This vast array of Gujarat museums and galleries, inevitably stretches to all its corners. Places like Dharampur, Rajkot, Surat, Varodara, Bhavnagar, Junagarh, Bhuj, Prabhas-Patan, Ahmedabad, Varodara and many others serve as the proud bearers of one of a kind museums in India.
The Gujarat museums and galleries have truly proved to be a charm in inspiring the masses to take interest in intriguing subjects like archeology, science, art and many more and reinvent themselves through this exploration of a new horizon.
Famous museums and galleries in Gujarat
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is constructed in the base of the scintillating Laxmi Vilas Museum. The exquisite pattern and the mind-boggling design that has been employed in the construction of this magnanimous structure reminds the viewer of its meek resemblance with the Indo-Saracenic manner of engineering.
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum was originally a residential complex that belonged to the Gaekwad family. Later the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum was built in the courtyard of the Laxmi Vilas Palace to house the personal souvenirs and other artistic marvels that exclusively belonged to the Gaekwad family.
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum was meant to be a poly-utility museum that reflects the true grandeur and classy taste of the Gaekwad family. The mansion was actually meant to be the school building that belonged to the the Maharaja's kids. Most of the works that are exhibited here are procured by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III on his brief odysseys to India
Main attractions of the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum in Varodara are listed below :-
- The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum at Varodara houses the exclusive paintings from Indian as well as European artists that are truly life-like.
- The most renowned paintings include the masterpieces of Raja Ravi Varma who painted amazingly life-like portraits depicting the Royal family itself and also some of his paintings depicted scenes from the Hindu mythology as well.
- There are also exquisite works made of bronze and marbles that were created by artists who were specially called for this purpose by the king himself.
- Among the artists who descended from Italy was Fellici.
- There were other collections of sculptures that belonged to Japan and China were also displayed at the museum.
Gandhi Museum
The Gandhi Museum is virtually a living testimonial to the Indian Legend in true sense, Mahatma Gandhi. He selflessly devoted his entire life to the struggle for independence and his doctrine on "Ahimsa" or Non-Violence is still reckoned to be the most lethal weapon that can demoralize and finally compel the foe to give up without a single drop of blood-shed. Mahatma Gandhi will always be an icon for the youth and live in our hearts through his immortal beliefs and wide-spread love and warmth. He is that person who virtually changed India's destiny single-handedly and sowed the seeds of brotherhood and peace which have bloomed into independent and secular India.
The Gandhi Museum has been erected in order to commemorate this great human being and inspire the coming generation to continue the fight against evil keeping in mind, 'Ahimsa', or Non-Violence.
Special Attractions
- Extremely uncommon snaps that portray memorable moments of Gandhiji's life's are displayed in Gandhi Museum. The visitors through viewing these priceless moments of the legend himself on film can relate themselves with him and realize that he was not so different from us, but it was his sheer will-power and courage that helped him to succeed in his endeavor to free India.
- The Gandhi Museum also houses many letters, other documents and other possessions of "The Father of the Nation".
- There is also ample scope for prayers, documentary movies, recordings made from his lectures for the visitors.
- The address of Gandhi Museum in Gujarat is :-
Gandhi Smriti
Bhavnagar 364001
Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya
The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya treasures the reputation of being one of those venues that houses the priced memorabilia of perhaps one of the most, influential and inspiring individuals who has ever walked this earth, Mahatma Gandhi.
The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya aims to pay homage to the greatest spiritual and political leaders who almost single-handedly freed India from the persecution, turmoil and total annihilation caused by the British rulers.
His doctrine of 'Non-Violence' still holds good even in today's jet age.
Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as "The Father of the Nation", for his indispensable contributions to aid India strive towards independence.
The modern architectural extension of the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya was completed in the year 1963. The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya displays pictographs that captured unforgettable moments from Mahatma Gandhi's illustrious life.
Attractions:-
- There are numerous pictures of Mahatma Gandhi sharing the screen space with her beloved spouse Kasturba Gandhi.
- Several books, holographs and other priced possessions of Mahatma Gandhi are kept on display at the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya in Gujarat.
- Other antiques include the authentic 'Spinning Wheel' that was manually used by 'Bapu', as he is affectionately designated as by his fellow country-men.
- Life-like illustrations on canvas depicting Mahatma Gandhi in different postures really makes feel that you are actually with Bapu.
- Other priceless souvenirs that Mahatma Gandhi had used include his own 'Writing Desk'. This makes you realize the simplicity and honesty with which this great human being actually led his life.
- The address of Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya at Gujarat is :
Harijan Ashram
Ahmedabad-380 013
i>Ancient holographs that are created on palm leaves belonging to the Jainas are carefully preserved here like the 'Kalpasutra' that was further divided into three parts - Jinacharita, Samachari and Sthaviravali.
Among other Jaina holograph that are displayed at the Calico Museum of Textiles in Gujarat are the Samgrahani Sutra and Patas that depicts their version of the universe and different phenomenons occurring in the cosmos.
Baroda Museum
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad, a charismatic icon to many, laid the foundation of the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery in the year 1887. The Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery is well-endowed with a vast array of spectacular and extremely rare antiquities that has presented it with a completely new dimension and has also earned it immense respect and gratitude on a global scale.
Today, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery is recognized as one of the most sought after museums located in the eastern realm of India.
The Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery comprises of two separate buildings that possesses a meek exuberance of Indo-Saracenic engineering. Majority of the coveted articles residing in the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery of Gujarat was personally accrued by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad.
It was the sheer aspiration of two men which laid down the corner stone of this legendary mansion. They were RF Chisholm and Major RN Ment whose architectural magnificence gave shape to the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery of Gujarat.
Special Attractions
- Graeco-Roman gallery
- European Roman, 7th-18th centuries AD (pre-industrial period) and 8th-20th centuries AD
- Unique exhibition Vestibule
- Library armed with many books.
- Store, Civilizations and Arts of Asia
- Japanese Gallery
- Tibetan and Nepalese Gallery
- Egyptian along with Babylonian Gallery
- Gallery dedicated to Chinese artifacts.
- Islamic Gallery containing pictures descending from Persia, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Spain, etc.
- Baroda room (Depicting Gujarati and Maratha artforms)
- Indian art gallery.
- Central Vestibule (Baroda state history)
- Prehistoric room and a section featuring Archaeological specimens
- Modern Indian picture gallery, natural history room
- Zoology, Paleontology and Ethnology
- Mineralogy, petrology, geology
Last Updated on : June 11, 2013
