Things To Do

Butterfly Walk

Wander through blooming trails where butterflies dance among native flora.

A scientifically designed 20 terraced garden supporting butterfly life cycles through native host plants. It emphasizes the ecological significance of butterflies, their behaviours, and conservation strategies, offering an immersive experience with a multi terraced viewing deck.

Sacred Plants Trail

Explore a guided trail featuring plants once revered in rituals, healing, and tradition.

The Sacred Pathway begins where Pepper Garden tour end; the core of the theme is sacred plants worshiped, in India during its five phases of cultural evolution.

Photoshoot Zones

Capture stunning moments in nature-inspired settings surrounded by greenery, blooms, and heritage charm.

Snap iconic backdrops from lotus ponds to banyan swings.
Six curated photo circles set beside lotus ponds, butterfly meadows and a 100-year banyan swing.
Magnificent light, tripod-friendly decks and staff tips turn every family portrait, macro shot or pre-wedding pose into a magazine-ready memory.

Vegetable Harvesting

Experience the joy of harvesting fresh, seasonal vegetables straight from the garden—hands-on, fun, and family-friendly.

A collection of over 35 organically grown vegetables, emphasizing sustainable agriculture and the importance of chemical-free cultivation. Join our chef in experiencing the uniqueness of Valluvanada’s recipe, highlighted by use of steamed leafy vegetable.

Birding Trails

Join our naturalist in birding trails, along the van Rheede and Itty achuthan avenues and associated pathways of garden to spot the diversity in birdlife across the seasons.

Join our naturalist in birding trails, along the van Rheede and Itty achuthan avenues and associated pathways of garden to spot the diversity in birdlife across the seasons.

Garden Map

Step into the vibrant botanical world of 17th-century Malabar. The Garden Map of Malabar is an interactive experience that traces the native habitats of over 700 plant species featured in Hortus Malabaricus, one of the world’s earliest and most comprehensive botanical works.
Explore coastal regions, forest trails, and riverbanks—each marked with plants once studied by local healers and recorded by Dutch naturalists.

The Garden Story

The Book

Roots of Wisdam: Hendrik van Rheede, born in 1636 in Utrecht, Holland, began his career as an officer in the Dutch East India Company (VOC), where he played a key role in military campaigns on the Malabar Coast and in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) against the Portuguese.

His administrative acumen and diplomatic skills earned him the position of Governor of Malabar. Van Rheede’s tenure as Governor immersed him in the cultural and natural wealth of the region.

Present Garden

Located in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District, Kerala, this 27-acre garden draws inspiration from the 17th-century Hortus Malabaricus, the monumental botanical work by Dutch commander Hendrik van Rheede.

What They Say

Nature’s
Handwriting in Green

Ink fades. But the roots remain

Itty Achudan
play
play

These plants were known long before they were mapped—by hands that healed and hearts that remembered

Itty Achudan

Past Events

04 OCT 2025

2nd Edition of Rasa Dhara The Experience of Kutiyattam

Step into the world of tradition and storytelling with “Jatayu Vadham” – a powerful Kūṭiyāṭṭaṁ performance where Jatayu, the noble bird, bravely confronts Ravana to rescue Sita. A tale of courage, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

  • 5:45PM
  • HM garden
12 SEP 2025

Rasa Dhara The Experience of Kutiyattam

Experience the timeless art of Kūtīyāṭṭam, India’s oldest Sanskrit theatre tradition, brought to life monthly at Hortus Malabaricus Botanical Garden.

  • 6:00 PM
  • HM garden
09 AUG 2025 - 10 AUG 2025

350 years of Hortus Malabaricus and ahead

Join the international workshop on exploring the crucial role of indigenous knowledge penned by herbalists of Malabar and the promises they store for future.

  • 09: 00 AM - 18: 00 PM
  • HM garden
29 JUL 2025 - 02 AUG 2025

Kutiyattam Curtain Raiser

Join the team at Hortus garden for prelude to week long events, in connection with International festival of Kutiyattam.

  • 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • HM garden
27 JAN 2025

Garden Inauguration

The Hortus Malabaricus Garden inauguration and opening ceremony was held on January 27th, 2025, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Hortus Malabaricus Garden in Thrissur. The event featured Chief Guest Hon Minister M.B. Rajesh, who led the tree planting ceremony, alongside dignitaries like Dr. Robin Coningham and Dr. P.K. Biju. This plant conservation project, managed by Sam Santhosh of the SciGenom Research Foundation, marked an important milestone in preserving botanical heritage.

  • 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
23 JAN 2025 - 26 JAN 2025

KLF

The 8th edition of the Kerala Literature Festival was held from January 23-26, 2025, at Kozhikode Beach. France was the guest nation, featuring over 15 authors and 8 publishers. The festival highlighted diverse genres including young adult, children’s books, humanities, and fiction.

  • Kozhikode Beach