The
museums of Karnataka are repositories of the state's glorious history.
Remnants of the bygone eras have been carefully preserved in the
Karnataka museums. Besides sculpture and artifacts belonging to the
ancient ages, the museums in Karnataka exhibit traditional paintings. Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery
Reputed to be one of the oldest museums in India, the Karnataka Government Museum was established in 1866. This impressive Neo-Classical structure houses a vast array of sculpture and artifacts belonging to different periods of Karnataka history. The painting section of the museum, known as the Venkatappa Art Gallery, boasts of a substantial collection of traditional Mysore paintings. Open daily, except on Mondays. Timings: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
The Jaganmohan Palace, built in 1902 to mark the coronation ceremony of Krishnaraja III, was converted into the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. The museum is endowed with a rich collection of ceramics, sandalwood, ivory, stone, antique furniture, and ancient musical instruments. An interesting exhibit of the museum is the genealogical table of the Mysore kings from 1399 till today, painted in a leaf form in the Mysore style of art.
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
The Visvesvaraya Technological Museum is named after Sir M. Visveshwaraya, one of the greatest Indian engineers. The museum is a tribute to his relentless efforts to bring science and technology to the common man. The museum contains different sections in accordance to popular science disciplines. The Electrotechnic Gallery has various electrotechnic experiments and the history of the development of telephone technology.
Rail Museum
Established in 1979, the Rail Museum houses an extensive collection of locomotives, and coaches that hark back to the fledgling days of Indian railway. The Chamundi Gallery exhibits a unique collection of photographs and paintings illustrating the growth and evolution of the railways. The piece de resistance among the exhibits is the 1899-built Maharani's saloon carriage that boasts of a kitchen, dining car unit and a royal toilet.
