HISTORY

Originally named Cherangottil Tharavadu, the estate comprised two traditional buildings constructed in the last decade of colonial India. Erected by the aristocratic Cherangottil family along the Bharathappuzha River in 1938, the current owner meticulously restored the entire property in 2020 to meet the highest hospitality standards, renaming it Nivriti. Registered under the Kerala Tourism’s Grihasthali category for heritage homes older than 50 years, it stands as a testament to timeless elegance and historic charm.

The traditional architecture of the dwellings is based on the Keralan treatises of yore — Manushyalaya Chandrika and Vastu Purusha Mandala, which laid out the best practices for building homes to suit prevailing climatic conditions. A particular highlight is using indigenous materials such as clay, wood, stone, and palm leaves in the construction. The structures are constructed on a high plinth to protect the interiors from seasonal flooding. In the past, the steeply sloped tiled roof kept the rain out and prohibited thieves from climbing down and robbing the granary.

The property was dilapidated at the time of transfer, and the Pathayappura’s dining and kitchen sections had collapsed. In the past, this area was used to process harvested paddy by boiling and drying it. It is now renovated as a dining room and kitchen. Most floor tiles after renovation have a red-oxide finish to emulate the original look, while the room floor tiles are cement finished. The Pathayappura has a Thattu (attic) that is large enough for a person to stand in it and is currently used for storage. The Tharavadu was originally larger, but to be Vaastu-compliant, it had to be altered, and the kitchen shifted to its current location. The walls of the Tharavadu’s existing dining hall are made of black granite, providing a natural cooling effect.