Take a tour to the Museums of Rajasthan

Museums can be a great way of peeking into the history of a place and culture as each artifact has some interesting tale. The museums in Rajasthan can get you a clear understanding of the rich and diverse culture, traditions, arts, history, crafts and other notable features of the state.

Let’s take  a trip to the famous museums of Rajasthan that form an intrinsic part of the tourist attractions of Rajasthan.

 Albert Hall, Jaipur–

located in the gardens of Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur and is believed to be the oldest in the state. Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob designed the museum in 1876 to welcome King Edward VII on his visit to India. The museum was opened to public ten years later. The rare articles on display are metal and wood crafts, pottery, arms and weapons, textiles, carpets, paintings of flora and fauna of the state, toys, and dolls.

Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Museum, City Palace, Jaipur

Located within the City Palace complex, the museum is the brainchild of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and houses ancestral collections of successive rulers of Amer and Jaipur. Initially, only selective visitors and dignitaries could visit this museum with prior permission. In 1959 this private museum was opened to the public.

MehranGarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur

The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur houses rare and interesting artifacts, textiles, paintings and transport items. The beautiful Palanquin and Howdah Galleries have some of the most captivating historic items that are both old and expensive, on display.

Government Museum, Ajmer

Akbar built this imposing palace in 1570 – partly as a pleasure retreat, but mainly to keep a watchful eye on local rulers. It was here, on 10 January, 1616, that Sir Thomas Roe, ambassador of King James 1 of England, was given the first official audience by the Emperor Jehangir. Akbar’s Palace houses the government museum, which has a small collection of stone sculptures, weapons and miniature paintings.

 Government Museum, Jodhpur

Located in Umaid Public gardens of Jodhpur, the museum has a huge collection of artifacts that reveal the rich history of the region. It was during the reign of Maharaja Umed Signhji, the beautiful museum was built. The museum also boasts a great architecture and the credit goes to Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester.

The various exhibits of the museum include textiles, miniature portraits, weapons, local crafts and images of Jain Tirthankars. The collection also consists of stuffed animals. Stuffed animals like birds are kept in glass cases. A separate military section, which displays wooden biplane models and an excellent brass battleship, is also well appreciated.

Prachina Museum, Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

With a vision to preserve rich cultural diversity and to showcase monolithic identity of Bikaner, this Cultural Center and Museum was established by Siddhi Kumari daughter of Late Maharaja Narendra Singhji of Bikaner in 2000, at the beginning of the new millennium. Located in the great Junagarh Fort, it reflects the vivid glimpses of legacy that survived in the contemporary past.

Rajasthan Diwas Celebration with Gaiety!

The Pink City witnessed a cultural extravaganza by way of several folk musical and dance performances throughout the city. The occasion was the celebration of the Rajasthan Foundation Day.

The Department of Tourism has organized cultural events at various important tourist locations of the City for the common people.

At the Amer Mahal were ‘Khartal Vadan’ (Bundu Khan, Barmer) and Ravan Hatta (Hanuman Bhopa, Amer). Similarly, atJal Mahal Ki Pal were puppet show (Raju Bhat, Jaipur) and ‘Chakri Dance’ (Bhagwan Singh, Baran). The tourist atAlbert Hall were able to witness tribal dance (Narain Damor, Banswara) and folk songs (Shahjad, Nagaur). At the central hub of the city, Statue Circle there were ‘Gair Dance’ (Prem Kumar Saini, Barmer) and ‘Chakri Dance’ (Udai Singh, Baran). Those who went to Hawa Mahal were able to see the mellifluous strains of the Shehnai (Murari Lal Rana). These performances were from 10 am to 5 pm – and as many as 71 artistes participated.

The evening saw a mega cultural evening in which a large number of foreign and domestic tourists as well as Jaipurites witnessed Kuchipudi Dance by Ms. Pernia Qureshi as well as a fusion between the Kathak dancers and the well known Langa Mangniyar artistes.

The preceding week also saw some well known plays like ‘Dudha’ (directed by Sabir Khan)  and ‘Dafa 292’ (directed by Anoop Trevedi) at Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK). The food and craft festival, also as a part of the Rajasthan Day Celebrations, is continuing at the Shilp Gram in JKK, since 24 March and will end on 31 March.

At the district level too, competitions of events like rural sports and painting were organized. The cultural evenings were organized as part of the Rajasthan Day Celebrations.