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Bhubaneswar is a city of museums, which are a treasure-house of history, from prehistoric to medieval times. The Bhubaneswar museums provide a glimpse of Odisha’s cultural and historical heritage. They have many unique things on display, from tribal artefacts to modern crafts. The unique characteristic of the museums of Bhubaneswar is a journey through time, beginning from the dawn of civilisation to modern times. You must visit Bhubaneswar museums to explore the exhibits of the rich heritage of ancient India.
5 Bhubaneswar Museums To Explore
Each Bhubaneswar museum is a testimony to Odisha’s continuing ethos of conservation and its contribution to India’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
1. Odisha State Museum
Photo: User:Tinucherian / Wikimedia Commons
The Odisha State Museum is the most important museum in the state capital, Bhubaneswar. Founded in 1932 by two renowned historians, Prof N C Banerjee and Prof Ghanshyam Dash, it began humbly as a small collection. With more than 10 different galleries, the museum was officially inaugurated in 1974. The museum’s highlights are its various galleries. The Archaeology Gallery displays stone sculptures from the prehistoric period to the late medieval period. The Epigraphy Gallery has inscriptions in Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts from the ancient period to the Kalinga period.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Mondays and public holidays)
How To Reach: The museum is easily accessible by road from Bhubaneswar Railway Station (5 km) and Biju Patnaik International Airport (4 km).
2. Regional Museum Of Natural History
Photo: Hellohappy / Wikimedia Commons
In the busy city of Bhubaneswar, the Regional Museum of Natural History is one of the most famous educational museums. It is built to spread awareness of the flora and fauna of Odisha and Eastern India. It was inaugurated on 8th March 2004 to promote environmental consciousness and to educate the public on the need for conservation. The museum is administered by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. It has a great collection of plants and animals in Odisha, such as life-size models of animals, preserved specimens, and fossils.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Closed on Mondays)
How To Reach: The museum is located around 6 km from Bhubaneswar Railway Station and 5 km from Biju Patnaik International Airport.
3. Museum Of Tribal Arts And Artefacts
Photo: Balaji / Wikimedia Commons
There are more than 60 tribal communities residing in Odisha, each with its own distinct tradition and culture. In the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artifacts, popularly known as the Tribal Museum, you can explore the lives, customs and art of these indigenous groups. The museum holds a number of tribal artefacts such as traditional tribal clothing, jewellery, musical instruments, and weapons, along with some magnificent scale models of tribal homes, traditional tribal dresses, handicrafts, and textiles. Various tribes of Odisha are known for their exquisite handicrafts, such as wood carving, Dhokra, basketry, embroidery, stone carving, and silk and cotton textiles.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Sundays)
How To Reach: Just 4 km from Bhubaneswar Railway Station and 6 km from Biju Patnaik International Airport, the museum is easily accessible by public transport.
4. Kalinga State Art Gallery
Photo: Government of Odisha / Wikimedia Commons
The Kalinga State Art Gallery in Bhubaneswar has a gallery that exhibits ancient stone carvings and contemporary art in the form of paintings. Established in 1963, it has always been a space for local artists to display and showcase their work. It now features the history and the art scene of Odisha from the local as well as the international art scene. Its collections include housing paintings, sculptures and mixed-media artworks. The gallery routinely hosts exhibitions of established Odia artists and emerging talents alike.
Best Time To Visit: December to February
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM (Closed on Mondays)
How To Reach: In the heart of Bhubaneswar, the gallery is easily accessible from major points in the city.
5. Pathani Samanta Planetarium
Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi / Wikimedia Commons
It is not a typical museum. This planetarium is named after the famous astronomer Pathani Samanta, who dedicated his life to creating awareness about space science, celestial phenomena, and astronomical facts. Built in 1990 by the Govt of Odisha, the planetarium is dedicated to the state’s rich astronomy and scientific endeavour legacy. Every day, you can see sky shows and exhibitions on astronomy, space missions, and solar system features at the planetarium. The exhibit hall is continuously upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment to provide children and adults with easy and interesting learning.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Timings: 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
How To Reach: The planetarium is located close to the Bhubaneswar city center and can be reached easily by road.
Temples from the ancient Odia kingdoms, fragments of temple art, and other treasures of Odisha’s cultural and natural history await you at the Bhubaneswar museums. If you love history, art, culture, and heritage or are simply curious to learn and experience more of the world’s diversity, the museums of Bhubaneswar are a great place to start exploring. Book your Bhubaneswar museum tour with TripXL to avoid any hassle and learn the rich history of the place.
Cover Photo: Hemant_sahu_Raj / Wikimedia Commons
