Nalknad Palace or Nalkunadu, known as Nalnad Palace in the local Kodava language, is a palace in the Kodagu district of Karnataka state. Nalkanad Palace is located near the village of Yavakapadi in Kakkabe town of Kodagu region and was built between 1792 and 1794 AD by Haleri ruler Dodda Veerarajendra. He built it after escaping from Tipu Sultan’s army. Dodda Veerrajendra is said to have married Mahadevammaji at this place in 1796.
Nalknad Palace is about 268 km from Bangalore and 132 km from Mysore. It is 35 km from Madikeri city and 27 km from Virajpet city. The clock tower is about 162 km from Mangalore.
Dodda Veerarajendra the great built an underground tunnel from Nalnad Palace to Madikeri. It was the palace where the last emperor of the Halari family, Chikaveerarajendra, took refuge when the British entered Kodagu district. The walls and ceiling of the palace have many beautifully done ancient paintings and carvings which make the palace even more attractive. Apart from this, the palace has a huge gateway and also has a Kalyana Mandapam which is a stage for conducting wedding ceremonies.
The palace also has a Durbar. It was the place where the king held his meetings and watched entertainment shows. In the basement of the palace, there are two ‘dark rooms’ that were used as hiding places for the king.
It can be reached from Madikeri via Kakkabeya Napoklu. The site is now owned by the Department of Archaeology. Apart from the palace, one can also visit Thadiyandamole, the highest peak in Kodagu district.
