MAYA IS AN ILLUSION
THESE MOMENTS IN LIFE ARE FLEETING GLIMPSES PASSING JOYS AND SORROWS BUT BEYOND THESE VEILED PERCEPTIONS IS A FAR DEEPER TRUTH
Villa Maya is an upscale award winning restaurant showcasing global cuisine presented in an elegant, restored 18th-century home with a garden patio.
The Place
Welcome to Villa Maya, a lovingly restored 18th century Dutch manor that once enjoyed the attention of the royal house of Travancore. In the spirit of its noble heritage it continues to exude timeless elegance through contemporary design and haute cuisine.
The Cuisine
Trivandrum’s culinary history inspired us to combine traditional cuisine with contemporary style. The menu presents a wide repertoire of cuisine from the countries that historically traded with Kerala. The menu is a gastromonical journey through Kerala, India, Morocco and Italy. Each dish has been carefully handpicked for its cultural heritage, authenticity and resonance with the tastes of Kerala and is presented in a multisensory delight of exciting flavours, textures and aromas.
The Mystique
The famous Arumana Ammaveedu was one of four ammaveedus to rise to prominence towards the end of the 18th century. Ammaveedus were the residences of the consorts of the Maharajahs of Travancore in Trivandrum. The royal consorts were given the title Panapillai Amma and were entitled to certain royal privileges except the fortune of inheriting the throne.
Experience a fully restored 18th century Dutch Manor.
Welcome to Villa Maya, a lovingly restored 18th century Dutch manor that once enjoyed the attention of the royal house of Travancore. In the spirit of its noble heritage it continues to exude timeless elegance through contemporary design and haute cuisine.
Villa Maya is a treasure trove of subtle sensory delights; a theatre of the senses meticulously crafted to offer you an escape into serenity. Authentic traditional cuisines from around the world are exquisitely plated to harmonise with its classical architecture, minimal style and carefully selected art and craft pieces, creating an experience of beauty and grace.
We have introduced sophisticated dining experiences. We believe in comfort, privacy and finesse and each of our varied dining spaces have been individually styled to suit your every mood and celebration. At Villa Maya you will discover there is no separation, only a surrender to the immediacy of your senses.
Experience Award Winning Cuisine.
Trivandrum has been at the centre of the spice trade for over three millennia and has contributed unique and exotic flavours to global cuisine.
Trivandrum’s culinary history inspired us to combine traditional cuisine with contemporary style. The menu presents a wide repertoire of cuisine from the countries that historically traded with Kerala. The menu is a gastronomical journey through Kerala, India, Morocco and Italy. Each dish has been carefully handpicked for its cultural heritage, authenticity and resonance with the tastes of Kerala and is presented in a multisensory delight of exciting flavours, textures and aromas.
At Villa Maya, food is more than just the taste – It is, along with an exhilarating experience, a journey into the past. Not just the preparation, the presentation too reminds one of India’s rich cultural heritage.
The antique spice box, used as a serving bowl, accentuates the unique flavours of spices in our kebabs and elevates the experience – not just the taste but also appeal, flavour, aroma and offers invaluable glimpses into our ancient culture.
Experience the Mystique being the legacy.
According to legend, the site of Thiruvananthapuram was once a jungle known as Anantan Kādu, this place gained prominence as the abode of Lord Padmanabha. The history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th century, the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the hooded Serpent.
The name of the city of Thiruvananthapuram in Malayalam translates to “The City of Lord Ananta”, referring to the deity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which is believed to be the world’s richest temple.
Kings & Royalty offering gifts and contributions to temples was common in India, but dedicating the entire kingdom & ruling a kingdom on behalf of Lord Padmanabha as a servant (dasa) is unique to the Padmanabha swamy temple & the kingdom of Travancore.
Villa Maya’s story goes back many years to a time when Arumana ammaveedu held a prestigious place in the hearts of the kings of Travancore. Its tryst with royalty delves far beyond its 18th century avatar as a Dutch manor, dating back probably to the time when Maharajah Karthika Thirunal Dharma Raja shifted his capital from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) taking along with him his four wives one of whom belonged to the Arumana Ammaveedu.
The famous Arumana Ammaveedu was one of four Ammaveedus to rise to prominence towards the end of the 18th century. Ammaveedus were the residences of the consorts of the Maharajahs of Travancore in Trivandrum. The royal consorts were given the title Panapillai Amma and were entitled to certain royal privileges except the fortune of inheriting the throne.
The male members of ammaveedu families were called Thampi and the women were called Thankachi. The literal translation means brother and sister respectively. This indicated their position as relatives of the Royal House of Travancore. Marriage did not entitle consorts or their descendents with inheritance to the throne. The royal family of Travancore was strictly matrilineal meaning that the throne was inherited by the descendents of the king’s sister, and not by the king’s son or daughter.
Arumana ammaveedu has an interesting tale to tell. Like all ammaveedus it started off with humble beginnings gaining stature through marriage into the royal families of Travancore. The thankachis of Arumana Ammaveedu were the consorts to many kings, starting from Dharmaraja , Bala Rama Varma and Visakam Tirunal Rama Varma.
The original ammaveedu was an ettukettu, a traditional Kerala house with two courtyards. Parts of it were demolished and replaced by European architecture during the time of Maharaja Visakam Tirunal. In its renaissance as Villa Maya its fabled past continues to linger in its classical architecture, traditional cuisine and sophisticated style, mindful of its illustrious legacy.