AN INTRODUCTION
Though the Goa State Museum is dwarfed in size by the neighboring Goa State Central Library (now known as Kishan Das Shamal State Library), it is an excellent place to explore the state's rich heritage and witness some of the glimpses from its glorious past. For what it lacks in size, it more than makes up with some of the artifacts showcased here being priceless gems for people like me who are eternally in love with the beach state and its history. Situated in Patto - the industrial hub of Panjim, sadly, it is not amongst the top tourists attractions in the capital city and hosts relatively few visitors in spite of the fact that in comparison to other government museums in cities across the country, it is well maintained.
As per the brochure, the Goa State Museum was established in 1977 and was initially set up in St. Inez locality of Panjim before being shifted to its present location in June 1996. It is managed by the Directorate of Museum - Government of Goa. The entry to the museum is free, photography is allowed and there is also a guide available for those who are interested in the details. A book titled - 'The Remarkable Sculptures of the Goa State Museum' which available at the counter for Rs. 300/- gives a much detailed overview of the approximately 50 odd sculptures displayed here and is worth the money.
Name
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The Goa State Museum
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Location
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EDC Complex, Patto - Panjim
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Timings
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Monday to Saturday - 9:30 am to 5:30 am
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Entry Fee
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Free
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Camera
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Allowed (Not Additional Camera Fee)
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Approximate Time
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1 - 3.5 hours
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The one storied building has as many as thirteen different galleries of which the first and in my opinion, the most impressive is the Sculpture Gallery. Amongst the exhibits displayed here include Hero memorials, Sati Stones, Gajalaxmi panels as well as a few inscriptions discovered in the state. An equally beautiful second gallery showcases beautiful wooden carvings of various Christian saints, portraits of a few Portuguese Governor Generals and a flag commemorating the Portuguese naval victory over the Dutch. The theme for the third section is the 'History of Printing Press in Goa' which is also the first of its kind in the whole of Asia whereas the next gallery manifests the collection donated by S K Bannerji, the ex Lt. Governor of Goa and is named after him. The fifth section depicts the religious expressions of Goa; objects relating to daily life are exhibited in the sixth whereas paintings and sculptures of several Indian artists are shown in the next gallery. The eight section is the Numismatics gallery whereas the ninth is a photo walk through Goa's independence struggle. The tenth gallery houses objects from the Menezes Braganza Institute; the Furniture section showcases amongst others the chair of the Governor General and the 'Table of the Inquisition'. The last two sections developed with the help of the WWF showcase the natural heritage of Goa.
In the next few posts, I will be posting about the beautiful artifacts in the Goa State Museum that left me spellbound.
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