Kuthiramalika Palace Museum

Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma constructed the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, also known as the Puthenmalika Palace Museum. The palace, which was constructed in the 18th century, is just a short distance from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple's eastern entrance. The 122 horses that support the southern roof were carved in a distinctive design out of teak wood, giving the palace its name. It is still unclear why the palace's main entrance faces south. The structure has significant architectural beauty and worth.
The palace, officially known as Puthen Malika, is a component of a sizable complex of royal structures near Padmanabhaswamy Temple. After Maharaja Swathi Thirunal's death in 1847, the structure remained abandoned for over a century. On April 1st, 1995, the palace's sixteen rooms were made public as a museum. In order to satisfy the needs of a modern Indian museum, the aforementioned 16 rooms were updated and reorganised in 2016–17. Additionally, three new rooms with additional exhibits were opened.
Each chamber has a particular style of wood-carved ceiling, and the upper margins of the walls are decorated with tiny, exquisite flowers. Granite pillars with elaborate decorations support the palace's ground floor roof. Even in the sweltering summer months, the palace's floor remains cold and smooth because to the use of egg whites, black charcoal derived from coconut shell, and slaked lime. Although only a fraction of the palace is accessible to the public, a visit will provide an insight into the lifestyle of the Travancore monarchs.
The museum's displays mostly consist of wooden Kathakali figures, portraits of the Travancore royals, and paintings by well-known artists like Mr. Roerich and Raja Ravi Varma. Dozens of Swords, daggers, darts, knives, spears, weapons made of horns of antelopes with metal tips, shield made of rhinoceros skin, Ivory throne of Swathi Thirunal, Crystal-glass throne of Visakom Thirunal (gift received from Czekoslovakia), Bronze sculptures of Chola styles which belongs to 10th to 14th century AD. idols of Anjaneya, Rama, and Krishna. The amazing collections contain several non-Indian exhibits as well as extremely rare wooden, marble, and stone sculptures of diverse styles and eras, created in different regions of our nation, and ivory cradles.
Kuthiramalika Palace is a famous landmark that offers an intriguing look into Kerala's illustrious past. Kuthiramalika literally means "Mansion of Horses." The name comes from the 122 grinning horses carved on the wooden wall brackets that support the southern roof of this magnificent building. Many indigenous Indian art forms, particularly those from the south, were intended to be preserved and promoted by this palace.
( https://mythiruvananthapuram.in/ https://thiruvananthapuramtravels.com/ )
( mythiruvananthapuram - thiruvananthapuramtravels )
Made of teakwood, rosewood, marble, and granite, Kuthiramalika Palace is a superb illustration of the Kerala architectural style. White marble idols and sculptures, Kathakali figures, Belgian mirrors, and paintings may all be found in the Kuthiramalika museum. These goods were made feasible by the thriving spice trade between Kerala and the rest of the world.
Additionally, Kuthiramalika Palace features a distinctive Navarathri Mandapam in front of the palace, where numerous concerts and other significant events take place. Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, the King of Travancore and a renowned poet, singer, social reformer, and politician, is credited with creating the palace. The palace features distinctive wood carvings that are characteristic of the Travancore architectural style. The royal family's rare treasures and paintings are on exhibit in the palace's museum.

Museum of Kuthiramalika Palace
In Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, Kuthiramalika Palace is situated near the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. With its characteristic sloping roof, pillared verandahs, and walled courtyards, this palace, which was constructed in 1845, is among the best examples of traditional Keralan architecture. The timber ceilings are adorned with intricate carvings, each with a unique pattern. Five thousand Vishwabrahmins finished building the palace in four years.
Granite, rosewood, and teakwood are used to construct the palace. The carved designs on the palace's wooden roof are supported by 42 beams. Granite pillars support the roof. The verandah's charm is enhanced by the flowery designs on the ceiling. The palace's primary 16 rooms are designed in 16 various ways. Of the palace's eighty rooms, twenty-four were made accessible to tourists in 1995. Even in the sweltering summer months, the palace's floor remains cold and smooth because to the use of egg whites, black charcoal derived from coconut shell, and slaked lime.