Kerala Folklore Museum
Kerala Folklore Museum
4.5
Architectural BuildingsArt MuseumsHistory Museums
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 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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  • Lakshmi
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    MUST VISIT
    Must visit place in Kochi for art and history lovers. It's not just about Kerala but includes other South Indian states too . Wish they were allowed some more space to keep all the artifacts . An enchanting place that would take you to another era. Can make small shopping too. Do visit this place to know the true kerala culture and history.pay an extra100 and fotography is also allowed.
    Thanks for your response on TripAdvisor. We appreciate it very much
    Written 14 May 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 13 May 2023
  • Murthism
    Vadodara, India20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A new way to experience history
    We hadn't done our homework before coming here and it was just something that our guide suggested. And what a great decision! Brilliant place! We were completely taken aback by the sheer range and inclusivity of the exhibits - From thousands of years old burial urns and ancient musical instruments to Hindu carvings, Christian idols and a 17th century handwritten Quran. It is amazing that this place is a result of one person - George J Thaliath's dedication and perseverance. Don't forget to check the architecture of this place as well. Each pillar, roof and teakwood stair has been carefully sourced and brought in here to create this marvel!
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience on TripAdvisor. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and appreciate your kind words.
    Written 25 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 21 June 2023
  • serah
    Rajasthan, India3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome experience of kerala culture
    The Kerala folklore museum was extraordinary experience for me. The museum consists of three floors and the third floor took me to another world of master carpentry of kerala architect and the time spent with Meenu was quality time she was really a gem she explained each and every thing in detail. It was a very good experience I strongly recommend each and every one who comes to Cochi to visit Folklore Museum It's a single persons collection and it has no government support.
    It's great to hear from you on TripAdvisor and we appreciate your response
    Written 27 July 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 July 2023
  • laya
    Maldives2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cultural reflection
    The Kerala Folklore Museum is a fascinating cultural institution located in Kochi, Kerala, India. It showcases an impressive collection of traditional art, artifacts, and historical objects that depict the rich heritage and folklore of the region. Visitors can explore various exhibits masks, sculptures, musical instruments, and more, providing a glimpse into Kerala's vibrant culture and history. It's a must-visit destination for those interested in immersing themselves in the local traditions and folklore of Kerala.The guide ms.meenu was so much informative and friendly her appearance and attitude was appreciatable.
    Please accept our sincere thanks for your response on TripAdvisor
    Written 18 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 August 2023
  • Abraham
    United States1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great collection and effort
    Kerala folklore museum thevara has a vasinating collectios in it. Its a personal collection of Mr. George.J.Thaliath each floor is build in different architectural style and a complete kerala culture is experienced inside there is a staff in ground floor to explain each and every artifacts exhibited in that floor her effort is appreciatable and all other staffs are so friendly I have a request to the management that it is better to have a receptionist with a great communication skill my first impression towards this museum was ruined because of her welcoming. It will be better if you work on it all the best to Mr.Jacob who is taking care of the museum now well done and great job
    We apologize for any inconvenience caused during your visit. We strive to provide a high level of service and will take steps to ensure that this does not happen again
    Written 25 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 26 August 2023
  • Robin W
    248 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unique and wonderful collection
    Really special place. One man’s collecting passion for the cultural artifacts of India. Filled with treasures and idiosyncrasies. And on the top floor, items are available for purchase at reasonable prices from the lovely staff. Be prepared: you need to check your shoes at the door. Once I saw the beautiful teak floors I understood.
    We are grateful for your glowing review on TripAdvisor. It means a lot to our team to receive feedback that recognizes our efforts to provide exceptional service and quality experiences.
    Written 25 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 September 2023
  • Fearless43913294143
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Experience
    I got a golden opportunity to visit the famous kerala folklore museum. The museum building is robust and majestic. The museum has various departments that have collectibles and artifacts on different subjects and historical periods on display.
    Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with us on TripAdvisor. Your review not only brightens our day but also helps other travelers make informed decisions about us. We appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back soon.
    Written 25 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 September 2023
  • Laura P
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Extraordinary collection of art and artifacts
    This started as the private collection of one man, who built a traditionally-styled house to hold it all. They don't have the resources to document everything as a regular museum would do, but it is packed with a wide variety of pieces of all sizes, some over 2000 years old. You could walk through in less than an hour, or move slowly to study the details of the carvings, silver filigree, painting, etc. I'm so glad that I didn't miss it! (There's a small shop and cafe at the top of the building, but I wasn't pressured to buy anything.)
    Thank you for taking the time to leave a review about us! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit and found our museum to be a worthwhile experience. Our team takes great pride in preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala, and we are glad to have made an impact on your travels. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back again soon!
    Written 3 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 29 September 2023
  • Trail789640
    5 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, India350 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
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,161 reviews
Excellent
658
Very good
361
Average
109
Poor
15
Terrible
18

darlene563
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
Outstanding museum that illustrates India's rich history of story telling through the arts. It's also a testimony to the family that is preserving that history and art for all to enjoy.
Written 12 March 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.
Thank you for appreciating our museum and recognizing the importance of preserving India's rich history and storytelling traditions through art. We are committed to sharing these cultural treasures with everyone and are delighted that you enjoyed your visit. We look forward to welcoming you back to experience more of our heritage and continue celebrating the beauty of our country's artistic legacy.
Written 14 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jeff C
Oxford, UK102 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
A brilliant museum, packed full of fascinating and locally-made artefacts. Provides a great insight into the history of Kochi and Kerala. Highly recommended!
Written 6 March 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.
Thank you for your kind words! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring our museum and learning about the rich history of Kochi and Kerala. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more fascinating discoveries in the future!
Written 8 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ToucanSam787
Houston, TX86 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
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.
Written 26 February 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.
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.

Culture22876981741
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
The collection was very nice and was maintained very well, highly recommend. I went with my family and we all enjoyed artefacts with historical relevance around the world
Written 11 February 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.
It's wonderful to hear that you and your family enjoyed the impressive collection of artifacts with historical significance from around the world. Exploring such exhibits can be a fascinating and enriching experience for all ages. Thank you for sharing your positive recommendation!
Written 12 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Suddhendu Chakraborty
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
An amazing journey to the cultural heart of Kerala.The museum glipmses through the Indo Dutch Portugese history, their traditions,customs and if you are keen enough, you may also grab one two mementoes or a piece of Kerala cotton from the retail.The journey to Kochi will be rendered incomplete if one fails to visit Folklore Museum.
Written 4 February 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.

DEVIDATTA S
3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
Expensive ticket. It is less a museum,more an exhibition of goods . Not worth the ticket price . The attendants talk about three floors of different culture ,Malabar -Islamic,Cochin-Christian and travancore -Hindu . But you will not be able to discern. Can be avoided . You will not miss much except the money you could have spend on something worthwhile.
Written 28 January 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.
We are sorry to hear that you had a disappointing experience at the museum. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We appreciate hearing from our visitors, as it helps us to improve our offerings and enhance the overall experience for our guests. We understand that the cost of admission may be a concern for some visitors, and we are constantly evaluating our prices to ensure they are fair and reasonable. We would love the opportunity to make it up to you and provide a more enjoyable experience during your next visit. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any further concerns or feedback
Written 29 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JAS
Palo Alto, CA81 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
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.
Written 25 January 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.
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.

ujwala s
Mumbai, India28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
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
Written 22 January 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.
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.

Linda G
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
A veritable cornucopia of artefacts and information. Pay the extra 100 to be able to take photos. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
Written 6 January 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.
It sounds like you had a great experience with a lot to see and learn! Being able to take photos can definitely enhance the experience and allow you to capture memories of all the amazing artifacts and information. It's worth considering the extra fee to ensure you can look back on your visit with fond memories. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Written 14 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Katherine
7 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
A visit is worth it for the beautiful building alone. There are incredible ceilings, wood-work, and paintings to see. However, the museum could be significantly improved. Its absolutely stuffed with artifacts- very few are given any context or explanation. This is a completely wasted opportunity, as there were some very nice pieces and it would have been a good opportunity to learn more about the culture of Kerala. Additionally, the fee is very high compared to other attractions in the area, on top of which is an additional camera fee.
Written 4 January 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.
Thank you for your feedback on the museum. We appreciate your interest in the beautiful architectural features of the building. We are sorry to hear that you found the museum lacking in context and explanation for the artifacts. We understand the importance of providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the culture. We will take your feedback into consideration as we work towards improving our exhibits and providing visitors with a more informative and enriching experience. Regarding the fees, we will review our pricing structure to ensure that it remains competitive with other attractions in the area. We hope that you will visit us again in the future and see the improvements we have made.
Written 14 January 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 Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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