INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY
Every year 18th May is celebrated as International Museum Day. Each year a theme is chosen, and this year the theme is ‘Cultural Hubs: The Future of Traditions’. And we all know, Rajasthan and culture go hand-in-hand. The museums in Jaipur bring history to life and contributes significantly to a tourists’ experience of visiting the city.
Jaipur, the chromatic city it is, has numerous museums expressing heritage, culture and eminent lifestyle of maharajas. Amongst them are Albert Hall Museum, City Palace’s MSMSII, Doll Museum, etc. Apart from these world-famous ones, a few new museums have come up in the Pink City that carry the heritage of different art forms in their shelves, which many of you might not be aware of, but fret not cause we’ve got your back. Read till the end if you don’t want to miss on any of these.
Albert Hall Museum
The oldest museum of Rajasthan dating back to 1887. The building is situated in Ram Niwas Garden outside the city wall opposite the new gate. Designed by Samuel Jacob, assisted by Mir Tujumool Hoosein and named after King Edward VII, the museum has a rich collection of artefacts including paintings, jewellery, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, and works of crystal. The collection includes coins from the Gupta, Kushan, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal and British period.
The museum is open Wednesday-Monday (Tuesdays closed) from 09:00 a.m. – 05:30 p.m. and then reopens 07:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Today, on the occasion of World Museum Day, tourists will get free entry to the Albert Hall Museum. There will also be a traditional welcome for them. In the evening from 7.30 to 9.00 pm, a cultural evening will also be held. The entry to the programme and the museum will be free of cost in the evening as well.
The City Palace Museum
City Palace, the gem in the crown of Jaipur was established at the same time as Jaipur by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. City Palace comprises of several courtyards and galleries. The galleries of the museum are a quintuple with Sabha Niwas, the main hall of the audience which is a chromatic and opulent mix of serene paintings, military medals and polo trophies, murals and chandeliers.
Next in the line is the Textile Gallery on the ground floor of the Mubarak Mahal, displaying various kinds of textiles and fabrics and a rare pashmina carpet from 1650. Sileh Khana is the armour gallery showcasing multiple arms used by the Kachhwaha Rajputs of Jaipur and Amber. Painting and Photography Gallery exhibits art from the eighteenth- and nineteenth century. Lastly, the Transport Gallery features pre-motorized transports from the era of maharajas.
City Palace Museum is open throughout the week from 09:30 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.
Doll Museum
Museums have always been a boredom time for most of the people but this one will be on your lists of favourite be you’re a kid or an adult. Doll Museum is a significant tourist destination, with dolls from various parts of India expressing the culture of its diverse states in different attires and accessories.
One can also find dolls from other parts of the world like Germany, Mexico, America, Sweden, Afghanistan, Britain and many more. The museum is located 4 km outside the walled city, opposite the new gate and can be easily reached via buses, e-rickshaws or cab services.
The museum is open Wednesday-Monday (Tuesdays closed) from 09:00 a.m. – 04:00 p.m.
Jaipur Wax Museum
Jaipur Wax Museum is located at Nahargarh Fort, which is built at the highest point of the Aravalli Hills. The wax museum entails some of the exquisite life-like wax statues of celebrities and members of the royal family designed by highly skilled local artisans.
Apart from the wax statues a section of the fort has been exclusively renovated into Sheesh Mahal, which comprises of 2.5 million of glass pieces of diverse colours and floral motif made out of 23-carat real gold, blends of gems and jewellery along with a vibrant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Do visit if you want to experience yesteryear of Rajasthan’s glorious heritage.
Wax Museum is open throughout the week from 10:00 a.m. – 06:30 p.m.
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing
Anokhi Museum of hand printing, dedicated to the art of block printing, is situated at the restored Chanwar Palkiwon Ki Haveli in the shadow of Amber Fort, down the street of Amber. The museum has won a UNESCO award for ‘Cultural Heritage Conservation’ in 2000. Anokhi Museum orates the sensitive state of the block printing industry facing a serious struggle in today’s modern era of consumerism, through the edification of a variety of programmes for backpackers of every age. Anokhi is continuously working towards the education and awareness of hand block printing for its visitors where the visitors are given a block-printing demonstration to sensitize the people towards this receding art.
If you are an eager art-lover and yearn to learn about the craft of it, then a visit is quintessential. Anokhi is open on Tuesday-Saturday (Mondays closed) 10:30 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. and on Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 04:30 p.m.
Rajasthan Rural Arts Program (RRAP) Music Museum & Hub
We all love melodious, vibrant and energetic Rajasthani music. The RRAP Music Museum and Hub is all about that unique, quirky and eccentric vibe. The museum is dedicated to promoting, disseminating, conserving, and repositioning the folk music traditions of Rajasthan.
The museum through its exhibitions, outreach programs, residencies, workshops, and diverse events, provides visitors with a gateway to the many different folk music cultures of Rajasthan. Jaipur’s only folk music museum is a new edition and a must visit for all the music enthusiasts, where you can witness the words and sounds passed through generations of our rural communities, meet the musicians still playing today, and see their remarkable handmade instruments expertly crafted from traditional knowledge.
Location-Krishna Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur.
The museum is open on Wednesday-Monday from 11:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.
Extended hours on Saturday till 08:00 p.m.
Celebrate International Museum Day at RRAP Music Museum and Hub, Jaipur, with free admission and free guided tours. Come learn of the past, present and future of our living musical Rajasthani traditions.
Museum of Gem & Jewellery
Jaipur is known for its fine gem cutting and polishing inclusive of carvings, bead-making and manufacturing of objects d’art. Museum of Gem & Jewellery Jaipur was established in 2015, with the objective to promote trade of gem and jewellery, preserving the valuable objects of historical and national importance and a medium to educate the society about gems and jewellery.
The museum aims to mark a positive image and earn global goodwill and pride for Rajasthan.
It is located at the Rajasthan Chamber Bhawan, MI Road and is open throughout the week from 10:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.
Amrapali Museum Jaipur
Amrapali is a globally renowned, coveted luxury jewellery brand. The heritage jewellery house launched its very own museum in Jaipur, showcasing the breathtaking collection which is unique by its nature and by the manner it was collected. Amrapali Museum Jaipur aims to display traditional silver jewelled arts of India reflecting the ‘everyday’ life of the people of India and holds about 4000 astounding artefacts collected from all over the country.
Their collection is larger than life and will make you run out of words. The eye-candy of museums is located at the Ashok Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur, and is open for the visitors on all days of the week from 11:00 a.m. – 06:30 p.m.
Gyan Museum, Jaipur
Established in 2015, Gyan museum is a signature design by Paul Mathieu, showcasing the assemblage of the naturalist, collector and gemologist Late Mr Gyan Chand who was a patron collector of the cultural genre.
Gyan Museum depicts a cultural heritage of about 3000 years and has in possession over 2500 work of executive art both of Indian and Foreign origin. It holds articles like textiles, metal art, gorgeous antique jewellery and vintage paintings from the 17th century – rarest. So all the aesthetes get out of your house and visit this place, this museum day. Gyan Museum is open on Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.
Sanjay Museum, Jaipur
A father loves his child, the story of Sanjay Museum is an example of a father’s love for his son. Dating back to1954 when the Founder Chairman Ram Kripalu Sharma was struggling to get his book published but couldn’t do so for the want of resources. This led to setting up of ‘Sharma granth Sangrahalaya’. The museum embodies collection, conservation, preservation of art and heritage. Along with that, the museum is home to hundreds of handwritten manuscripts and various antique artefacts.
Location- Opposite Jal Mahal, the museum is open for the art-lovers and tourists throughout the week from 09:00 a.m. – 05:30 p.m.
Museum of Legacies
Museum of Legacies has opened recently and is situated in the heart of the city (Kishanpole Bazaar). The museum is a four-story building, having five primary galleries. It exclusively exhibits the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan with a diverse collection including textiles, jewellery, stoneware and inlay work, painting and pottery. Apart from these galleries, there is a space dedicated to two larger than life puppets that represent the much-adorned traditional art of Rajasthani puppetry. It’s a must visit for all the art lovers. The museum is open on Tuesday-Sunday (Mondays closed) from 12:00 p.m. – 08:00 p.m.
So, which museum you are going to explore today in Jaipur on International Museum Day?
Jaipur Beat 