Kuthira Malika

Kuthira Malika (Puthan Malika) is a palace on the southeastern side of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple which was built in the 1940s by Sree Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. With its typical sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, pillared verandahs, and walled courtyards, Kuthiramalika is an illustration of traditional Keralan architecture.

Exploring Royal Elegance: The Intricate Marvels of Kuthira Malika Palace

The timber ceilings are decorated with intricate carvings, each chamber having a unique design. The 122 horses carved into the wooden wall brackets supporting the southern roof gave the palace its name Kuthira Malika (Mansion of horses). The palace is a piece of a sizable complex of royal structures near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. After Swathi Thirunal died in 1846, the structure remained untouched for more than a century.

A portion of Kuthiramalika has been transformed into a palace museum, which now contains some of the Travancore Royal Family’s possessions. There are 80 rooms in the palace, but only 20 are accessible to guests. Inside the palace, there is a guided tour available. 14 life-size Kathakali mannequins, Belgian and Italian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, a huge Belgian harpoon, weapons, musical instruments, traditional furniture, Greek statues, a musical tree that makes eight sounds when tapped, and other artifacts are among the collections found in the palace.

Plan Your Visit to Kuthira Malika: Practical Details and Best Times to Explore

Kuthira Malika is easily accessible by road and one can visit this place from 8:30 AM to 1 PM & 3 PM to 5:30 PM except for Mondays and public holidays. The entry fee to Kuthira Malika is INR 10 for adults and INR 3 for Children. One can visit Kuthira Malika throughout the year but the best time to visit is in the second week of January (6 to 12) when the Swathi Sangeetothsvam takes place.

Kuthira Malika is easily accessible by road and located on the southeastern side of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central located just 2 kilometers away and the closest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport located 3.5 kilometers away from Kuthira Malika.