The 122 wooden horses supporting the roof were carved from single pieces of wood.
The palace was built in the 1840s by the ruler-composer Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
It is renowned for its 'hidden' acoustic features designed to amplify music during court performances.
The floor of the main hall is made from a mixture of egg whites, lime, and charcoal, polished to a mirror-like finish.
The building was constructed without the use of electricity, utilizing natural light and cross-ventilation.
It houses a 'throne' made of Bohemian crystals, which is one of the museum's most prized objects.
The palace interior contains rare paintings from the 19th century, including works by European artists commissioned by the royals.
The Swathi Sangeethotsavam music festival is held annually in the palace courtyard to commemorate the former king's contributions to Carnatic music.
Puthen Maliga, widely known as Kuthira Malika, is a two-story palace museum situated near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The name translates to 'Palace of Horses,' derived from the 122 wooden horses carved into the roof brackets. Built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma in the 19th century, the structure serves as a prime example of traditional Kerala architecture. The museum houses a significant collection of royal artifacts, including ceremonial chariots, crystal chandeliers, and Belgian mirrors. Visitors view the collection while accompanied by a mandatory guided tour through the palace's wooden corridors and inner chambers. The palace is constructed primarily from teak, rosewood, and sandalwood. It maintains an extensive archive of rare musical instruments and paintings related to the Travancore royal family. The site remains a rare surviving example of a timber-framed palace within the city's fort complex.
The palace exterior from the garden side, featuring the intricate horse-carved roofline.
Ensure you arrive early in the morning to beat the humidity, as the wooden interiors can become quite warm.
Follow the guide closely, as many artifacts are small and located in dim, narrow hallways.
Note that photography is strictly prohibited inside the main palace building to protect the artifacts.
Do not attempt to touch the wooden carvings or furniture, as the oils from human skin can damage the aged timber.
Closed on Mondays.
Shoes must be removed before entering the palace building; modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is required.
