Hill Palace Museum in Kerala

The majestic Hill Palace Museum stands tall on sprawling verdant estate of fifty two acres. Situated in Thripunithura, at a distance of twelve kilometers from Kochi on the Ernakulam- Chottanikkare road. This repository of tradition was erected in 1865 and is a major turning point for the tourism industry of Kerala. It boasts of being the first museum in Kerala to achieve the heritage status. This museum was the imperial haveli of the King of Kochi and is must visit on a trip to the land of sun and coconuts.

There are forty-nine splendid edifices that has vintage Kerala architecture written all over them. The most older building, constructed in 1850, displays the characteristics of ettukettu architecture. The visitors can take a glimpse of the pool of water that graces the building. It also houses a shrine and a urappura. Several buildings display a blend of the traditional and modern élan.

The royal mansion metamorphosed into a museum into 1980 by the pioneering efforts of the Department Of Archeology. On display are beautiful paintings, etching, wall paintings, holographs, regal jewelry and a host of other royal insignia. Most of the exhibits are the contributions of the Travancore Royal House, Paliam Devaswom and the Department of Archeology. Clayware, ceramic, granite and laterite artifacts are also on display.

The art lovers have a further cause to rejoice. Modern-day artistry rests cheek by jowl in this museum. There are paintings that can be attributed to the Paliyathachan’s lineage. Experience the royal regalia by getting up, close and personal with the elegant simhasana. The portraitures of the King of Kochi cuts a handsome picture. Weapon system dating back to the tenth and eighteenth centuries are also major crowd pullers. The music buffs can bolster their knowledge about ancient musical equipments from the wide array on display. Equipages from the era of the raja of Travancore and England are sure to capture your attention.

The Hill Palace Museum has a variegated collection of flora that is a repository of medicinal herbs.

Besides getting hooked on to the marvelous museum, you can also indulge in equestrianism and a take a walk down the deer garden. You can also bolster your knowledge about archeology, music and a host of other interesting subjects by enrolling into the Post Graduate Diploma courses facilitated by the Government of Kerala.

The museum opens, at nine a.m. and downs its shutters at four thirty p.m in the evening. Mondays and other Government holidays sees the museum closed. The entrance charges are meager ranging from Rs.10 for people above eighteen years of age to Rs.5 for the juniors. If you would like to click those shutterbugs then be ready to dish out Rs.20 and the permission fees for carrying a handy cam goes up to Rs.1500.

The airport that is situated at close quarters is at Nedumbassery. The Ernakulam railway station is also close by and you can also avail the KSRTC buses.