Kuthiramalika Palace

Practical guide

Plan Kuthiramalika Palace

Who's going?Tailor Kuthiramalika Palace to your trip

Typeheritage

AreaThiruvananthapuram city

DistrictThiruvananthapuram

Best timeChoose a museum visiting session and…

Time neededAllow about 1 hour for the museum, plus…

EntryBuy a palace museum ticket at the entrance

Places to visit8 Listed businesses75

Give the palace its own hour within an East Fort outing. The museum visit and temple worship have different entry arrangements, so choose them separately rather than expecting a single ticket or shared access.

The story

The horses are part of the building: carved brackets beneath the roof, repeated along the frontage. They reward a closer look at the palace’s woodwork, from the roof structure to the quieter details inside. Kuthiramalika means the palace of horses, and the name makes sense before you reach the collections.

The story of Kuthiramalika Palace

Swathi Thirunal commissioned the palace in the 1840s. Its Kerala architecture uses timber, sloping tiled roofs and shaded interiors suited to the climate. The museum adds another layer, with royal objects, sculptures, mirrors and paintings displayed inside rooms that were themselves made with considerable care.

Read the full history of Kuthiramalika Palace 44 more words

History

Also known as Puthenmalika, the palace was built for Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma. Kerala Tourism describes the 122 carved horses beneath its roof and the use of teak, rosewood, marble and granite.

Why visit

Carved horse brackets

Travancore palace interiors

Royal collections at East Fort

What to expect

Highlights

Carved horse brackets
Travancore palace interiors
Royal collections at East Fort

Getting there

How to visit

Go to the Puthenmalika/Kuthiramalika museum entrance beside the temple precinct.
Call 0471 2473952 for the museum’s visiting session; ask staff about indoor photography.
Pair the visit with an East Fort walk, allowing separately for any temple entry.

Distance by road

Kochi208 km
Madurai271 km
Kozhikode375 km
Coimbatore383 km
Mysuru541 km

Road km to Thiruvananthapuram; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.

Timing

Best time

Choose a museum visiting session and keep the surrounding street walk to the cooler part of the day.

Weather in Kuthiramalika PalaceSeasonal guide

Live forecast loads in your browser.

Today at Kuthiramalika Palace

Sunrise6:12 am

Sunset6:21 pm

Golden hour best light5:21 pm–6:21 pm

Blue hour after sunset6:21 pm–6:46 pm

Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 272°

Moon tonight🌓 First quarter · 53%

South-west monsoon. June to September is the south-west monsoon in Kerala. Expect heavy showers, mostly in bursts rather than all day — carry rain cover, allow extra time for getting around, and note that ferries and open-air sites are the first things affected.

Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.

Visitor notes

Kuthiramalika and the temple are separate visits.
Look at the exterior horse brackets before entering the galleries.

Safety

Good to know

Take care on old thresholds and stairs.
Keep clear of worship queues when moving through East Fort.

Photos

Kuthiramalika Palace in pictures

Ranked

More ways to explore Thiruvananthapuram city

Find food, accommodation and activities across Thiruvananthapuram city. Browse the guides for places to eat, stay and explore along your route.

Nearest to Kuthiramalika Palace, on foot

Walking routes start at Kuthiramalika Palace. Check the route and access before setting out, especially where a road, gate or waterway separates the stops.

Padmatheertha Pond338 m · 4 min
Josco Jewellers573 m · 7 min
Hotel Gauri Shankar611 m · 7 min
Vigneshwara Brahmins Restaurant868 m · 10 min
Vinz Fitness Centre919 m · 11 min
Arabian Tasty Cafe947 m · 11 min
Kailas Inn971 m · 12 min
KTDC Grand Chaithram1.3 km · 15 min
Apollo Dimora1.4 km · 17 min
Open house1.5 km · 19 min
Hotel horizon2.0 km · 24 min
Salkkaram Edavazhi2.2 km · 27 min

Ranked guides

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museumNapier Museum

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zooThiruvananthapuram Zoo

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templeAazhimala Shiva Temple

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templeThiruvallam Parasurama Temple

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heritageAnchuthengu Fort

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damAruvikkara Dam

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A hands-on science museum with the Priyadarshini Planetarium, popular with families and school groups.

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Before you go

Kuthiramalika Palace — at a glance

TimingsVisit during a museum session, not the temple’s worship hours.

Best timeChoose a museum visiting session and keep the surrounding street walk to the cooler part of the day.

Entry: Buy a palace museum ticket at the entrance; temple entry is separate.

Photography: Ask the museum staff about photography inside the galleries.

Getting here

How to reach Kuthiramalika Palace

✈︎ By air Thiruvananthapuram International Airport serves the city. Allow separately for the road transfer to your destination.
🚆︎ By train Thiruvananthapuram Central is the main city railhead. Continue to the attraction by city transport.
🚗︎ By road Go to the Puthenmalika/Kuthiramalika museum entrance beside the temple precinct.

Kerala Tourism: Kuthiramalika ↗

Getting back

East Fort is the transport landmark for your return. If you have a train to catch, leave time for the short onward journey to Thiruvananthapuram Central and station entry.

KSRTC— state bus operator; route and schedule enquiries.Online booking.

Do

Things to do

Look closely at the carved horse brackets beneath the roof.
Explore the royal collections alongside the palace’s timber interiors.

Plan

Good to know

Kuthiramalika and the temple are separate visits.
Look at the exterior horse brackets before entering the galleries.

Stay safe

Safety

Take care on old thresholds and stairs.
Keep clear of worship queues when moving through East Fort.

Getting around Kuthiramalika Palace

If you need step-free access, contact the site before travelling. Ask about a level entrance, steps along the route, the nearest drop-off point, seating and accessible toilets.

Practical things near Kuthiramalika Palace

ToiletsPublic toilet 366 m · 4 min walkCharges a feeMapped Dec 2021Directions Drinking waterDrinking water 522 m · 6 min walkMapped Jul 2026Directions Bus stopsEast Fort Bus stop132 m · 2 min walkMapped Jun 2024Directions Taxi & auto standsTaxi / auto stand 201 m · 2 min walkMapped Jun 2026Directions ParkingParking 363 m · 4 min walkCharges a feeMapped Dec 2021Directions FuelIndian Oil Fuel station595 m · 7 min walkOpen 24 hoursMapped Jul 2026Directions PharmacyShobha Medicals Pharmacy297 m · 4 min walkMapped Jun 2025Directions HospitalVasudeva Vilasam Aryavaidyasala and Nursing Home Hospital346 m · 4 min walkMapped Jul 2021Directions ClinicAradhana Eye Hospital 617 m · 7 min walkMapped Aug 2023Directions Police stationRPF Aid Post 948 m · 11 min walkMapped Aug 2016Directions ATMATM 140 m · 2 min walkMapped May 2026Directions BankKerala State Co-operative Bank 141 m · 2 min walkMapped Jul 2025Directions Water & snacksRation Shop Sreekanteswaram 444 m · 5 min walkMon–Sat 08:00–12:00, 16:00–19:00Surveyed Nov 2024Directions Groceries & bakeryFort Chips Bakery181 m · 2 min walkMapped May 2026Directions Barber & salonAnanthapuri Saloon 200 m · 2 min walkMapped May 2026Directions BookshopKurukshethra Books Bookshop170 m · 2 min walkMapped May 2026Directions Post officePost office 370 m · 4 min walkMapped Jan 2020Directions Somewhere to prayArishumoottil Ganapathi Temple 195 m · 2 min walkSurveyed Jun 2026Directions Park or gardenSammathi Park 985 m · 12 min walkMapped Nov 2023Directions Public art & memorialsMahatma Gandhi Public artwork400 m · 5 min walkMapped Jun 2026Directions

What the cash actually costs

Withdrawing from a bank that is not your own is free for a set number of times a month, then costs up to ₹23 plus GST — about ₹27 a withdrawal. This is not one of the RBI’s six metro centres, so the allowance here is the higher one: at least five free other-bank withdrawals a month, and at least five at your own bank.
That free allowance belongs to Indian bank accounts. On a card issued abroad your own bank’s international withdrawal and exchange charges apply instead. If the machine offers to bill you in your home currency, choose rupees — the conversion rate on that offer is set by the machine, not by your bank.
Choose a well-lit ATM, preferably at a bank branch. Shield your PIN, avoid help from strangers and use your bank’s support number if a withdrawal fails or the machine retains your card.

Charge cap and free-transaction limits: Reserve Bank of India, in force since 1 May 2025.

These services are listed within about 1.2 km of Kuthiramalika Palace. Walking distances follow mapped routes; access and opening hours can change. Other services may be closer but are not included here.

If you need help at Kuthiramalika Palace

112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).

100Police 101Fire 108Ambulance (emergency / EMS)1091Women’s helpline (distress)1098Child helpline 1363Tourist helpline (India, 24×7, multilingual)1515Pink Police Patrol (women & child safety)

Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.

Nearby

What’s near Kuthiramalika Palace

templeSree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Major Vishnu temple and one of Kerala’s most important pilgrimage landmarks; strict entry and dress rules apply.

250 m · 3 min walk

Directions Open guide

templePazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

A popular Ganapathy temple near East Fort, known for the coconut-breaking offering; run by the defence services.

500 m · 6 min walk

Directions Open guide

templeAttukal Bhagavathy Temple

Famous Devi temple in the city, home of the Attukal Pongala — recorded as the largest annual gathering of women.

2.4 km · 29 min walk

Directions Open guide

B

Beemapally Mosque

Place

mosqueBeemapally Mosque

A major coastal Muslim pilgrimage landmark south-west of the city centre, known for the Beemapally Uroos and the tombs honoured within the shrine complex.

3.1 km · ~8 min by auto · straight line

Directions Open guide

museumKerala Science and Technology Museum

A hands-on science museum with the Priyadarshini Planetarium, popular with families and school groups.

3.6 km · 7 min drive

Directions Open guide

museumNapier Museum

Robert Chisholm’s 1880 Indo-Saracenic museum in the Museum Park — a polychrome landmark holding Chola and Kerala bronzes, ivories and temple carts, with the Sree Chitra Art Gallery alongside it.

3.6 km · 6 min drive

Directions Open guide

zooThiruvananthapuram Zoo

Old trees, winding paths and animal enclosures share the Museum Park at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, also known as Trivandrum Zoo. Allow time for the garden as well as the collection, with the Napier Museum close by.

3.7 km · 7 min drive

Directions Open guide

heritageKanakakunnu Palace

Kanakakunnu puts a Travancore palace among gardens and cultural venues near Thiruvananthapuram’s Museum Park. Come for an evening walk or choose a date around a performance.

4.0 km · 7 min drive

Directions Open guide

templeThiruvallam Parasurama Temple

An ancient temple on the Karamana river, the district’s main site for ancestral (bali) rituals and rare for its Parasurama deity.

5.4 km · 7 min drive

Directions Open guide

beachShanghumukham Beach

Shanghumukham is Thiruvananthapuram’s evening shoreline: an open sea horizon, airport-side access and Kanayi Kunhiraman’s reclining mermaid sculpture. Come for a coastal walk and the changing light.

7.1 km · 9 min drive

Directions Open guide

templeKarikkakom Chamundi Temple

A well-known Chamundi Devi temple on the western edge of the city, busy during its festival season.

7.6 km · 11 min drive

Directions Open guide

backwaterAkkulam Lake

A calm backwater and boating spot near Veli with a lakeside tourist village and children’s park.

8.9 km · 12 min drive

Directions Open guide

All 8 places to visit in Thiruvananthapuram city →

Walking and driving times are real routed distances, except the few marked “straight line”, which are direct-line estimates and will read short. Fare figures are estimates from Kerala’s notified auto/taxi tariff and exclude waiting and night charges. Routing: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Nearby toilets, pharmacies, ATMs, seating and vets are community-mapped and may be incomplete or out of date. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Walking times © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT

On the map

Where Kuthiramalika Palace is

Good to know

Kuthiramalika Palace — frequently asked

How should I plan the visit?

Give the palace its own hour within an East Fort outing. The museum visit and temple worship have different entry arrangements, so choose them separately rather than expecting a single ticket or shared access.

When is the best time to visit Kuthiramalika Palace?

Choose a museum visiting session and keep the surrounding street walk to the cooler part of the day.

What are the entry fee and timings at Kuthiramalika Palace?

Entry: Buy a palace museum ticket at the entrance; temple entry is separate. Timings: Visit during a museum session, not the temple’s worship hours.

How do I reach Kuthiramalika Palace?

Go to the Puthenmalika/Kuthiramalika museum entrance beside the temple precinct. Call 0471 2473952 for the museum’s visiting session; ask staff about indoor photography. Pair the visit with an East Fort walk, allowing separately for any temple entry.

How much time do I need for Kuthiramalika Palace?

Allow about 1 hour for the museum, plus your East Fort walk.

What else is near Kuthiramalika Palace?

Nearby you can pair Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (250 m), Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple (500 m), Attukal Bhagavathy Temple (2.4 km), Beemapally Mosque (3.1 km).

What should I know before visiting Kuthiramalika Palace?

Take care on old thresholds and stairs. Keep clear of worship queues when moving through East Fort.

Read before you go

Kuthiramalika Palace guides, stories & itineraries

Stories & history of Kuthiramalika Palace

Written about Kuthiramalika Palace itself — its history, its legends and the arguments about them.

The long tiled range of Kuthiramalika palace seen across its lawn, with carved wooden brackets under the eaves and a pillared verandah below

Story

Kuthiramalika: the horse palace of a musician king

6 min read · Read →

A long row of carved wooden horse brackets under the tiled eaves of Kuthiramalika palace, each horse rearing out from a panel of foliate carving

Story

A Hundred and Twenty-Two Horses: How Kuthiramalika Was Built

8 min read · Read →

The pillared verandah of Kuthiramalika palace with visitors walking along it, seen across the lawn under the deep tiled roof

Story

Nineteen Rooms of Travancore: Inside Kuthiramalika

7 min read · Read →

Around Thiruvananthapuram city

These guides explore Thiruvananthapuram city and the surrounding area. Choose a visit that fits your interests, allowing separately for travel between stops.