Welcome to the International Coir Museum, where the doormats are anything but boring!
Located in Kalavoor, Alleppey, this museum is a tribute to the coir industry of Kerala, showcasing its journey from ancient times to the mechanization of the modern era. With a theme of “coir beautiful,” the museum offers an entertaining and interactive experience that will make you fall in love with coir.
At first, one would be were skeptical about visiting a coir museum, but would be pleasantly surprised! Who knew that a museum dedicated to coconut fibers could be so captivating? The museum not only educates visitors on the history of coir but also offers beautiful handcrafted coir ornaments and other souvenirs in their small shop.
The museum displays are well-curated and colorful, featuring examples of the development of the industry from cottage to factory. There are also many beautiful statues and pictures made from natural and dyed coir, which we found fascinating.
To visit, you can take a car or taxi, as it’s located just 8.4 km from the main Alappuzha town. The museum is open from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, except on Mondays. Entry tickets are INR 50, so don’t forget to bring cash or a card with you.
The coir industry has come a long way since the days of twisting fibers between the palms of hands. Thanks to technological advancements, there are now motorized spinning machines and high-speed doubling machines that can produce up to 10 spinning heads in eight hours. And who knew that a bacterial cocktail called “Coirret” could be used to ret fibers in just three months, or that an eco-friendly auxisoftener called “K” and tamarind extract could be used to treat fibers in just 12 hours?
Overall, the International Coir Museum is a fascinating and humorous destination that is sure to surprise you. Who knew that something as simple as coir could be so interesting?