Kuthiramalika- “A Dream ever unfulfilled”

“With an inconspicuous façade, a mammoth dazzling palace hidden behind a narrow pathway, the legendary Kuthiramalika left me bowled over,” remarks Bethany an archaeologist from Perth, Australia. After a devout prayer from Ananthapadhmanabha swamy kshethram, a visit to this huge ‘dream construction’ by the great emperor Swathi Thirunnal, can give you the best picture of the rich artistic legacy of Ananthapuri( Trivandrum).

Located on the south eastern side of the Padmanabha swamy temple, the Kuthiramalika palace( Mansion of horses), also called Puthenmalika ( New mansion) is one of the top tourist destinations you shouldn’t miss to see in Trivandrum. The palace gets its name from the 122 horses carved in wood, which form the royal majestic icons distinguishing the architecture of its stunning beauty.

1000 people worked day and night to build this architectural wonder in four years and was presented to the King by 1845. Yet behind this rare specimen of architecture, there is a tragic tale lying within. The young emperor, Swathi Thirunnal, a well known poet, musician and social reformer had a very early death staying at Kuthiramalika, which is said to have been erected against the rules of Vasthushasthra. Following his sad demise at 1846, the palace was left marooned for more than a year and in 1996 opened by the Government of Kerala as the Palace Museum for the public.

Kuthiramalika is a magnificent work of art that is built in typical Kerala architecture, with wooden roofs, overhanging eaves, pillared verandahs, enclosed courtyards, intricate carvings adorning the wooden ceilings with each room having a distinctive pattern. The assets of the royal family are now kept for public display which includes thrones, idols carved in marble and ivory, crystal chandeliers, Belgian mirrors, Kathakali mannequins, musical instruments, paintings of the royal kings and so many other traditional artifacts.

With more than 200 splendidly arranged rooms, today 60 of them are sealed for maintenance works. There is an audience chamber, the dance hall, the kavi durbar, a library and an alcove in which Swathi Thirunal had made many of his famous musical compositions facing the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Another star attraction of the palace is a three dimensional painting of Sreechithra Thirunnal Balarama Varma painted by the Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich, in which from any corner of the room the onlooker might feel, the face and shoes of the king is directed to him.

In the lovely commemoration of the great King Swathi Thirunnal, an ardent patron of music, the Swathi Thirunnal Sangeetha Mahotsavam is conducted here every year from January 6 to 12, with the leading stalwarts of Carnatic and Hindusthani Music nationwide, performing at the courtyards of the palace.

The Kuthiramalika palace is just 1km away from the Trivandrum Central Railway station and 6km from the International Airport. The next time you visit this city of palaces, don’t forget to add Kuthiramalika to your must see spots, for you can’t miss to add this legendary wonder to a destination ever enchantingly memorable!!