Koyikkal Palace, Royal palace and museum in Nedumangad, India
Koyikkal Palace is a two-story building in Thiruvananthapuram built in the traditional Kerala style, with gabled roofs and local materials. It now serves as a folklore museum, housing a collection of crafts, everyday objects, and regional items from across Kerala.
The palace was built in the 17th century as a residence for Umayamma Rani, who ruled the Venad kingdom from 1677 to 1684. After centuries as a royal residence, it was later turned into a museum focused on the folklore and history of the region.
The Folklore Museum displays traditional musical instruments, household items, and regional artifacts that represent Kerala's cultural traditions.
The museum is open daily and the rooms are easy to walk through, with displays clearly labeled in each section. It is worth taking your time, as the collection covers many different types of objects spread across several rooms.
The palace holds the only known surviving Chandravalayam in India, a percussion instrument once used during the recitation of the Malayalam epic Ramakathappattu. This type of instrument has disappeared almost everywhere else, making this particular example one of a kind.
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