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Mattancherry
Palace
 Built
by the Portuguese in 1555, Mattancherry Palace was presented to the
raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma (1537-61), as a gesture of
goodwill (and probably as a means of securing trading privileges).
The Dutch renovated the palace in 1663, hence its alternative name,
the Dutch Palace. The two storey quadrangular building surrounds a
courtyard containing a Hindu Temple. The central hall on the 1st
floor was the coronation hall of the rajas. The astonishing murals,
depicting scene from the Ramayana, Mahabharta and Puranic legends,
are one of the wonders of India. The ladies' bedchamber downstairs
features a cheerful Krishna using his six hands and two feet to
engage in foreplay with eight happy milkmaids.
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