H.H. Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Chithralayam

Museum Address
S. Street Road, Fort, East Fort, Pazhavangadi
City
State
Kerala
Pin Code
695023
Phone Number
When was the museum established?
2011
Main category
Other categories
Briefly describe the history of the museum, its collection and donors.

The H.H. Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Chithralayam, also known as Chitralayam Palace Museum, is an art gallery which exhibits the history and genealogy of the Maharajas of Travancore. The development of Travancore as a state is portrayed through the pictures which are exhibited in the museum. The two-storied building, which was once a part of the Royal Residence, has now been converted into an art gallery. It has a collection of paintings and pictures donated by the royal family; these pictures illustrate the lives of the rulers from their childhood days to the days of their coronation, marriage, and rule. Photographs of visits from British officials during the British rule and the rulers' meetings with them have also been added to the museum.

Special emphasis has been given to the last ruling monarch of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, whose life has been recorded through photographs. Almost an entire section of the upper level has been turned around to display his life and times; while the lower level has multiple picture galleries portraying the state under the British Rule, the important palaces of the royal family, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and the family temple of the royal family. There is also a section dedicated to anamorphic paintings, which were added in 2017 and soon became the highlight of the museum. This section contains most of the major rulers of Travancore along with people like Raja Ravi Varma, who was also a part of the royal family.

Photography
No
Videography
No
Cafeteria
No
Museum shop
No
Wheelchair friendly
No
Restroom
No
Drinking water
No
Locker room
No
Parking
No
Information in Braille
No
Workshops/seminars/lectures
No
Garden/picnic area
No
Audio/visual guides
No
Guided tours
Yes
Library and archives services
No
IT facilities ( Photocopying, printing, computer )
No
Auditorium
No
Conference/ Seminar hall
No
Museum membership
No
Conservation lab
No
Research lab
No
Who manages the museum?
Others
Others:
Royal Family
Additional information ( if any)
Ticket for Chitralayam is issued along with the one for Puthenmalika from the same office.
What is the average duration to see the museum?
1-2 hours
Map your museum’s correct location on the map given below.

8.4811374905682, 76.945742368698

Is the museum currently closed?
No
Image for museum exterior/building
H.H. Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Chithralayam
Gallery Images
Image
Image title
Frontal View of the Chithralayam
Image
Image title
Side View of the Chihtralayam
Entry Fee
Applicable
Entry fee information
Foreigner: INR 50/-
Adult: INR 20/-
Children: INR 10/-
Getting there
Trivandrum Railway Station: 2 km
Trivandrum Airport: 6 km
East Fort Bus stand: 500 m
Opening Days
Sunday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Public holidays
Opening Time
09:00 a.m.
Closing Time
04:45 p.m.
Other Information
Lunch: 12.30pm-02.00pm