Built in 1881 in an Indo-Saracenic style after a fire destroyed the old palace, the New Palace remains a residence for the Kolhapur royal family while its ground floor operates as a museum displaying royal weaponry, clothing, coins and a large collection of hunting trophies collected by past rulers. New Palace Museum sits at an elevation of 565 m and is typically explored in about 1-2 hours. The most favourable months to visit are November, December, January, and February, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Other notable highlights include maratha royal weapons and armour collection, intricate Rajwada-style carved wooden doors, and hunting trophies gallery with mounted tigers and leopards. It falls within Maharashtra, India.
State: Maharashtra
Ideal Duration: 1-2 Hours
November, December, January, February
Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours to comfortably explore the museum’s key halls and the surrounding garden. The ground floor is largely accessible, but the upper floors have narrow staircases with no lift, so seniors with knee or breathing issues may want to focus on the ground floor and ask staff for a chair to rest. Wheelchair access is partial, so it’s best to call ahead if you need specific assistance.
Yes, photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum halls, including on mobile phones, and security will ask you to deposit your camera or phone in lockers at the entrance. Small handbags are allowed but will be scanned, and large backpacks or trolley bags must be left at the cloakroom. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted anywhere inside.
The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, but it remains closed on Mondays and on public holidays like Republic Day and Independence Day. Entry for Indian adults is around ₹20, while senior citizens (above 60) get a concessional ticket of ₹10; foreign visitors pay ₹200. For group bookings of 10 or more, you can request a guided tour at a nominal extra charge, but it’s best to confirm at the ticket counter.
The highlight is the Durbar Hall with its intricate stained-glass ceiling, portraits of the Kolhapur royal family, and a collection of hunting trophies and vintage cars on the ground floor. There are also rare weapons, musical instruments, and a separate section on Mahatma Gandhi’s visit. English and Marathi descriptive boards are placed near most displays, but there is no audio guide; hiring a local guide outside is inexpensive and helpful for historical context.
The museum is about 3 km from the central bus stand and railway station, and an auto-rickshaw ride takes 10–15 minutes costing around ₹50–80. For private cars and tourist vans, there is a dedicated open parking area inside the palace compound that is free, but it fills up quickly on weekends. If you are arriving by a large coach, the driver can drop you at the main gate and park nearby at the side road without entry charges.