One of the most important and well-liked southern attractions, the Arakkal Museum in Kannur City honors the legacy and magnificence of Kerala’s only Muslim royal family, the Arakkal Ali Rajas. This museum, which was once the royal family’s actual home and a magnificent palace, is a living example of exquisite Muslim architecture and design. Once the official location for the kings and their nobles to gather, the Durbar Hall of this palace is now managed by the Arakkal Family Trust and serves as the Arakkal Kettu Museum.
This museum has a large collection of items from the Arakkal Dynasty and other royal relics on display. The Arakkal Museum makes you feel as though you have traveled back in time to the 1600s because of how elegant and well-groomed the entire palace is. The Arakkal Dynasty’s artifacts and heritage items have been meticulously preserved and will never cease to astound you with their ostentatious grace and astounding class.
Exhibits at Arakkal Museum
The Arakkal Dynasty came to prominence primarily as a result of its monopoly and supremacy in the spice trade. They had developed cordial ties with the Dutch, Tipu Sultan, the great emperor, and Hyder Ali. The Arakkal Museum performs an excellent job of illuminating these astounding accomplishments of the Arakkal Dynasty. Numerous pieces of equipment used by the Arakkals in their maritime trade are among the exhibits that demonstrate their glory. Numerous artifacts on exhibit also show the Arakkals’ trading connections with European colonial powers.
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In addition to the family heirlooms and cultural artifacts, there are some fascinating items on display, such as royal copies of the Holy Quran, an antiquated phone, swords, daggers, and other royal weaponry, as well as a telescope. Personal belongings like the family’s royal seal, an Adhara Petti—a document holder used by the royals—and the Pathayam, a room used to store priceless objects and valuables, are also on display here.
Architecture of Arakkal Museum
The Arakkal Museum complex is situated on a large, open plot of land and has the shape of a long cuboid. The Arakkal kings and their nobles used this large area to offer Namaaz five times a day. Many people still offer their daily Namaaz here as part of this tradition, particularly on Fridays. The Arakkal Museum is located in the middle of the expansive main palace block, which is surrounded by four mosques.
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The museum is designed to resemble a long cuboid with hallways and passageways connecting it. The building’s main construction materials are wood and laterite, which is a design characteristic of Muslim kings. The authorities maintain and manage this two-story building immaculately. The museum’s upper floor features incredibly spacious hallways and ceilings that are twice as high. This place is special because of its windows, which are stained in red and blue hues and create an eye-catching display of lights inside.
Best Time To Visit Arakkal Museum
It is best to visit the Arakkal Museum during mild and comfortable weather, even though it is not particularly sensitive to the city’s weather patterns. Although Kannur has a pleasant climate all year round, the winter season, which runs from September through the last few days of February, is unquestionably the most fun.
How To Reach Arakkal Museum
Taking a bus from the Cannanore Bus Stand and getting off at the Palamadam Bus Stop—which is literally right next to the museum—would be a feasible option. You can take a local taxi if you prefer a comfortable ride.
At just 3.7 kilometers, the Kannur Railway Station is the closest train station to the Arakkal Museum, making it a significant intersection in Kerala. Taxis and cars are waiting outside the station to take you to the museum in about twenty minutes.
