Kerala is a grand myriad of art and culture. With its unique scenery and exclusive geography, this quirky land has lured the attention of many traffickers and dreamers. Kerala was once the stomping ground of Portuguese, Britons and Jewish community. In the museums of Kerala, tourist can recall years of Kerala history and creativity. Kerala has an astounding collection of museums and galleries. The dazzling treasures trove in each and every gallery is antiquated and distinctive. Whether it is art, science, culture or biodiversity, here one can found a museum of every discipline.
The museum was founded in 1972 as a national-style Tribal Research and Training Center (TR&TC), which was later recognized as KIRTADS in 1979 and works with all scheduled communities that are planned to develop it. The institute is located in the settlement of Vrindavan, Chevayur, Kozhikode. The Ethnological Museum houses a large collection of artifacts, tools and implements used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. . The Museum is one of the most informative and interesting storehouse for people who want to know about the Tribes of Kerala. Now the museum is a member in the Natioanal Consortium of Tribals.
An erstwhile residence of the Maharaja of Kochi, this palace was constructed in 1865 and later renovated into a museum by the Archaeology Department of the state. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional Kerala architectural style, spread over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land with a wildlife park and horse riding facilities. Many plant species grow here, including rare medicinal plants. The full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum displays oil paintings, murals, stone carvings and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, possessions of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture, including the simhasan (throne). Displays include ancient pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tombstones), thoppikkallu (capstones), standing stones, granite, laterite monuments, Stone Age metal weapons, wooden temple models, plaster models, artifacts by Mohanjo-daro and Harappa from the Indus Valley Civilization.
The Indo-Portugese museum is located inside the compound of the Bishop's House at Fort Kochi. Late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, the late Bishop of Cochin, was established this museum to preserve and propagate the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage. The museum is divided into five large sections: the altar, the treasury, the procession, the civil life, and the cathedral. Objects on include a piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century), a chasuble (19th century), Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century), Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18-19th century) in addition sculptures, precious metal objects, and vestments. All the exhibits were collected from various churches of Kerala, among others from the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and other churches.
G. Karthikeyan Legislature Museum is located in the Kerala Legislative Assembly Complex. The Museum was established in 2006. In 2018 it was dedicated to the memory of Late Sri.G.Karthikeyan who was the Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly during 2011 to 2015. The building in which the museum is functioning was the headquarters of Nair Brigade of Travancore since 1868. It was also used as a Military Hospital for a few years. This museum is dedicated to the history of the political pattern of the Kerala state with special emphasis on the Legislative Assembly. The museum is spread out over two floors and three galleries. Each gallery has been filled with artifacts related to different aspects of the state and its formation. The first gallery contains a number of interactive kiosk platforms, each focusing on a particular part of the history; for instance, there is one with the history of the assembly, the list of speakers, list of cabinet members, list of female members, the voting system, the history of voting etc. The last gallery displays the gift items that Sri. A.K. Antony had received during his tenure as Defence minister. There is a gallery focusing on Mahatma Gandhi, which contains photographs, copies of his books, newspaper clippings, etc. The museum has a special gallery reserved for a collection of photographs of the swearing-in ceremonies of the chief ministers of Kerala from the time of its formation.
The first Kerala Biodiversity Museum was launched in January 2018. The museum is situated inside a newly renovated 19th century storage house situated by the T.S. Canal (Trivandrum-Shoranur Canal).The museum displays life-size copies of various animal and ecosystems, such as the underwater ecosystem and the forest ecosystem. Other exhibitions include a variety of rice from Kerala and a variety of oysters from India. There are LCD screens that display the voices of selected birds, provide an overview of international and national organizations working at various geographical levels to protect the ecosystem, and show videos of the country's ecosystems, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and endangered species. It also presents the projects of various institutions that deal with inter-tribal communication, their environment, customs and culture. The museum has an entire space set aside for an interactive kiosk that introduces visitors to the area from the perspectives of various groups, including children, students, farmers and biologists. The museum, which has an aquarium attached to the canal, has many species of fish. There are also about 68 medicinal plants with a booth explaining the characteristics of the various plants. Also, 30 minutes of 3D movie is shown to the visitors. The main attraction of the museum is the Science on a Sphere (SOS) system, which allows you to view live information collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The museum was established in 2011 in collaboration with the Archeology, Archives and Tourism Departments in a building called Park View, the official residence of the Secretary General during the reign of the Travancore Dynasty. As the first interactive museum in South India, it contains eight exhibitions that show the stages of development in Kerala from the Stone and Bronze Ages to the traditional history of the state. The replicas deserve special mention as they contain one of the Naalukettu houses, the traditional house of Kerala, along with a Naalukettu kitchen with all associated artifacts and a an excavation trench from a megalithic site in Kollam. The museum is also home to Kerala art forms such as mural paintings, Kalamezhuthu etc.
The museum complex is spread out over three separate buildings with nine galleries dedicated to Popular Science, Electrical, Robotics, Automobile, Mathematics, Astronomy, Space, Computer, and Biomedical Sciences. These interactive galleries have controls allowing the visitor to actually work the exhibit to understand the concept on display. The park attached to the museum also has life-sized scientific artifacts which show the history and uses of various machines that we see in everyday life.
A planetarium (Priyadarshini Planetarium), a 3D theatre, a night observatory, telescopes, a mobile science exhibition, the Ham Radio Station (a disaster management radio setup), the Astrovan (mobile astronomy education unit), a library, and a park dedicated for children are also attached with the Museum. Of specific interest are the replicas of the shuttles and space crafts, the 'Nail Chair' exhibit (increased surface area reduces the pain felt from the pricking of nails. One can sit on a chair filled with nails and test this theory), 'Floating Ball', 'Infinite Well' and so on.
Krishnapuram Palace and Museum is located in Kayamkulam. Built during the reign of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, King of Travancore, this palace is famous for its paintings and architecture. The palace is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style. Today, the Krishnapuram Palace is protected by the Kerala Archaeological Survey of India. The museum functioning in the palace contains a variety of exhibits that once existed for the palace and its inhabitants. The main attraction of this palace is one of the largest paintings in Kerala. This painting is known as "Gajendra Moksha". Covering an area of about 53 square meters, this painting is of historical value. The Kayamkulam sword, a two-edged sword, can also be seen here. Other attractions of the palace include the beautiful landscape gardens, statue of Lord Buddha.
Puthen Maliga/ Kuthira Maliga (Palace of horses) is an example of traditional Kerala architecture, and houses some of the assets owned by the Travancore Royal Family. The palace collections include 14 life-size Kathakali mannequins, Belgian and Italian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, armaments, musical instruments, traditional furniture, Greek statues, and other artifacts’. The courtyard of Kuthiramalika is the venue for Swathi Sangeethotsavam, a yearly music festival commemorating the legacy of Swathi Thirunal. The palace was one of the residences of the Royal Family of Travancore, later converted into a museum.
The artefacts include objects that were gifts received by from various native states of India and countries abroad such as China, Japan, Germany, Belgium etc It also contains items used by the royal family like the palanquins, cradles, swords of rulers and so forth. Of particular interest are the Ivory Throne, the Crystal Throne, and the Ivory Cradle. These were used by the royal family and are now on display. The architecture and the layout of the palace are also of much interest.
The Maritime Museum is a tribute to the Indian Navy and is located on the INS Dronacharya, the naval school campus in Fort Kochi. The museum was established in 2001 with the aim of raising awareness about marine history of the nation. The museum depicts the development of the Indian Navy from 712 AD to the present day.The galleries of the museum are housed in old bunkers, one giving an overview of the history of Kerala and the other showing the rich ocean and marine history of India right from the days of the Indus Valley Civilization. One of the highlights of the museum is the detailed map of the sea route taken by the Europeans to the Konkan coast. The examples of the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama and the legendary sea warrior Konchali Marakkar who bravely fought against the Portuguese navy are displayed. The museum also houses an extensive collection of literature on shipbuilding exported across the country. Contributions made by the Indian Navy during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the Kargil War and the liberation of Goa are also detailed here. Flags, rank symbols, uniforms and naval symbols of different period of history are also displayed. A pecial section dedicated to post-independence naval victories which include Junaghad Operation, the Goa Liberation, Indo-Pak Conflicts of 1965 and 1971, Operation Cactus, Operation Pawan and the strategic manoeuvres during Kargil War.
The Museum of Art and Kerala History is also known as the Kerala Museum. This museum is located in Edappally, Kochi was established in the year 1986 by Madhavan Nair an entrepreneur and philanthropist. It is now run by the Madhavan Nair Foundation as a registered non-profit trust. The three galleries of the Kerala Museum have three galleries. They are Kerala History Museum, the Puppet Museum and the Modern Art Gallery. This museum predicts the history of Kerala through life size figures of historical episodes and personalities from the state. The Art Gallery houses paintings, sculptures and over 200 original works by contemporary Indian artists. The most interesting part of the museum is the sound and light shows presented in English and Malayalam.
The Napier Museum is a landmark in Thiruvananthapuram. The building was designed by Robert Chishom (Consulting Architect, Government of Madras). The building is named after Lord Napier, the former Governor of Madras, who laid the foundation stone of the building. The building has some interesting architectural elements like carved roofs and glass windows that reflect the architectural style used in Kerala. Though the museum and zoo started here in the year 1857, the building in which the present day Napier Museum is functioning was constructed during the period 1874 and 1887. The Napier Museum contains artifacts that help to understand the cultural history of India and the state of Travancore. It displays more than 550 objects, including antique ornaments, temple chariots, woodwork, a collection of coins, bronze statues, ivory carvings (some of which were donated by the royal family). The sword of Velu Thampi Dalawa, who fought against the British, is exhibited here. It was exhibited in the National Museum New Delhi till 2010.
The Thiruvananthapuram Natural History Museum is divided into three sections that cover different aspects of history, culture, art and animals. Exhibits focused on biodiversity in Kerala - Microbial exhibits on flora and fauna, their natural habitat, forest type, earthquake, night garage and bird calls. The museum aims to provide visitors with information about the different species in their natural habitats through special galleries with mammals, skeletons, birds, vertebrates, invertebrates, catalogs and ethnography. The museum also has a garden dedicated to dinosaurs and other important animals that make world history. The collection of bird animals, the list of all birds found in India, books, and other research materials provide the museum with many resources for research.
Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum is a museum and art gallery in Kozhikode. It was established in the old collector's bungalow at East Hill in 1978. The museum houses a collection of historical artifacts dating back to 1000 BC. The western portion of the bungalow including the cellar is converted as the Pazhassiraja Archaeological Museum. Krishna Menon Museum and Art Gallery are also there in the Eastern portion of the same bungalow. Bronze sculptures, coins, different weight measures, models of temples, stone sculptures are the main exhibits. Megalithic potteries and other burial materials collected from the rock-cut caves of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kasaragod and Kannur districts are also housed there. Different urns, iron implements and semi-precious stones are among the other exhibits. The museum houses a collection of ammunition for British soldiers and hat hats from British and French soldiers.The museum's collections include idols of Panchaloha and stone statues known as "war heroes".
Ravi Karunakaran Memorial Museum is a private museum in Alappuzha that exhibits works of art and decorative arts, including a large private collection of Swarovski crystals and ivory. Ravi Karunakaran was the architect in Kerala. After his death in 2003, his wife built the museum as a memorial of the artist. The objects on display in this museum have been collected by his family over three generations and display unique works of art from all over the world. This is a private museum owned by Swarovski crystals, one of the largest private collections of Kerala ceramics, ivory, handicrafts, furniture and Thanchavoor paintings in the world. The murals give a picture of four major religions of India - Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. The museum is known for its architectural features, its Greco-Roman front pillars and its large floor area covering 28,000 sq.m. The museum has been compared to the Taj Mahal, which was built in the same vein as a symbol of love.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum is a museum that traces the history and growth of the police force in India. It is located just opposite the Kollam Railway Station. The museum is dedicated to the great statesman and the “Iron man of India”, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Police Museum is the only such kind in the country that traces the history and development of the police force. On display there are police arms of the 18th and 19th centuries and various other items exhibits. The star attraction of the museum is the Martyr's Gallery.
Set up in the church of St. Magdelene near the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) compound, the Space Museum shows the story of the Indian space programme in six sections comprising of history, education, technology, applications, global, and the future. The exhibits include the various parts of a space shuttle with detailed descriptions of how it is used. Models of all the space shuttles that were created in India are found in the museum with information about the year of making, people associated, the purpose and the status of the launch. The models are placed chronologically which allows one to understand the space history of the nation. A full-scale space suit can also be found among the displays. A movie theatre with a surround-sound system screens specially tailored movies on the Indian space programme. The museum has been infused into the church in such a way that the altar has been preserved and becomes the central division of the museum, allowing one to enjoy the architecture too. The 'future of space' makes up the last stages of the museum. Scientific artifacts of interest include full-scale models of the PSLV, PSLV heat shield and scaled down models of the GSLV, GSLV Mk-III and ATV.
The Sri Chitra Art Gallery, which was established in 1934 by Sri Chithira Thirunal, the then Maharaja of Travancore, features a unique collection of about 1,100 traditional and contemporary paintings. This collection includes the works of artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Nicholas Roerich, Svetoslav Roerich, Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, V. S. Valiathan, K. C. S. Paniker and many others. The art gallery has on display works from the Mughal, Rajput, Bengal, Rajasthani, and Tanjore schools of art, as well as unique collections of Indian mural paintings from pre-historic times. It also has a collection of Chinese, Japanese, Balinese and Tibetan paintings. Other items of interest include miniatures from different parts of the world, reproductions of murals of Ajanta, Bagh, Sigiriya, and Sittannavasal, and manuscripts of archival importance. It is located inside the zoo and museum complex, and is one of the three museums of the compound.
Inaugurated on November 12, 1993, Sree Chitra Enclave is a museum dedicated in memory of the last king of the erstwhile Travancore dynasty, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. This museum is located inside the museum complex and comprises historically important artifacts such as the royal chariot used by the king, and personal artifacts such as swords, coins, stamps and medals. Also displayed are 14 murals painted by famous artists that highlights the geographical and socio-cultural evolution of the Travancore dynasty right from its origin.
The museum is located approximately 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) from the city of Munnar, in the Nallathanni Estate. The Museum is owned by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (P) Ltd. (KDHP). The museum opened on April 1, 2005. The museum shows pictures and machines that contributed to the flourishing of the tea industry. It also pays tribute to the pioneers who transformed Munnar into a major tea growing centre of Kerala, from a primitive tea pool period of. Various phases of tea processing (crushing, tearing, and curling) and black tea production are displayed here. As part of the exhibits, the museum also houses furniture and office equipments of from the colonial era. Tasting the tea with different types of tea is another attraction here. A 2nd century burial urn which was discovered on the plantation is also on display.
The State Soil Museum is the first one of its kind in India and contains exhibits that cover almost all aspects related to the soil. These include pollution, bacteria, and other organic materials in the soil, the inorganic components like the types of rocks and minerals, watershed management, types of water harvesting, types of farming, how subsistence farming can be carried out, and much more. One of the most important exhibits in the museum is a set of 1.5 meters tall soil monoliths which display the type of soil found in each district of the state of Kerela. It allows understanding the soil distribution of the state, as well as the various features of the soil, at a glance. Other exhibits include sections that pertain to the kinds of farming found in the different districts displayed in a 3D model with all the features of the area. All these give an in-depth understanding of the scientific aspects of soil of Kerala and activities associated with it.
The Teak Museum is located on the campus of the Kerala Forest Research Institute in Nilambur. It was established in 1995. The world's first museum of its kind aims to provide information on various aspects of teak, including history, agriculture, management and use, as well as social and economic sciences.
A model of a giant tree present in the oldest teak plantation in the Conolly's Plot at Nilambur helps visitors to visualise the teak plantation activities initiated 160 years ago. Other attractions include the traditional granary and the scale model of the ship - the teak urn. Shown are teak rods of different sizes and qualities that arise when thinning teak plantations, as well as details on the standard classification of teak rods. Plants, flowers, fruits and bark were depicted in a field. A special attraction of the museum is a series of paintings depicting logging activities, a collection of photographs depicting the phenomena of teak at different times of the year, and exhibitions of traditional harvesters and specimens of wood of different ages from different parts of the world. Photos of the great men behind the successful establishment of teak plantations and those who sowed the seeds of plantation forests in India are also displayed here. The museum has a world-class teak library and a small auditorium for audiovisual presentations. Teak information system (touch screen function) helps visitors to get information about the nature of the teak tree, its distribution, history, processing, planting,
Thakazhi Museum and Smriti Mandapam is a museum-cum-memorial hall dedicated to the memory of the late Sri. Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai (1912-1999), the famous Malayalam litterateur who won the Jnanpeeth award in 1984. His writings include 35 novels and 600 short stories. It is located at Thakazhi, 22 km from Alappuzha town. Articles used by the writer like his pen, spectacles etc are preserved in the museum. Besides, the museum showcases the awards, prizes and certificates won by the writer. It is the only museum in India dedicated to a winner of Jnanpith Award, the highest award of India. A full figure bronze statue of the statue of Thakazhi is also erected there.
Thunchan Memorial is locted at Tirur in Malappuram District. This is the birth place of Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the father of the Malayalam language. The compound is also known as Thunchan Parambu. On Vijayadasami Day, many come here for vidyarambham, the ceremony in which children are initiated into learning. The iron stylus with which Ezhuthachan wrote his texts on palm leaves and the ancient kanjira tree under which he composed his poems are the treasured exhibits here. The Literary Museum is a major tourist attraction in Thunchan Paramb. Exhibitions trace the evolution of the Malayalam language and literature. Apart from the works of Thunchath Ramanujan Ethuthachan, the museum also houses tools and articles related to many famous writers of the past. It also describes the history of language through a variety of mediums, including visual clippings, soundtracks, paintings, and photographs. The library has a considerable collection of books ranging from rare old books to contemporary literature. It is a center that attracts scholars and researchers from all over the state. The library has a valuable collection of old manuscripts written in palm leaves. It is one of the accredited centers of the National Manuscript Mission. The manuscripts cover a wider area than literature, and contain numerous fine documents that touch on ancient and medieval science and art.
Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Chithralayam, also known as Chitralayam Palace Museum, is an art gallery exhibiting the history and genealogy of the Maharajas of Travancore. The two-story building, which was once part of the royal residence, has been converted into an art gallery. It contains a collection of paintings and photographs donated by the royal family. These images illustrate the life of rulers from their childhood. Special emphasis has been given to the last king of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, whose life is captured through photographs. It exhibits several photo galleries depicting images of the country under British rule, important Museums of the royal family, and the Padmanabhaswamy temple, the royal family temple. There is also a section devoted to distorted portraits
Kerala’s ancient wisdom in healthcare is predominantly based on the principles of Ayurveda. Dating back to over 5000 years, Ayurveda utilises nature’s bounty to create remedies for a wide range of health problems. Ayurveda has been gaining prominence in the modern era and more and more people are opting for natural remedies to treat their ailments. The history of Ayurveda in Kerala is celebrated at a museum established and maintained by one of the leading names in Ayurveda – the Ashtavaidyan Thaikkattu Mooss Vaidyaratnam Group of Institutions. The richness, variety and evolution of Ayurveda in India is perfectly enshrined here.
The Museum is situated at Thaikkattussery, near Ollur in Thrissur District. The museum is housed in an old traditional spacious two stored main building. The main Museum has separate galleries with presentations about the history of Ayurveda from mythological, Vedic, Sahitha, Sangraha, Medieval period, along with displays on Kerala’s own Ayurveda tradition. The museum also has a 3D gallery for traditional education, treatments, medicine manufacturing and its developments, a library with a massive collection of ancient scripts and texts used by Ashtavaidyas and a Multimedia Touch Screen digital Library with a large collection of videos of Kerala Ayurvedic treatments and digital palm leaf manuscripts. The audio-visual theatre, depicting the origin, growth and development of Ayurveda with a facility to accommodate 40 persons at a time is undoubtedly the show-stopper of the museum. There are also exhibits manifesting the facts and myths associated with the history of Ayurveda. Moreover, the museum building itself is a 100 years old, a symbol of the rich architectural heritage of Kerala.
The Water Heritage Museum and Bio-park located in Kozhikode is the initiative of the Center for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). The museum communicates the scientific utilization and management of water resources and inculcates a sense of inquiry and scientific temperament in the minds of people on various aspects of water resources. The exhibits include, models on various aspects of water resources development and management, equipments / materials used for hydro meteorological studies, traditional and modern water lifting devices, research findings of CWRDM and other institutions working on water etc. A butterfly garden, demonstration plot for Soil and Water Conservation, demonstration plot for Organic Farming, a medicinal plant garden are some other added attractions.