Varikkasseri Mana

Varikkasseri Mana is a traditional Ettukettu Namboothiri ancestral home located at Manisseri near Ottapalam in Palakkad district, Kerala. Built in the early 20th century in classical Kerala architectural style, it is one of the largest and best-preserved manas in the state. Known for its extensive woodwork, courtyards, padippura and heritage character, it is famous as a major filming location for Malayalam cinema and as a heritage attraction.

Visitors can expect a large traditional Kerala mana complex built around multiple courtyards with tiled roofs, wooden pillars, carved details and a grand padippura entrance. The interior includes nalukettu and ettukettu structures, wooden floors and heritage rooms. The surroundings are quiet and rural with coconut groves. Visits are typically by prior permission and may include a guided walk through accessible courtyards and exterior areas, with opportunities for sightseeing and photography where permitted.

Varikkasseri Mana was built in 1902 by Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiripad, belonging to the Varikkasseri family. It is constructed as an Ettukettu with eight courtyards and exemplifies early 20th-century Kerala domestic architecture. It remains a rare, continuously maintained example of a large Namboothiri illam and has been preserved as a heritage property.

The mana represents the traditional lifestyle and architecture of Kerala Namboothiri Brahmins and is an important example of Kerala cultural heritage. It is culturally significant as one of the most filmed heritage houses in Malayalam cinema, featuring in films such as Devasuram and Aaraam Thampuran, which has contributed to its recognition as a cultural landmark.