In Kerala, India, a Kovilakam (Malayalam: കോവിലകം) is the principal manor, estate or palace of a princely Kshatriya (Thampuran, Koyi Thampuran, Thampan, Thirumulpad) or Samantan and Samantha Kshatriya lineages of ruling dynasties.
[1] A chief princely lineage of Kerala consists of several Kovilakams representing different matrilineal branches of the same family from which the individual members could ascend to the status of Raja in accordance to their seniority in age within the lineage.
The Kovilakam residences are usually large and beautiful manors or palaces with extensive wood work and mural paintings in the traditional medieval Kerala architecture style.
A Kovilakam was usually endowed with estates and properties (crown lands), sufficient for the maintenance of its constituent members.
However, there are instances when such members on ascending to a station have preferred to stay back in their Kovilakams of birth.