Namboothiri, a fine mix of the cosmopolitan and the traditional, is an interesting host making your experience in this royal property every bit worth your while.

Website: www.chittoorpalace.com