Archaeological Museum, Thrissur

Visitor Information

• Popular For: Scholars, artefacts and handicrafts enthusiasts, history buffs
• Entry Fee: Not Known
• Visiting Time: 10 am – 5 pm except on Mondays and public holidays
• Visit Duration: 60-120 minutes

Archaeological Museum, Thrissur the foremost museum in this southern temple town is a major attraction for tourists. Situated in the town hall, it is one of the few museums of India which exhibit rare architectural artefacts – from utensils and ornaments of ancient times to handicrafts of bygone eras. The museum lies at the heart of the city bordering the Thrissur zoological garden and hence easy to locate. This museum was built in 1975 by the Archaeology department in order to preserve prehistoric documents and artefacts. Not only does one get to see various specimens from different eras of history but they also get a chance to see the Olagrandhangal, palm leaf manuscripts. The museum premise once served as the summer retreat of Raja Kollengode. This museum is famous for murals and relics collected from all over Kerala and hence it showcases the rich heritage of this exotic state. Apart from this, the temple has ancient temple design models and life size statues of great personalities. Thus, this place is a hidden treasure for history buffs and artefacts and handicrafts enthusiasts. Scholars often find this place helpful for their research and pay visit to this place.

Traveller Tips

• It’s a museum so maintains the decorum of the place and be quiet.
• The museum requires time to explore. So keep at least 45mins in hand.
• It requires a good amount of walking to explore all the sections hence wear comfortable shoes.
• Pets aren’t allowed inside the museum. So make sure you keep them at home.
• Food packets and electronic devices like camera aren’t allowed inside the museum.
• Bathroom facilities are available. So, use them accordingly.

Things to Do

• It is a must visit destination if you are in Thrissur.
• The palm leaf manuscripts are their speciality. Don’t miss it.
• The murals and relics of Kerala should be explored to the fullest.
• Don’t miss the life size exhibits and the handicrafts kept on display.
• Veerakallu or engraved stones depicting warriors and kings who dominated this part of India, is an interesting section.
• Also take note of several sculptures unearthed all through history, some even dating back to the times of indus valley civilization.
• Megaliths are out there on display.
• The huge burial spots and harappan shards are rare collectible not found in other museums.

Availability of Guides

Guides are generally unavailable. It is best explored on your own. Thus having ample time on your hand is essential. The unavailability of guides comes with the luxury of choosing and spending according to your wish. You are no longer chained by the rush. Instead you can pick and choose.

Best Time to Visit

August – April is the ideal to pay a visit to Thrissur. However, being a temple town, Thrissur attracts tourists all through the year and being the chief destination of Thrissur, the museum too garners quite a number of visitors throughout the year. However, Spetember –March sees the maximum footfall. It is regarded as the best time to visit this place.

How to Reach

Situated at a distance of mere 3kms from the Thrissur railway station, it is easily accessible as it lies at the centre of the town. Cars, buses and autos regularly ply tourists from various corners of the city into the heartland area, that is the museum. The nearest airport cochin lies at a distance of 57 km and can be reached by a bus or a car.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

• The museum was first established as a Sree Mulam Chithrasala or as an art gallery by the Government of Cochin in 1938.
• Most of exhibits on display were unearthed from the adjoining forest land of Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad.
• It is believed that these artefacts were buried here when the Dravidian relocated to the southern peninsula. They were rediscovered here.
• The present building was a creation of King Kollengode in 1904. It was built for his daughter.
• Its architecture is a mixture of Dravidian and western architectural styles.

Nearby Attractions

• The Thrissur Zoological Garden or Zoo and Mural Art Museum lies just beside the Museum.
• Shakthan Thampuran Palace and Thiruvambady temple lies close by.
• The Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple lies within 3km distance.
• Vadakkumnathan temple and St. Thomas Church are other places to visit nearby.
• The Kollengode Palace lies at a stone’s throw distance from the museum.

Nearby Restaurants

• Jes Kitchen and Copamocha provides the best eating out option in the locality. They lie just about a distance of 100-200 metres from the museum.
• Hotel Bharat, Teamo Club, Hotel Meadows International are some good options lying within 1km radius of the museum.
• I Land Restaurant, Koffee Roasters Café, Indian Coffee House and Boscos Cook Door Restaurant are some of the well konown places found near the museum.
• Noorjehan’s Hotpans Restaurant, Chicking and Pathans are other viable options in the vicinity.

Overall, this quaint little temple town has much to offer to the tourists. Its viability doesn’t rest in temples alone. It has some beautiful treasures to showcase. The Archaeological Museum is one such treasure trove waiting for you to unearth. As it is said “The Dead are Willing to Speak if you are willing listen”. So gear up to hear that music on your visit to Thrissur.