Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
Officially named the Puthen Malika Palace Museum, this palace was home to Swathi Thirunal, the famed statesman, social reformer and musician who ruled Travancore. The courtyard hosts the Swathi Sangeethotsavam in his memory every year.
Officially named the Puthen Malika Palace Museum, this palace was home to Swathi Thirunal, the famed statesman, social reformer and musician who ruled Travancore. The courtyard hosts the Swathi Sangeethotsavam in his memory every year.
122 horses carved into the wall brackets of the southern roof gives this museum dating from the 1840s, its popular name Kuthira Malika - Mansion of Horses
On display is the collection of the royal Travancore family
- Traditional Kerala architectural style of curving roofs, enclosed courtyards, overhanging eaves. The first floor retains the alcove where Swathi Thirunal composed his music, a library and an audience chamber
- Swati Thirunal's ivory throne and Bohemiam crystal throne with the Travancore conch emblem on the backrest
- Swati Thirunal being a connoisseur of music, a collection of rare musical instruments
- Belgian chandeliers
- Kathakali manequins with ivory cradles on either side
- Jewellery of the royal family
- White marble sculptures and idols
- Artefacts from China
- A painting that creates an illusion that Shri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma is staring at you wherever you go and his shoes like the portrait's gaze follows you wherever you go. The master who painted it? None other than Svetoslav Roerich, nephew of the famed Nicholas Roerich. More of his paintings are on display at Napier Museum's Sri Chitra Art Gallery.
Timings: Open Tuesday to Saturday daily 8:30 am to 1 noon, 3 pm to 5:30 pm
How to Reach: It is at the East Fort side of Thiruvanthapuram, near the Padmanabhaswamy temple. The Thiruvanthapuram Central railway station is just a km away, while the Thirvanthapuram airport is 6 km away.
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