Poonjar Palace lies east of Kottayam in the foothill country, a traditional Kerala royal residence connected with the Poonjar dynasty. The wooden architecture, sloping roofs, courtyards, and household objects give a more intimate view of princely Kerala than the grander palace museums elsewhere in the state.
The palace is best approached as a cultural stop on a drive toward the high ranges rather than as a standalone day out. Displays can be simple, but the building and setting are the attraction: a reminder that Kerala's history was shaped by many small courts, temple networks, and hill-country trade routes, not only by the coast.