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Chhattisgarh is best known for its tribal landscape, and the museums in Chhattisgarh describe various unknown tales of it. They represent the heartbeat of this rich historical, cultural, and anthropological heritage of the state. If you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or just someone with an interest in India’s antiquity, you will not be disappointed while exploring the displays of these museums in the forested state. The museums take you on a journey into the heart and soul of the state.
5 Museums In Chhattisgarh
The museums in Chhattisgarh make you realise the richness of its cultural heritage. Let’s see where you can stop by to look for the best museums in the state.
1. Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
Established in 1875, the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum is one of the best historical museums in Chhattisgarh. The museum was built by Raja Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon, who constructed this place to encourage the preservation of the archaeological heritage of Chhattisgarh. Sprawling over 2 hectares of land, it exhibits a vast collection of old tools and items related to the stone age and later periods. The sculpture gallery is a collection of stone carvings and deity idols. The tribal gallery exhibits the tribal heritage of Chhattisgarh through the art, crafts, arms and costumes of tribals such as the Gonds, Baigas and others.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
Nearby Railway Station: Raipur Junction
Nearby Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport
2. Bilaspur District Archaeological Museum
Photo: Kryuchka Yaroslav / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
The District Archaeological Museum is an important cultural site as it stores the history of the region. Built in 1981, it is stocked with archaeological remains and artefacts found in the nearby areas of Bilaspur. Its archaeological findings include ancient pots, implements, fossils and remains that date back to different eras of history. The museum has sculptures of many gods and goddesses, most of them made in the Gupta and post-Gupta periods. The museum also offers a glimpse into traditional crafts, folk art and cultural artefacts representing the everyday lives of people from the past century.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Nearby Railway Station: Bilaspur Junction
Nearby Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport
3. Jagdalpur District Archaeological Museum
Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The District Archaeological Museum in Jagdalpur is a repository of Bastar’s tribal art and sculpture. This place shows the evolution of Bastar’s tribal culture and tradition. The museum houses various artefacts and sculptures that predominantly represent the early civilisation of Bastar. It hosts a huge collection of tribal art forms like Dhokra metal craft and terracotta works from Bastar, and ancient stone carvings depicting the life, mythology, and history of local people, making it one of the best museums in Chhattisgarh.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Nearby Railway Station: Jagdalpur Railway Station
Nearby Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport
4. Rajnandgaon District Archaeological Museum
Photo: Gary Todd / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The newly established District Archaeological Museum in Rajnandgaon is a fresher addition to the many museums of Chhattisgarh. Set up in 1995, this museum is a place of great archaeological significance. It displays historical artefacts like ancient weapons, pottery, and religious manuscripts. The museum also hosts one of the largest collections of ancient coins from the eastern Mediterranean, which enables visitors to explore the region’s economic past. Showcasing the culture of indigenous tribes and communities through display of traditional arts, crafts and clothing, it is becoming one of the popular museums in Chhattisgarh.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Nearby Railway Station: Rajnandgaon Railway Station
Nearby Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport
5. Pachrahi Museum
Photo: Gts-tg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A very new museum, the Pachrahi Museum in the Kabirdham district, established in 2002, preserves the tribal heritage of the region. Dedicated to the lives and traditions of the Baiga, Gond and other aboriginal peoples of Chhattisgarh, the museum hosts tribal artefacts like tribal costumes, ornaments, weapons and tools used by local communities. The visitors can explore musical instruments, household items and other objects that are still used by the tribal communities today. There are also exhibits on Tribal Festivals which give more insight into why these rituals are celebrated.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Nearby Railway Station: Bilaspur Junction
Nearby Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport
The museums in Chhattisgarh are windows to the state’s rich cultural, historical, and spiritual legacy. Stone-age tools, tribal artefacts, and religious icons have been collected in these museums to showcase the state’s unique history. Each museum is a repository of tales that trace Chhattisgarh’s past as well as its present as a land of plural traditions and communities. The next time you visit Chhattisgarh, make sure to book your trip with TripXL and explore these museums.
Cover Photo: ManeeshUpadhyay / Shutterstock
