According to available documents, Domba Heggade ruled Vitla from 1426 AD for some years. However, the control of Domba Heggade family over Vitla continued till 1784, untill Tippu Sultan murdered Achyutha Heggade in an attack. Later, the royal family left the palace of Vitla and moved to Thalassery in Kerala. When the royal family returned after some years, the palace was completely burnt. This is the story one can get from the pages of history about Domba kingdom and the palace.
On the other hand, according to the localites, the Vitla palace covered an area of one square furlong and the prayer room of the old palace has been converted into a ‘bana’.
While the stone frames of the doors are covered with plants and anthills, the giant door, known as elephant door of the old palace is covered under rubbles. A stone sculpture which is known as ‘Shakthi kallu’ is in courtyard of the old palace. The size and design of the old palace can be imagined through the doorframe of prayer room.
Similarly, the courtyard of the palace is surrounded by three wells. While one well was reserved for the members of the royal family, the other two wells were meant for guests.
However, the courtyard of the palace is now converted into a paddy field and a road passes through the palace land. In fact, the elephant door frame is the only clue about giant size of the old palace.
New palace
When royal family returned from Thalassery, they had to have a palace in the same place. So they built a smaller palace which now exists in Vitla. This palace has a history of 250 years. A family of 30 members is living in this palace. Though it is said to be much smaller in size when comapred with the old palace, it gives an idea of the old house with its ‘Elephant’ doors, stone poles, hall and door frames.
Domba kingship followed ‘Aliakattu’ or ‘Matrupradhana’ system, which the bunts follow even to this day.
At present, Janardhana Verma heads the family. As many as 16 temples come under the family.
Ardent devotees of Lord Durgaparameshwari and Ullalti Panchalingeshwara, the Vitla kingdom was well known for their philanthropic work. It is said that the family helped and donated land irrespective of caste or creed including Muslims and Christians.
Localites also say that there was a wall kind of structure, a part of the old fort.
But historians said to have destroyed that structure to “find out” more information about the place. If the authorities concerned take little interst, the place where the old palace existed and now in a pathetic condition may be improved or converted into a tourist spot.
How to reach
From Mangalore, it is easy to reach Vitla. Interested can take a bus to Vitla and get down in old KSRTC bus stand. From bus stand, it takes few minutes to reach Vitla palace by walk.