Kowdiar Palace: Kerala's first elevator fully operational again

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The elevator at Kowdiar Palace, touted to be the first in Kerala, is back to functional mode after a long bout with repair works. This rare mechanical genius was brought from Italy during the reign of Maharaja Chithira Thirunnal.

This elevator was manufactured by a company called ‘Stingrer’. According to an old media report, the work for the elevator inside the palace was done under the leadership of Balaramapuram Bhagavathinada native Thankappan Achari.

The grills and other essentials in the elevator are made up of wood. The maximum capacity for the lift is three people at a time. Aditya Varma, son of Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi of the royal family, had previously revealed about the elevator through his YouTube channel.

“I have heard that it was brought in 1945. Everything is made up of wood and is said to be the first elevator in Kerala. A maximum of three people can use it at a time.” Aditya revealed this through his YouTube channel.