Krishnapuram Palace

About Krishnapuram Palace

Krishnapuram Palace is located Kayamkulam, 47 km from Alappuzha (Alleppey), Alappuzha district. Built in the 18th century by Marthanda Varma, This two-storied Krishnapuram Palace was once the residence of the Maharajas/rulers of Kayamkulam kingdom. This palace features narrow corridors, saddled roofs and dormer windows. This palace is under the supervision of Archaeology department and is one of the brilliant Kerala highlights. Krishnapuram Palace has been restored as a heritage building and is visited by several tourists.Its gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows are reflective of the typical Kerala style.It is now under archeological survey of India and showcases the traditional Kerala architecture with narrow corridors, gabled roofs and dormer windows. The largest paintings discovered in Kerala, the famous Gajendra Moksam is exhibited while the artifacts are on display in the archeological museum. The palace is famed for exceptional murals while antique sculptures, bronzes and artistic paintings are on display in the museum.Glimpse at the 49 sq.m. long mural painting, Gajendra Moksham. This wall painting is based on the mythological theme showcasing an elephant revering Lord Vishnu. It is said that Kayamkulam rulers were utmost devotees of Lord Vishnu.

Other strikingfeatures of the Krishnapuram Palace are the manicured garden with a variety of exotic flowers and Buddha Mandapam. Also see the rich collection of paintings, oil lamps and bronze sculptures. As Lord Vishnu is the assumed God of the Kayamkulam Dynasty, king Gajendra is supposed to belong to this dynasty. At present the additional Buddha Mandapam has been added to the Krishnapura, Palace and so, the entire structure looks all the more charismatic and graceful. This is a museum that holds exclusive items made of gold, bronze and copper. Take a tour to the Krishnapuram Palace and you will get drenched in the rich historical charm of the region. Other striking features of the Krishnapuram Palace, Kerala include the beautifully landscaped garden with a variety of exotic flowers and the Buddha Mandapam.

Interesting things to Visit

Sreekrishna Temple:

It is about 14km from Alappuzha. The classic architecture of this temple is worth seeing. Besides its architecture, it is well known for its ‘Palpayasam’ (sweet milk porridge), offered to the deity. The main event of the temple takes place in the months of March/April.

Chettikulangara Bhagwathy Temple:

The locals believe that the presiding deity of the temple has miraculous powers. On the occasion of Bharani the temple is abuzz with activity in the months of February and March.

Arthunkal:

Arthunkal is a famous pilgrim center, known for the St. Andrew’s church. The Portuguese missionaries set up this Church 1851 AD. The church is popularly known as St. Sebastian’s.

Nearest Visiting places

Mannarshala Temple:

The Mannarshala Temple is about 32 km from Alappuzha and an important center of serpent worship in Kerala. On the occasion of Ayilyam (in the months of September and October), thousands gather to worship the serpent god.

Alappuzha Beach :

Alappuzha Beach is a very attractive beach. he Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot, The pier extending into the sea is over 137 years old. One of the great attractions for the visitors here is the lighthouse and the Vijaya Beach Park. The park offers a wde range of entertainment facilities like boating, children\’s park with toy train and bicycles, etc.

Backwater Cruise:

View the landscape beauty , monuments, temples,churches and industries of Alappuzha by cruising through its rivers,canals and backwaters.The starting point is from Alleppey and the finishing point is at Jetty .

Karumadikuttan:

The small village near Ambalapuzha is known for the black granite idol of Lord Buddha known as Karumadikuttan. The idol dates back to 9th or 10th century.

Punnapra:

A short distance from Alappuzha is Punnapra, a village which has gone down in history as the scene of a bitter and heroic fighting between the communists and Travancore State Police during the Punnapra Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946.

Mararikulam:

Situated on the coast south of Alappuzha,12 Kms. from Alappuzha, it houses a quiet beach and has an adjoining fishing village. Pool, tennis, water sports and Ayurvedic treatments are the leisure time activities one can available of.

Pandavan Rock:

Pandavan Rock gets its name from the Pandavas of Mahabharata who stayed in a cave here during the time of their exile. Pandavan Para, also known as the Rock of the Pandavas is an ideal picnic spot. It takes walking to get to this location, but it is not a hard climb. Most people that are in good health can easily manage the climb. There are several vantage points with terrific views along the trail. The panoramic view that can be seen when you reach the rocky outcrop at the top is exceptional.

Pathiramannal:

Pathiramannal is a small island found in the Vembanad Lake near Alleppey. This magnificent location can only be traveled to on a boat. Its remote location adds to the intrigue for those that especially love to explore. Birdwatchers love to travel to this breathtaking location is hundreds of rare migratory birds like to gather there. It is possible to see such birds as golden-backed woodpeckers, night herons, kingfishers, paradise fly-catchers, egrets, bulbuls, shrikes, morning doves, crow pheasants, and drongos.

Kuttanad Region:

The region is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’. It is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done below sea level. The boat trip to Changanacherry passes through this beautiful and fertile region.

Arthunkal Church:

This christian Pilgrim centre near Sherthalai is 22 km. north of alappuzha. The St. Andrews Church here was built by Portuguese missionaries.

Edathua Church:

This church, dedicated to St. George is of special significance as it is believed that prayers and offerings here help in healing all kinds of mental disorders and other ailments. The annual feast is held from 5th - 7th May and attracts devotees from all parts of south India.

The Vijaya Beach Park:

Picnic spot with children’s park & boating facilities.

Karumadi:

Karumadi, three Kms. east of Ambalappuzha, has a statue of Budha called Karumadikuttan, a perennial source of interest for the tourists.

Subrahmanya Swamy temple, Haripad:

Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple at Haripad is one among the three oldest temples of Kerala. Daily a number of devotees come to this holy shrine. It is believed that the temple was established even before the advert of ‘Kaliyuga‘. There are two legends connected with the origin of this temple. One is based on the story mentioned in the ‘Skandapurana‘ and the other is related to the payippad Snake-boat race.

Chavara Bhavan:

Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara. It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands of devotees gather for prayer, receive favours and feel amply gratified. Here, a 250 year old historically important beacon of light is preserved intact in its original.

Mararikulam beach:

A pure and soft A pure and soft Mararikulam beach welcomes into its warm embrace as you decide to spend your holiday tours on this strikingly beautiful beach.Mararikulam Beach is comparatively a new beach destination where you have pristine sand beaches, swinging coconut palms and plenty of solitude. welcomes into its warm embrace as you decide to spend your holiday tours on this strikingly beautiful beach.Mararikulam Beach is comparatively a new beach destination where you have pristine sand beaches, swinging coconut palms and plenty of solitude.

Thangasseri:

This is a seaside village replete with historical evidences in the shape of the remnants of an old Portuguese Fort and the churches that date back to the eighteenth century.

Mayannad:

This place is noted for the shrines and temples that dot it. The most important temple is undoubtedly the Subramanya temple that is said to have been consecrated by the Sri Sankaracharya, the Hindu philosopher.

Thirumullavaram:

This clinches the title of being the best beach spot hands down.Feel the bracing cool breeze softly caressing you as you bask in the warm rays of the sun. This is also an ideal place for swimming.

Nearest Petrol Pump

Petrol Pump
Kayankulam, Kerala.

Indianoil Petrol Pump
Mavelikkara, Kerala.

Indian Oil Petrol Pump
NH 47, Puthiyakavu
Karunagappally, Kerala.

BP Petrol Pump
Alappuzha, Kerala.

Pathirappally Petrol Pump
Alappuzha, Kerala
Tel: 09388844689**.**

Petrol Pump
Alappuzha
Kerala, India.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Bamboostix
Alleppey backwater, punnamada
alleppey, Kerala 688006
09995821014 – 09995821015.

Eurokerala
Toc-H Road, Vyttila
Cochin, Kerala 682019
09847931669.

Old Samy’s Vegiterian Hotel
Mavelikkara, Kerala.

Vijaya Hotel & Bar
Karunagapalli, Kerala.

The Excelency Hotel
Karunagapalli, Kerala.

Puttu Kada
Karunagappally, Kerala.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Kayamkulam Police Station
SH6, Kayankulam
Alappuzha, Kerala.

Kayamkulam Police Station
SH6, Kayankulam
Alappuzha, Kerala.

Mavelikara Police Station
Mavelikkara, Alappuzha
Kerala.

Police Station
Karunagappally, Kollam
Kerala.

Thrikkunnapuzha Police Station
Thattarambalam Thrikkunnapuzha Road
Alappuzha.

Nearest Hospital:

Primary Health Centre
Mavelikara Kattanam Rd
Alappuzha, Kerala.

Sovereign GEMS Hospital
Krishnapuram Mavelikkara Road
Mavelikkara, Alappuzha
Kerala.

V SukumaraPillai Memorial Hospital
Kerala.

St. Thomas Mission Hospital
Kannanakuzhi - Meppallilkutty Rd
Alappuzha, Kerala State.

Govt Hospital Vallikunnam
Kerala.

Polachirackal
Mavelikkara
Alappuzha, Kerala.

Link:

http://kerala-travelouges.blogspot.com/2009/11/krishnapuram-palace-kayankulam.html
http://keralatourismblogs.blogspot.com/2009/06/krishnapuram-palace-museum.html
http://itsvacation.blogspot.com/2009/06/small-trip-to-krishnapuram-palace.html
http://planet4rest.blogspot.com/2009/04/krishnapuram-palace-kayamkulam.html
http://pazhayathu.blogspot.com/2009/02/krishnapuram-palace.html
http://keralatourist-place.blogspot.com/2008/12/krishnapuram-palace.html

Location info

• Address: Kayamkulam, Alappuzha district , kerala, India

• District: Alappuzha District.

• Nearest City: Pazhaveedu, Kottayam and Kalavoor.

• Best time to visit: August to March.

Climate & weather

Summer: Max: 35°C, Min: 22.5°C Winter: Max: 32°C Min: 20°C.

Things to do at Krishnapuram Palace

Watch the Gajendra Moksam, mural paintings and the beautifully landscaped garden with a variety of exotic flowers and the Buddha Mandapam.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Krishnapuram Palace

The best time to visit Krishnapuram Palace is from November to February when the weather is pleasant for exploring the site. Early mornings offer the best lighting for photography and fewer crowds. Heritage sites in Kerala can be visited year-round.

Timings & opening hours

Historical sites and palaces are typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. Most are closed on Mondays and national holidays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Entry fee & tickets

Historical palaces and sites: INR 20–50 for Indian nationals, INR 100–300 for foreign nationals. Camera fees: INR 50–100 for still cameras, INR 200–500 for video cameras. Some heritage properties have combined tickets covering multiple sites.

Duration needed

1–2 hours to explore the site. Heritage palaces with museum collections may require 2–3 hours. Photography enthusiasts may need additional time.

Safety tips

Do not climb on or touch protected structures — they may be fragile. Follow ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) rules where applicable. Watch your step on uneven heritage floors and staircases. Photography rules vary — check at the entrance. Do not remove any artefacts or stones from the site.

Things to carry

Comfortable walking shoes, a camera, drinking water, a hat or umbrella for sun protection, a notepad for heritage notes, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Some heritage sites have limited shade — plan your visit for cooler hours.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction / Ernakulam Town Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Krishnapuram Palace

Krishnapuram Palace represents an important chapter in Kerala’s rich historical heritage. Kerala’s history spans thousands of years — from the ancient Chera dynasty and the spice trade with civilisations across the Arabian Sea, through the colonial era of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence, to the post-independence period. The state’s strategic location on the global spice route made it a crossroads of cultures, resulting in a unique blend of indigenous and foreign influences visible in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the historical significance of this site? — The site’s history is usually explained through information boards, guidebooks, and local guides. Hire a guide for the most detailed historical context. Is the site well-preserved? — Major heritage sites in Kerala are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Kerala State Archaeology Department. Preservation standards are generally good at popular sites. Can I take photographs? — Photography is generally permitted at historical sites. Interior photography may be restricted at some sites. Tripods may require special permission.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Kerala
• Category: Historical Monuments

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.