Kerala Museums

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Kuthiramalika Palace Museum Trivandrum



Tourist Information:
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum,
Trivandrum.
Ph: 2473952

Entry Fees:
Indian Nationals Rs 10
Children Rs 3
Foreign Nationals Rs 20

Museum Timings: 8.30am to1 pm and 3-5 .30 pm (Monday closed) Camera Fee 15 (no photo inside)

Visitors to the museum must remove footwear before entering the inner palace and must be accompanied by a guide. The guide waits for a batch of at least 5 visitors to accompany.

Location And History:

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is Trivandrum’s most salient landmark Right next-door, in the East Fort, stands the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum also called the Puttan Malika Palace. This enclosure of several palaces forms the nexus of the Trivandrum Fort. Built in the 19th century by the famous poet monarch of Travancore, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, the Kuthiramalika Palace preserves the relics that represent the rich heritage of the erstwhile state of Travancore.

Architecture and Importance:

This majestic palace museum is a fine example of Kerala Architecture. As one approaches inner palace, attention is drawn to the spectacularly carved slanting wooden beams of the upper galleries. The horses carved out here are astoundingly lifelike.

Display And Attraction:

The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum displays King Swathi Thirunal’s paintings and collection of musical instruments and an assortment of war arms belonging to the royal family of Travancore. The very first room tourists enter exhibits 14 life-size images portraying stills from the legends of Kerala and the traditional dance form of Kerala, Kathakali. Visitors are fascinated by the exquisitely carved ivory cots and thrones of the rulers. A musical tree that reproduces the seven 'swaras' or notes of Carnatic music when tapped is a major draw. The display of both objet d'art and arms of war points to the royals’ inclination of winning over the hearts of men by pacific and cultural means rather than by outright warfare and their immense spiritual maturity.

The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is a major tourist attraction of the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram and is easily accessible. Located at a distance of about 1 km from the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Junction and about 6 km from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the museum truly showcases the beautiful spirit of the state of Kerala and reveals to the international visitor glimpses of the glorious history of India.

Keywords: Kerala tourism, about kerala, kerala museums, kerala colleges, kerala schools

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Napier Museum Trivandrum



Tourist Information:
Napier Museum,
Trivandrum.
Ph: 2316275 / 2318294

Entry Fees:
Entry fee Rs 4-Rs12
Museum Timings: Wednesdays: 1 pm- 5 pm, Other Days: 9 am to5 pm (Monday closed)
Other Holidays: 26th Jaunary, 15th August, Thiruvonam and Mahanavami.

The use of plastics is prohibited within the museum precincts.

Location And History:
The Napier Museum is one of the oldest museums of India. A contemporary of the Indian Museum Calcutta and Madras Government Museum, this beautiful and historic repository of the relics and treasured possessions of Kerala was built in 1857 at the bidding of Maha Raja Uthram Thirunal, His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Padmanabha Dasa Vanchi Pala Marthanda Varma II, Kulashekara Kiritapati Mannaneya Sultan Bahadur Shamsher Jung, Raja of Travancore. The old building that housed the museum was demolished and the foundation for the new building named after Lord John Napier, the Governor General of Madras presidency was laid in 1874. The famous architect Robert Chisholm of Madras University Senate and Victoria Memorial fame was commissioned the project the construction was complete by 1880.

Architecture and Importance:
The most intriguing feature of the museum is its architecture. The magnificent edifice stands in the lush observatory gardens, a symbol of the architectural ebullience achieved by combining Chinese and Mughal styles with Kerala's traditional forms of construction. The celestial beauty of the construction was imparted by bewitching brush of Chisholm. The tall minarets, gothic roofs and stained glass windows and the vivid use of colors such as blue, pink, yellow, red and white make it a dreamy sight. High arches, intricately carved balconies, red and white grilles and stone ornamentations give the museum its enamoring charms. The building sports a natural air conditioning system.

Display And Attraction:
The Napier Museum has an astounding display of traditional Kerala chariots and ivory carvings. It is furnished with an array of priceless aesthetic and ethnic antiques such as stone sculptures, wood and ivory carvings, lamps, fabrics, Kathakali miniatures, handicrafts, Kuftgiri items, musical instruments and a collection of the Chera, Chola, Pandya coins. The bronze idols on display include figurines of Hindu Gods such as Siva, Vishnu, Parvathi and Lakshmi of the 8th to 18th century. The museum displays an idol of Vishnu from the 8th century which has been garnered from the Ambalapuzha temple and is the oldest known metal image of Kerala. The stone sculptures too are of the same time period. The sculpture called Shiva with Sati is a major attraction. A four hundred year old clock and a herbal coat used by the Maharajas of Travancore are among the crowd pullers.

This museum located beside the Mascot Hotel of Thiruvananthapuram City, the capital of Kerala. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Railway Junction provide access to this lovely city.

Keywords: Kerala tourism, about kerala, kerala museums, kerala colleges, kerala schools

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Pazhassiraja Museum



Since yore, Calicut or Kozhikode has been the site of historical significance. It is the land of spices and affluence that lured people from the Middle East and the Western and European countries, 500 years ago. It was once the trading and ruling capital of the famous Zamorins. Above all Calicut (Kozhikode) became internationally famous when the feted European (Portuguese) sailor- Vasco Da Gama discovered the first sea route to India in 1498 by landing at Kappad in Calicut. Thus this notable coastal town is the repository of historical events. The Pazhassiraja Museum in Kozhikode encloses the historical artifacts and other objects that are testimony to the noted history of Kozhikode.

Location- The Pazhassiraja Museum lies about 5 kms from Kozhikode at East Hill in the Kozhikode district of North Kerala. This museum stands adjacent to the renowned Art Gallery that exhibits the celebrated paintings of the internationally-famed oil-painting artist Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) and his uncle Raja Raja Varma.

This museum is under the supervision of the State Archaeology Department of Kerala.

History- The Art Gallery and the Pazhassiraja Museum are named after the illustrious Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma who belonged to the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam Royal family. Popularly known as the Lion of Kerala , this valorous personality led the remarkable 'Pazhassi Revolt' during the second half of 1700 against the British East India Company. He is also Pazhassiraja is also accredited with the introduction of the guerilla warfare in the Wayanad hills to resist British colonial powers. However this patriotic fighter was shot dead on 30 November 1805.

Displays – The museum exhibits-

Exquisite mural paintings
Age-old bronze objects
Antique coins,
Carvings of ancient temples
Rare umbrella stones
Dolmenoid Cists (quadrangular sepultures with capstones)

The art gallery displays the oil paintings and other beautiful art works of Raja Ravi Varma.

Connectivity
By Air – The nearest airport is the Karipur International Airport, located about 23 km from Kozhikode town.

By Rail-The nearest railway station is Kozhikode Railway Station.
Keywords: Kerala tourism, about kerala, kerala museums, kerala colleges, kerala schools