Pazhassiraja Museum

Pazhassiraja Museum in Kozhikode (celebrated across southern India as the premier archaeological museum of Malabar and named in honor of the revered freedom fighter Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja / The Lion of Kerala, constructed within a colonial heritage mansion atop the lush forested ridge of East Hill, world famous for its rare Megalithic Stone Age burial monuments, umbrella stones / Kudakkallu, hood stones / Topikkallu, ancient rock cut cave relics, Roman coins, centuries old bronze idols, and temple woodcarvings), located at East Hill in Kozhikode in Kerala, stands as the Malabar coast's premier archaeological treasure house.

Established in 1976 and managed directly by the State Archaeology Department, Government of Kerala, this prestigious museum preserves invaluable antiquities dating from 1000 BC to the 18th century AD, unearthed from megalithic dolmens and prehistoric burial sites across Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts.

It's the home of the specialized Megalithic Gallery showcasing giant earthenware urns (Nannangadi), Iron Age tridents, and terracotta figurines used in ancient Iron Age secondary burial rituals, the Numismatic and Inscription Wing exhibiting ancient Roman gold coins and Zamorin dynasty silver fanams, the Bronze and Stone Sculpture Gallery preserving 12th century Chola and Chera bronze icons of Nataraja, Ganesha, and Vishnu, the traditional temple woodcraft section displaying carved timber panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the adjoining V.K. Krishna Menon Art Gallery housing original oil paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, and an intensely inspiring, scholarly historical atmosphere where prehistoric Malabar civilization and colonial freedom struggles come alive.

It represents a rich Malabar archaeological heritage, prehistoric Megalithic culture, and anti colonial resistance history where burial urns, umbrella stones, ancient bronzes, and Kozhikode traditions unite in Pazhassiraja Museum.

Located on East Hill Road near the Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, it sits just 5 km north of Kozhikode Railway Station (CLT), 4 km from Kozhikode Beach, 28 km from Calicut International Airport in Karipur (CCJ), and 15 km from Beypore Port, easily accessible by auto rickshaw, city bus, or taxi from Mananchira Square.

Megalithic Burial Relics & Prehistoric Malabar

The museum houses the largest collection of Megalithic secondary burial artifacts in northern Kerala, dating from 1000 BC to 300 AD.

Unique umbrella stones (Kudakkallu) and hood stones (Topikkallu) carved from native laterite rock demonstrate sophisticated Iron Age engineering and burial customs.

Truth is, standing beside giant 3,000 year-old terracotta burial urns in the quiet museum halls is deeply humbling.

Pazhassi Raja Legacy & Bronze Idols Gallery

The Lion of Kerala: Commemorates Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of the Kottayam dynasty who fought against British East India Company forces in the Cotiote War.

Classical Bronze Wing: Features antique panchaloha temple idols, stone inscriptions in Vattezhuthu script, and miniature war cannon models.

Kozhikode Cultural & Coastal Circuit

East Hill Hub: Located directly adjoining the V.K. Krishna Menon Art Gallery, 4 km from Kozhikode Beach, and 4 km from Mananchira Square.

District Day Tour: Connects smoothly with Tali Shiva Temple (6 km), Kuttichira Mishkal Mosque (5 km), Beypore Port (15 km), and Kappad Beach (16 km).

After exploring the prehistoric galleries of Pazhassiraja Museum, visit the Krishna Menon Art Gallery, explore Kozhikode Beach, or tour Kozhikode.