Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum: A Tribal Journey From Past To Present!

When we think about museums, we imagine places where history feels alive with fascinating stories through its collections. The Mahant Ghasi Memorial Museum Raipur is also one such historic museum which was founded in 1875, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 

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

Great monuments always have a great history, as such the History of Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur lies back in 1875. Where people in 1875  wanted to protect the old things that were very unique and special to them. So, King Mahant Ghasidas had thought of making a museum where he could store and preserve all the special architecture that was made in those days.

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

The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur was made in a unique octagonal shape, which was popular with the inspiration of British architecture. The roof of the museum resembles a British crown. 

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:

The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur has a collection of statues made of stone, metal, and copper, along with historic records, coins, and items from modern times. The Sculpture Gallery displays sculptures from different places in Chhattisgarh.

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 Chhattisgarh also has a lot of terracotta-related arts and structures to which you can check out where you can see the different kinds of clay lamps, as well as toys and pots that were found during excavations in Sidhpur.

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

The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Chhattisgarh is located close to D. K. Hospital in Raipur. If you are new to the city and coming from another city to visit Raipur and the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur for the first time then you can take CSRTC buses, private buses, or you can drive in your own vehicle. Whereas, you can also find the nearest airport which is Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.

Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Timings

The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Timings is from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is open on all days except on Tuesdays and on National Holidays, make sure to check the schedule before reaching the museum.

Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Entry fees

The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Entry fees range from adults to children, where for Adults the entry fees in Rs. 10/- whereas for Children the entry fees in Rs. 5/-

Restaurants Near Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur

If you’re feeling hungry after visiting the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur, there are plenty of nearby Restaurants Near Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Raipur to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, traditional Indian dishes, sweets, or something else, you’ll find options to satisfy your cravings.

• 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

There are many Cultural museums In Chhattisgarh that you can visit, here is the top 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

Hence, visiting The Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur, Chhattisgarh tells you the story of the region’s history and culture. It has interesting things to see, from ancient artefacts to modern art. It’s a bit like travelling back in time! And when you’re finished looking around, you can enjoy a meal at one of the nearby restaurants. It’s a fun and educational experience for everyone.

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