Just south-east of the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram stands Kuthiramalika — properly the Puthen Malika, or “new mansion.” Built in the 1840s by the Travancore king Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, it is one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala palace architecture, and it takes its popular name from a small army of horses.
The mansion of horses
Kuthiramalika means “mansion of horses,” for the 122 wooden horses carved into the bracket-ends that support the southern roof — each galloping out from under the eaves. Inside, the palace is a lesson in Kerala craftsmanship: teak, rosewood, marble and granite; sloping roofs and pillared verandahs; sixteen main rooms, each said to be built to a different pattern.
The composer on the throne
The palace is inseparable from the king who built it. Swathi Thirunal ruled Travancore in the early nineteenth century, but he is remembered above all as a musician and composer — a master of both the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions who wrote hundreds of compositions still sung today. On the first floor, an alcove is preserved where he is said to have meditated and composed. Each January, the Swathi Sangeethotsavam music festival is held here in his memory.
A palace museum
Kuthiramalika is now a museum, its rooms holding portraits, thrones, weapons, musical instruments and objects of the Travancore royal house — a quiet, atmospheric counterpoint to the great temple next door.
Visiting
The palace is at East Fort, steps from the Padmanabhaswamy temple; it is closed on Mondays, and timings are on the Kuthiramalika place page. Explore the capital from the Thiruvananthapuram hub.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Kuthiramalika?
Kuthiramalika means “mansion of horses,” after the 122 wooden horses carved into the wall brackets under the palace’s southern roof. Its official name is Puthen Malika, “the new mansion.”
Who was Swathi Thirunal?
Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma was the early-19th-century maharaja of Travancore who built Kuthiramalika. He is best remembered as a prolific composer in both the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions; the annual Swathi Sangeethotsavam honours him.
Can you visit Kuthiramalika palace?
Yes — it is now a museum of the Travancore royal house, next to the Padmanabhaswamy temple at East Fort. It is generally closed on Mondays; confirm current timings before visiting.