Kuthiramalika Palace

Kuthiramalika Palace: An overview

A stunning palace and museum complex in Trivandrum, Kuthiramalika Palace, or Puthenmalika Palace, is an architectural wonder that offers a peek into the royal history and heritage of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom.

It was built by the then Maharaja of Travancore in the traditional Kerala style of architecture with beautiful carvings, intricate woodwork, landscaped courtyards, and sloping roofs bearing 122 wooden horse sculptures that have given it the name Kuthiramalika (Palace of Horses)!

The palace also has a museum that invites travelers with its exquisite treasure of royal artifacts, vivid paintings, musical instruments, ancient documents, bejeweled ornaments, royal furniture, robes and dresses, weapons, and more.

Best time to visit Kuthiramalika Palace

The winter season from October to February is the ideal time to visit Kuthiramalika.

The weather in Thiruvananthapuram is pleasant and cool during this time in the morning and evening, making this season perfect for exploring this beautiful palace and nearby places.

Visitors can also enjoy the annual Swathi Sangeethotsavam festival at the palace during this time. Held in January, the event is a rich blend of cultural dance performances, royal feasts, and classical music played by renowned musicians.

The temperature during this time stays between 22° and 32° and is pleasant enough for outdoor activities.

While the summer in Trivandrum is hot and humid, the monsoon brings heavy rainfall, making both these seasons unsuitable for a trip.

Kuthiramalika timings and entry fee

Kuthiramalika Palace opens to visitors between 8:30 AM to 1 PM, followed by a lunch break, and then from 3 PM to 5:30 PM.

The palace is closed on Mondays.

The entry fee of Kuthiramalika Palace is INR 20/- for adults and INR 10/- for kids. If you wish to carry a camera on the premises, you’re expected to pay an additional charge of INR 50/- per person.

How to reach Kuthiramalika Palace

The palace is located in the East Fort area in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It sits next to the revered Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Its central location makes it easily accessible from all places in Trivandrum.

You can use a variety of means to reach Trivandrum and this palace from different places in India and abroad.

By air

Trivandrum International Airport is a mere 4 km away from Kuthiramalika Palace Museum. You will find many taxis, prepaid cabs, tuk-tuks, and KSRTC buses at the airport to take you to your destination.

Trivandrum International Airport is connected to all major and minor cities in India as well as many countries in Europe and the Middle East.

By train

Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is just 2 km from the palace and has an extensive system of taxis, autorickshaws, and KSRTC buses to take you wherever you need to go!

By car

Kuthiramalika Palace is well-connected to different parts of the city and other nearby cities by a smooth road network.

You can easily drive to the palace, take a taxi, or hire a tuk-tuk to reach it from within the city or the places around it. The palace has ample parking space for visitors.

You can also book a cab online at affordable rates to take a sightseeing tour of the city and see this palace along with other attractions with ease and comfort.

By bus

There is a regular bus service of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation in the city and to its nearby cities.

You’ll be able to find frequent buses to East Fort at regular intervals in the day from every corner of the city. Kuthiramalika is at walking distance from the bus stop.

Things to do at Kuthiramalika Palace Trivandrum

Several royal experiences await you at this grand palace and museum complex!

→ Wander around the palace complex: Explore the many corridors and halls of the palace, admire its intriguing architecture, and marvel at the detailed woodwork, murals, and carvings.

→ Explore Kuthiramalika Museum: You’ll be fascinated by the museum’s vast collection of royal memorabilia, ancient artifacts, scrolls, weapons, ornaments, ivory thrones, dress robes studded with jewels, crystal items, rare musical instruments, and intricately carved sculptures.

→ Stroll amid the courtyards: The beautiful palace grounds and landscaped gardens with vibrant flower beds and sculptures too are something to write home about! You can take a refreshing walk amid them like the royalty of old!

→ Attend the Swathi Sangeethotsavam festival: Visit Kuthiramalika in January to witness the most vibrant palace festival of Swathi Sangeethotsavam. Watch cultural dance performances and listen to soulful classical music composed by famous musicians!

→ Take tons of pictures: The palace interiors and the stunning gardens make for beautiful backdrops for pictures! While photography is not allowed inside the museum, you can click to your heart’s content in all other places in the palace complex.

→ Visit nearby places: You must also pay a visit to nearby attractions like the revered Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, and Trivandrum Zoo.

→ Explore East Fort: You cannot visit East Fort and just check out the one palace! This historic region is famed for its vintage vibes, markets, souvenir shops, and several historical landmarks like Abhedananda Ashram and Anantha Vilasam Palace.

Dive into the royal heritage and regal history of the Travancore Kingdom with a visit to the popular Kuthiramalika Palace Trivandrum! Whether you’re a history lover or an archeology enthusiast, a trip to this wonderful palace will blow your mind!