Pazhassi Kovilakam may soon be demolished

Kannur: Pazhassi Padinjare Kovilakom, where legendary freedom fighter Veera Kerala Pazhassi Raja’s descendants lived, may turn into a heap of mud and wood soon with the state government failing to take it over as promised. The century-old palace, built in 1903 by the royal family, was a treasure trove of many valuable articles for archaeologists. The present owners decided to demolish it due to dilapidation.

During the previous dispensation, a meeting of ministers, Mattannur Municipality and Pazhassi Raja Trust decided to purchase the property to preserve, but nothing materialised.

“The meeting was called by culture minister K.C. Joseph, agriculture minister K.P. Mohanan and Union minister Mullap-pally Ramachandran. Though it was decided to take over the building, later the minister turned the plate and said the government would only preserve it if the property is given free of cost,” said Mattannur Municipality chairman Bhaskaran Master. He added that he would meet the present ministers to intervene and to take care of the building that has immense historical and archaeological importance.

The municipality has already established a museum in the memory of Pazhassi Raja, who was believed to be killed on November 30, 1805, in a gunfight with the British East India Company. The museum is near Mattannur town where the palace and fort of Pazhassi Raja’s Kottayam Kingdom once located.