#Abandoned castle courtyard description full
#Abandoned castle courtyard description windows

Irattai Veedu – The storerooms that are allocated to each family to store their personal belongings.Nadai – The corridor itself that has several rooms.Pattalai –The four raised platforms that form the corridor around the courtyard.Let me quickly introduce you to the key elements of these courtyard. Valavu in VVR mansion – one of the Chettinad homes in Kanadukathanīy now, you would have got a glimpse of the first residential courtyard of the Chettinadu house.

Given that first impressions are lasting, there was no expense spared to decorate the Thinnai. Almost like an office, the area would have tables for the accountants reporting to the males of the family. The Thinnai also served as a business area for the merchants. The verandah or Thinnaiis often elaborately decorated as it doubled up as a reception area for the family. This is yet another characteristic of the architecture of a Chettinad Home. (Chettinad Home) The grand Thinnai of the mansions of ChettinadĪn opulent wooden architecture greets you past its enormous gates. With this background in mind, it’s time to explore the aristocratic interiors of a Chettinad Veedu. Most of these homes have at least one floor that rises over each of their courtyards. Each courtyard serves a specific function. There are multiple courtyards in a single home.

The rooms are built around these courtyards termed as Valavu. One of the main characteristics of a Chettinad house architectural design is the presence of courtyards.

So if you are standing at the main door of the house and the backdoor is open, then you would be able to see the parallel lane. Inside the home of one of the Chettiar families in Kanadukathan.Ī Chettiar home extends from one end of the lane to the next. The locality is now popularly referred to as the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu. They set up their new base in 96 villages. The entire community felt they had enough of the proximity to water and migrated to a drier area. Then, came a devastating Tsunami that washed away their rich abodes. The Chettiars traded in salt, rice and gems were spread across the seas to include Ceylon, Burma and South East Asia including Malaysia. 12 The Eco-friendly construction of a Karaikudi MansionĬenturies ago, in the capital city of Cholas – Poompuhar, lived wealthy clans of merchants.11 Moonamkattu – The Kitchen of a Chettinad House.10 Valavu – the residential courtyard of a Chettinadu House.9 Wall, Murals & Floors in the mansions of Chettinad.8 Burma Teak Wood Doors of a Chettinad mansion.7 The grand Thinnai of the mansions of Chettinad.6 The Architecture of Chettinadu Mansion.5 Setting off on a tour of the Karaikudi Mansions.4 Where to find the Mansions of Chettinad?.1 History of Karaikudi and its mansions.Best you discover these through haveli-hopping in Bikaner.

#Abandoned castle courtyard description windows

The jharokha styled windows and the plinths add to the exquisite facade. Unlike the Chettinad mansions, their exterior facade is filled with red stone carvings. Rajasthani Havelis in Bikaner are a showcase of wealthy merchants who thrived on the Silk Route trade.

#Abandoned castle courtyard description full

And the most amazing part – there is a town full of them! With that introduction in place, get ready to be frenzied with the numerous stories on the mansions of Chettinad. Each competes with their neighbor on grandeur, originality and artwork. A lot of their ancestral homes are locked and then there are a few that have been converted into heritage stays. They belong to the affluent merchants who moved away for better fortunes. The tale of the Chettinad houses is quite similar to their Rajasthani counterparts. If I were to explain the fuss behind these mansions of Chettinad, I would say they are the South-Indian equivalent of the Rajasthani Havelis. One of the many ghost mansions of Chettinad