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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ₹200 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 ₹200 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.

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.