The Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon built it to save the historical treasures which were present in those days. It covers about 2 hectares of land and is one of Chhattisgarh’s popular museums, among India’s top 10 oldest. The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur is one of the best Raipur tourist places to have an enjoyable day out with your family and friends.
History Of Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur
Hence, King Mahant Ghasidas made a museum with a really unique design with an octagonal building, like one that was inspired by the British. After 1945, they had too many things and not enough space, so they decided to make the museum bigger.
Since then, after King Mahant Ghasidas Rani Jyoti Devi and her son Raja Digvijay Das gave money to build a new museum in 1953, which was following their family’s tradition. Later then India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, inaugurated and opened the museum very grandly.
Architectural Design Of Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Chhattisgarh
Inside the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Chhattisgarh, there are two floors with five galleries where you can see interesting things segregated and kept. And guess what? There’s even a library right there in the same building as the museum!
The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur is filled with a lot of interesting things to check out! They’ve got carvings, sculptures made by the Kalachuri people, ancient weapons, old coins, bronze Buddhist statues, writings on stones, and even traditional clothes and jewellery worn by the tribes of Old Chhattisgarh. This special collection makes the museum one of the best places to visit in Chhattisgarh.
The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur is like a treasure trove with various sections to discover:
- In the Archeological Gallery, you’ll find fascinating items that were used from the Stone Age, which gives you a glimpse into ancient history.
- The Sculpture Gallery is a place which showcases beautiful stone statues of gods and goddesses, offering insights into religious beliefs.
- Additionally, there’s the Natural History Gallery, Anthropology Gallery, Tribal Gallery, and Ancient Arms and Armory Gallery, each presenting unique artefacts, artwork, and crafts.
- Upstairs, on the first floor of the museum, you’ll also encounter exhibits related to nature, such as displays featuring birds, mammals, and snakes, providing an opportunity to learn about the local wildlife.
Collection Of Statues From Past Era:
These masterpieces in the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Chhattisgarh come from different times. Especially the ‘Ardhanarishwar’ and ‘Bharavahaka’ structures are so special in the history of Indian art.
Also, there are different statues of Shiva found with different poses and a beautifully decorated gate from the Shiva temple in Dhamtari, which adds to the museum’s rare collection, which was explained by Shri Vivek Acharya, Director of Culture and Archaeology, Government of Chhattisgarh.
The Excavated Artefacts Gallery found in the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur shows how the archaeologists carefully uncover the buried sites and piece together the story of the ancient cultural history of India. This has been done by uncovering the objects that were used in daily life from different time periods, which helps us to understand how people lived in the past.
Historical Artefacts Found In The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Chhattisgarh:
The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur also has a bunch of coins which were found from way back in ancient times to more recent times. These coins found in ancient times show the different Indian dynasties that ruled in our country. They’ve also got medals and plaques from the British that were given out on different special occasions.
The other section of the museum, the Natural History Gallery, is small but it is very popular. People love it because it’s filled with interesting things and teaches them about lots of different topics in nature, especially about the habitats of wildlife.
The Tribal Gallery in the museum is super cool because it shows how different tribes live. Where you can see their clothes, jewellery, and stuff they use every day in separate displays. And the Weapons Gallery has a bunch of different weapons from all over the area on show.
Suggested Read: 12 Must-See Historical Places To Visit In India 2024
Library In The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur:
The library at the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Chhattisgarh has lots of books where you can come across different topics like art, science, religion, literature, history, archaeology, and philosophy. They also have Hindi and English magazines and newspapers that you can read.
How To Reach The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur
Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Timings
Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Entry fees
Restaurants Near Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur
- Gadh Kalewa
- Pabrai’s Fresh & Naturelle Ice cream
- Amritsari restaurant
- Naivedya Sweets and Namkeen
- NoorJahan
- Bajrang Bhog Bhandar
- Veggiies
- Robin’s Hotel Punjab Palace Raipur
- Jahangir Raipur
- Cravings by Sayaji Raipur
Suggested Read: Purkhauti Muktangan
List Of Cultural Museums In Chhattisgarh
- Purkhouti Muktangan
- Zonal Anthropological Museum
- Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum
- The Archaeological Museum
- Mahakoshal Art Gallery
- Nehru Art Gallery
- Kamalakant Patel
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of Mahant Ghasidas Museum?
Mahant Ghasidas Museum was established in 1875 by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon to preserve archaeological treasures, making it a historical landmark in Chhattisgarh.
How many museums are there in Chhattisgarh?
Chhattisgarh boasts several museums, with notable ones including Mahant Ghasidas Museum, Purkhouti Muktangan, and Zonal Anthropological Museum.
Why Guru Ghasidas is famous?
Guru Ghasidas is renowned for his socio-religious contributions, advocating for social equality, and founding the Satnami community.
What was the name of Saint Ghasidas father?
The father of Saint Ghasidas was Saint Nandadas, who played a significant role in his upbringing and spiritual guidance.
Which caste did Guru Ghasidas belong to?
Guru Ghasidas belonged to the Satnami community, which was considered a lower caste during his time but advocated for social equality and justice.