S.V. Nagaram Aranmanai - Arani

Place : S.V Nagaram Aranmanai
People : Mega, Arivoli, Vinnoli, Srini, Aathi, Raju

When I was looking for interesting places to visit, my Friend Arivoli took me to all these places in vellore

After that his brother Vinnoli found for me Poosimalai Kuppam Aranmanai

And now his mother pointed us S.V.Nagaram Aranmanai in Arani. She had been to this place in her sixth standard and could neither remember the way nor the exact location, which is too much to ask considering that was so long back. Anyway all that I would need is a name and she gave it. Hence I was waiting for a chance to go to this place and when my friend Dhamu's marriage happened it was settled.

My searches on the place yielded little information except the fact that it was near Arani and now a Govt Agriculture department was functioning in its place.
When I knew that a govt office was functioning, I had doubts of seeing the place fully or without any hassles. And it happened the same way. When we entered the premises and requested permission to see around the place, we were promptly denied permission. The second time, they relented and gave permission and left us alone.

We started going around the place with a spoilt mood due to the behaviour of the govt officials.

Entrance :



It seems there are 2 big buildings inside the campus and we will first look at the one that is visible from the road.

Front view :




Inside view:










Entry :

All the doors of the palace were locked and we had to go through the opening in this door.



The room :



Remains of a college that must have been functioning in this place.



Window Decorations:

The highlights of this palace was the decorative windows and the pillars. We will have a look at some of the windows.



















Wooden Pillars :

The Wooden pillars were out of place in this palace since these were the only place where there was wooden pillars.







Ceiling Decorations :





Pillars :










Owl :

There was a single specimen of this owl. I still dont know whether this was a a real bird or a sculpture.



Stair Case inside the palace



Balcony :





Outer :

The outside of the palace read that a Veterinary hospital had been functioning out of this palace. Hmmm... People have abused this palace as much as they can.













Garden :

Since the agriculture department is functioning now, I think they have developed a garden.



Water Fountain :

This must have been a water fountain.



Second Aranmanai :

This is the second building inside the campus.








Paintings:

The highlight of the palace was the pillars, window decorations and the paintings on the ceilings.








Glass :

To my untrained eyes, even this glass looks to be a work of art.



Some Motto :



Finally the palace is a work of art and must have been beautiful in its time, but now is in ruins.

It is a very good candidate for the TTDC to take over and make it a tourist spot like Nayakkar Mahal in Madurai.

Poosimalai Kuppam Aranmanai

Place: Poosimalai Kuppam Aranmanai
Date: 1-11-2008
People : Mega,Arivoli,Srini,Dhamu,Balaji
Vehicles: Pulsar,Fiero,Splendor

Just to recap, I had gone to Vellore to attend my friend Raju's Wedding and had visited Kottaimalai near padavedu.

And after we returned from Kottaimalai and thinking about the plan for the next day, after the marriage gets over, people suggested a worn down,unused,not taken care of Palace in the nearby village.

"uncared for, Worn down" were words that I liked and hence we decided to go the palace.

I have never been to a Chettinadu Palace and it quickly occurred to me that this could be one like it.

Thanks to Vinnoli for finding this place.

The way to the Palace was devoid of any habitation but the roads were Very good.

Front view:




Entrance



Side view

There were Iron Pillars from Glasgow,England.



Steps

The steps,Pillars and all the Walls were of high quality finish , that is not achievable nowadays and the Civil Engineers amongst us was quick to say that the high quality finish
was possible due to the addition of lime mortar and that practices has completely stopped now. He also said Infosys is one client who requests such finishes.




Paintings

The Walls were pasted with floral designs, which I believe were Paper. But its tough to decide by looking at it now.




Walls

The Outer walls were also of high quality due to the high quality bricks that seem to have been used. Each brick was in perfect shape.



FirePlace:

Once inside our task was to identify the prupose of each room. This one was a easy one and its fireplace. :-)



Top






Emblem

I am not sure about the below one , but this one looks to be a Royal Emblem of sorts.




Side view



After spending some 2 hours at the place we were left to wonder what it would have looked like when it was new and being used.
The palace has a outlook which we might label as British, but has Indian pillars and Arches commonly seen in Mughal architecture.
The place was a good mixture of English,Muslim and Hindu architectural elements.
We were lef wondering at the craftsmanship of Indian masons.

The Palace is constructed in a very good place such that it is completely surrounded by hills on three sides.

I later learn that , a Zameendar from this place who had studied in England had married a English woman and constructed this palace for her.

The place is in ruins now and I believe is cared by noone in particular. I hope the TN Archeaology Dept takes over this site and maintains it.

How to Go:

Go to Arcot and ask for Poosimalai Kuppam.