Napier Museum Trivandrum

Tourist Information:
Napier Museum,
Trivandrum.
Ph: 2316275 / 2318294

Entry Fees:
Entry fee Rs 4-Rs12
Museum Timings: Wednesdays: 1 pm- 5 pm, Other Days: 9 am to5 pm (Monday closed)
Other Holidays: 26th Jaunary, 15th August, Thiruvonam and Mahanavami.

The use of plastics is prohibited within the museum precincts.

Location And History:
The Napier Museum is one of the oldest museums of India. A contemporary of the Indian Museum Calcutta and Madras Government Museum, this beautiful and historic repository of the relics and treasured possessions of Kerala was built in 1857 at the bidding of Maha Raja Uthram Thirunal, His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Padmanabha Dasa Vanchi Pala Marthanda Varma II, Kulashekara Kiritapati Mannaneya Sultan Bahadur Shamsher Jung, Raja of Travancore. The old building that housed the museum was demolished and the foundation for the new building named after Lord John Napier, the Governor General of Madras presidency was laid in 1874. The famous architect Robert Chisholm of Madras University Senate and Victoria Memorial fame was commissioned the project the construction was complete by 1880.

Architecture and Importance:
The most intriguing feature of the museum is its architecture. The magnificent edifice stands in the lush observatory gardens, a symbol of the architectural ebullience achieved by combining Chinese and Mughal styles with Kerala's traditional forms of construction. The celestial beauty of the construction was imparted by bewitching brush of Chisholm. The tall minarets, gothic roofs and stained glass windows and the vivid use of colors such as blue, pink, yellow, red and white make it a dreamy sight. High arches, intricately carved balconies, red and white grilles and stone ornamentations give the museum its enamoring charms. The building sports a natural air conditioning system.

Display And Attraction:
The Napier Museum has an astounding display of traditional Kerala chariots and ivory carvings. It is furnished with an array of priceless aesthetic and ethnic antiques such as stone sculptures, wood and ivory carvings, lamps, fabrics, Kathakali miniatures, handicrafts, Kuftgiri items, musical instruments and a collection of the Chera, Chola, Pandya coins. The bronze idols on display include figurines of Hindu Gods such as Siva, Vishnu, Parvathi and Lakshmi of the 8th to 18th century. The museum displays an idol of Vishnu from the 8th century which has been garnered from the Ambalapuzha temple and is the oldest known metal image of Kerala. The stone sculptures too are of the same time period. The sculpture called Shiva with Sati is a major attraction. A four hundred year old clock and a herbal coat used by the Maharajas of Travancore are among the crowd pullers.

This museum located beside the Mascot Hotel of Thiruvananthapuram City, the capital of Kerala. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Railway Junction provide access to this lovely city.