Kerala Folklore Museum
Kerala Folklore Museum
4.5
Architectural BuildingsArt MuseumsHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Folklore Museum aims to provide art education to the students and helping to provide visual and academic knowledge to the art lovers, researchers and travelers from all over the world. Folklore museum is the only architectural museum in Kerala and the treasure trove of stone, wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, wood works, utensils, masks and traditional art forms etc. these are around 4000 artifacts from tiny to large size on display. This ethnic museum is the essence of the life and culture of the common man over the past 1000 years.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Trail789640
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go visit! A fascinating place
    What an amazing place. I went with my daughter who is a history and heritage graduate. We were greeted by the original owners son, who gave us some background information that was much appreciated. It was overwhelming to see so many artifacts in one place. A very beautiful building jam-packed with interesting things. We also had ginger coffee and cake, bought some souvenirs and made a small donation to help boost the funds of this private collection. Well worth a visit.
    We are delighted to hear that you had a great time with us! Thank you for sharing your experience on TripAdvisor. We truly appreciate your kind words and are happy to hear that our efforts to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment are paying off. We look forward to seeing you again in the future!
    Written 13 December 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 December 2023
  • SandyWest
    Bengaluru, India386 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Kerala's History in a Nutshell!!!!
    very unlike place that we got to visit in Kochi!!! This privately set-up and managed museum of the rich and varied cultural heritage of Kerala is an experience of a new kind, indeed The founder has undoubtedly made a valuable contribution to the nation by assembling and curating 30+ thousand artefacts and items of historical significance. The beautiful wooden building with its exquisite carvings and enormous beams housing the three levels of exhibits by itself is a master display of the Malabar architecture. The collections represent centuries of cross cultural and multi religious richness of Kerala. Coins, jewellery, costumes, lifestyle items, pieces of earthenware and pottery constitute a major part of the museum. It was well worth an experience spending about two hours trying to get at least a glimpse of the state's history.
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience at the Kerala Folklore Museum We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit and that our exhibits and artifacts left a lasting impression. Our team takes great pride in showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and we are delighted to know that our efforts have been appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience. Thank you again for your kind words and for choosing to visit the Kerala Folklore Museum.
    Written 3 January 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 January 2024
  • ujwala s
    Mumbai, India30 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must visit in Kochi
    This place gave a wholesome experience in kerala culture and architecture. The museum is compact and has 3 levels. It has a lot of sculptures, idols and paintings which depict keralas rich culture from centuries. Must visit in Kochi
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our museum and found it to be a great representation of Kerala's culture and architecture. We hope to continue providing visitors with a wholesome and immersive cultural experience. Thank you for recommending us as a must-visit destination in Kochi. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
    Written 23 January 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 22 January 2024
  • JAS
    Palo Alto, California82 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best thing to do in Cochin!
    Don't miss this gem! It's the 40,000 artifact museum of a private collector who had exquisite and wide-ranging taste. And normally I speed through museums but this one is so fascinating that it took me over 2 hours to get through it. You have to take your shoes off before you enter, so you might consider bringing socks if your feet are tender.
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our museum! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring our collection and found it to be fascinating. We take pride in the wide range of artifacts on display, which showcase the exquisite taste of our founder who assembled them. We appreciate your note about the shoes-off policy and recommend bringing socks for those with tender feet. We hope to see you again soon!
    Written 26 January 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 January 2024
  • ToucanSam787
    Houston, Texas94 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not to be missed!
    Best museum in Kerala! This private museum has the best collection of paintings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry and various accoutrements of dance forms in Kerala that I've seen. They showcase beautiful examples of wood carvings and statuary from around the state. There are fine examples of Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Jain art as well as some ancient prehistoric artifacts. This museum has it all. They have also done a good job of providing informative signs everywhere.
    Thank you for your kind words! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to our museum and appreciated our diverse collection of art and artifacts. We are dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala through a wide range of exhibits. Your feedback is truly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you back to explore more of our treasures in the future.
    Written 8 March 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 February 2024
  • Jason B
    New York City, New York158 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chock full of interesting items and a learning experience
    This was a favorite stop on our itinerary. The place is chock full of Kerala culture objects which we found fascinating as well as appreciating some Hindu mythology that is sometimes described with the articles. 3 floors worth of stuff to browse.. 4000 items.. we spent 20-30 minutes time. Well worth the 600 rupee admission fee.
    Thank you for visiting our museum and sharing your positive experience. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the rich cultural artifacts from Kerala and Hindu mythology. It's wonderful to know that you found the variety of items on our three floors fascinating. We look forward to welcoming you back for another enriching visit in the future.
    Written 7 April 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 March 2024
  • Stacey S
    San Francisco, California2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you go nowhere else in Kochi, come here
    If you go absolutely nowhere else while visiting Kochi, you must come here. A coworker had suggested coming and had said something similar - go here, if nowhere else, and I can confirm this is a wonderful, fascinating place. It is unique in that this is a private museum — the vast collection of one man, and for that reason it funds itself through the variety of small shops on the second and third floors, instead of through grants or subsidies. From the moment you arrive, you realize this is a special place — take off your footwear outside before entering, and you immediately feel at home. Admission is very reasonable, and I highly suggest paying the extra 100R for the right to take photos. The staff are all extremely knowledgeable and many of them are the artisans and craftspeople whose wares are being sold in the shops. There is also several large cases of antiques, including gorgeous temple jewelry, for sale, in support of the museum. You will be overwhelmed - there are unique and fascinating artifacts and architectural details everywhere, and signage is plentiful, giving you insight into what you’re looking at. Go slowly so as not to miss anything — it’s easy to forget that right behind you are even more treasures to see. And definitely head up to the third floor where there are multiple different small shops selling jewelry, clothes, and textiles — it’s all in support of the museum and the local artisans who make what is for sale. I spent 3 hours there without even realizing the time had passed — truly, a wonderful experience and one I’m grateful to have had.
    Thank you so much for your glowing review of the Kerala Folklore Museum! We are thrilled to hear that you had such an enriching experience and that our unique collection left a lasting impression on you. It's wonderful to know that the personalized touch of our private museum and the dedication of our knowledgeable staff contributed to your visit. We love that you took the time to explore our diverse array of artifacts, antiques, and support our local artisans. Your detailed account of your visit captures the essence of what we strive to offer every guest. We're delighted that you felt at home here and appreciated the opportunity to delve into the cultural treasures of Kerala. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable journey through our museum. Safe travels and warm regards! Antony V S Kerala Folklore Museum
    Written 15 August 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 22 June 2024
  • Abhijeet Krishnan
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must-visit for the Kochi tourist
    We visited the Kerala Folklore Museum in August 2024, amidst heavy rains against the backdrop of the terrible tragedy at Wayanad. The museum pops up as one of the first few search results when looking for 'places to visit in Kochi', and was close to Matancherry Palace, that we also wanted to visit. Images of it showing the rich collection of artifacts on display were also quite enticing. The traditional architecture of the building is immediately striking against the mundane "urbanality" around it. There was no crowd, and neat racks were present to keep shoes. Ticketing was a bit awkward. The receptionist at the counter asked where we were from and next announced the ticket price, leading to a feeling that had we said we were local Keralites, perhaps we could have gotten a cheaper rate than the pricey â‚ą200 per person they quoted. Adding to this feeling is that credit cards were not accepted; cash only. However, this feeling was quickly forgotten once we entered the museum proper. The sheer number of artifacts crammed together in this tiny museum room was so different compared to a more "traditional" museum like in Matancherry Palace, which very nearly gives each artifact its own room. The artifacts themselves are also varied and photogenic enough to both educate and inspire. Those looking for more historical education might be a bit disappointed since the plurality of artifacts means that there is very little effort devoted to explaining their origins or historical context. Overall, the Kerala Folklore Museum is a must-visit, despite the slightly steep ticket price. All I'll say is, the â‚ą200 sandwich I had later for lunch did not satiate me as well as the museum did. Kudos to Mr. Thaliath and his wonderful family for all the effort they've poured into maintaining this.
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed experience at the Kerala Folklore Museum. We're delighted to hear that you found the rich collection of artifacts both educational and inspiring, and that the traditional architecture stood out as a highlight of your visit. We truly appreciate your kind words about our efforts to maintain the museum. We apologize for any inconvenience you faced with the ticketing process and the payment options. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will look into making the ticketing experience more transparent and convenient for all visitors. We also understand that providing more historical context for our artifacts could enhance the educational value, and we will consider ways to improve this aspect. Thank you again for your thoughtful review and for recommending the Kerala Folklore Museum. We hope to welcome you back in the future, and perhaps next time, the skies will be clearer and your experience even more enriching. Safe travels! Antony V S
    Written 15 August 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 2 August 2024
  • Prasanth J
    Kochi (Cochin), India103 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A decent private museum
    A private museum a nice collection by Mr. Thaliath. Give a glimpse of our the past traditions, architecture, monuments, artifacts of South India. The entry fee is a bit high for a local tourist. And the additional fee for taking pictures. Highly recommended for foreigners. An guide tour would have been worthwhile for the entry fee paid.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughtful review of Kerala Folklore Museum! We're delighted that you appreciated our collection, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of South India. We understand your concern about the entry fee for local tourists and will consider tiered pricing options in the future. Regarding photography fees, we use these to support conservation efforts and educational programs. We take your suggestion to heart and are exploring guided tour options to enhance the visitor experience. Thank you for recommending us to international visitors! We value your feedback and look forward to serving you better in the future.
    Written 25 September 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 September 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,173 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
363
Average
111
Poor
15
Terrible
19

natureluvrsozursanandpayal
Melbourne, Australia12 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Our driver took us to this museum and they charged us nearly 500 since we were foreigners even though for Indians it costs even less than half. It is a collection of items (many repeated items of the same nature and placed at different places) that the Museum founder had collected from Kerala culture over the last 40 years or so. I think the only amazing part for me was to see the wooden roofs than anything else. It is very hot and can feel a bit claustrophobic inside because of lack of ventilation. Not something that I would recommend as high on the list.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Akshay S
61 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
We were a group of 4 people and we visited on 21st January 2023 . They charged us 400 rupees per person ± 100 rupees for camera / mobile photography as a foreigner . It is a museum of traditional local architecture as well as crafts , art , antiques . There are 3 floors with each floor being different from another . Useful for those who are interested in history and antiques and have great knowledge and history about south india and past of south india . (18 ,19 20 th century ) . I felt like it was too conjusted for me as there were a lot of architects placed together from one another . You are not allowed to wear shoe wear inside the structure so recommend wearing socks .
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Violet M.
Fairfield, CT40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
You have to visit this place! It is such a gem. This museum houses the astonishing collection of a private collector, whose family now maintains and protects the collection. The artwork and cultural heritage collected within this museum rival some of the best collections I've seen in the US and Europe. This is truly a Smithsonian-level collection, and all local to Cochin, Kerala, and Indian history. If you like artwork and want to see a good museum in India, this is one of the best! Plus, the nicest staff work there. Absolute must-see!!
Written 10 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for reviewing us
Written 13 April 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Annie
Bicheno, Australia40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Solo
I am generally not very interested in museums but the artefacts on display here are simply amazing and full credit must be given to the founder and his family for ensuring these treasures are maintained and presented for the public’s enjoyment. The entrance fee is minimal considering the upkeep this type of collection would require and I definitely recommend a visit. Keep up the good work and ignore any negative reviews as they have obviously not engaged in such an enormous undertaking to appreciate the dedication and commitment given to this project.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your response on TripAdvisor. We appreciate it very much
Written 23 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

sherazz
malaysia95 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
My visit here was with family and they are a child friendly place-staff are extremely helpful and nice. Just keep an eye on the kids as there are many small items all over which they could easily reach and grab. The collection displayed was simply amazing, and to learn that it was all from a private collector makes it an even more magical experience. The building itself has fantastic architecture and the beauty of the displayed items is something you would not want to miss. Take your time in viewing the displayed items as they are really unique. Definitely a place worth visiting.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LaserxWright
London, UK153 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
The location of this place is directly outside Fort Kochi. It has a brilliant collection of items from different cities around India, Bengal and Kerala. You can learn more about the history of the objects and you can also visualise what they did with all of those items. Every item in this museum tells a story. The collection consists of paintings, animal decorations, wooden sculptures, toys, Christian art, lifestyle artefacts, utensils, tribal art, traditional oil lamps, masks, stone sculptures, jewellery, bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, antique furnitures, antique collections and an antique jewellery box collection.
You can also learn about the different cultures by looking at this collection.
The promoters of this museum did an excellent job in keeping this place well maintained and in excellent condition.
Anyone who loves history and culture should visit this place.
I recommend this place to everyone.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Abhitheexplorer
New Delhi, India111 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
We went there as it was part of our trip itinerary. It is recommended only for those who have keen interest in historical art collection 20000+ art effects collected by a private collector. Good collection of sarees to but from on reasonable price.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nagaharthana R
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019
The museum is packed with so much to see. U will only find a small path cleared to walk through. It was mix of ancient and few mid times antiques for us to see. Based on crafts & Folk art, there is a variety of artifacts to get mesmerized. The architecture of this authentic Kerala style building keeps it in flavour. The building itself speaks on realistic wooden carpentry of Kerala. A must visit spot learn about the various ancient art forms of Kerala.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SoumitraBose
London, UK363 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Just outside Fort Kochi, is this private collection of a family. Founded by George Thaliath and his wife Annie George, this museum has an unbelievable collection of artefacts and paintings from various parts of Kerala. George is no more but his wife and young son Jacob manages the place now. The wood panelled building took 7 years to complete - the top floor has a wooden ceiling taken from an old temple.

This is indeed a hidden gem. You have the opportunity also to buy some pieces which help to fund the upkeep of this wonderful museum. I have bought one (first pic) which I will treasure. My 2 other favourite pieces were the huge Durga and the cute Kama figures below. Thanks Jacob (pic below) for doing such a wonderful job of preserving heritage.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Azaad rooh
62 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2024 • Family
It’s a display of artifacts with little or no information. Rs 200 per head ticket cost and camera chargeable separately they can add more information to each artifacts telling the story. The staffs are not much knowledgeable, their intentions is to sell products on the second and third floor.
Moreover it’s a tie up with the taxi driver who presumably gets a commission.
Completely avoidable.
Written 20 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Reviewer, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about the Kerala Folklore Museum. We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We truly value your input, as it helps us improve our services. We understand your concerns about the lack of information provided for the artifacts, and we are currently working on enhancing our displays with detailed descriptions to enrich our visitors' experience. Your suggestion to add more informative content is well-noted, and we will strive to implement this soon. Regarding the staff, we will ensure that they receive additional training to better assist and provide knowledgeable insights to our guests. We apologize if you felt that the focus was more on selling products; our primary aim is to share the rich cultural heritage of Kerala with our visitors. We hope you will consider visiting us again in the future and give us another opportunity to provide you with a more enriching and enjoyable experience. Best regards, Antony V S Kerala Folklore Museum
Written 16 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Kerala Folklore Museum - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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