Gandhi Jayanti: Renovated Bapu Museum in Vijayawada, with over 1,500 antiquities, opens after a decade

The Victoria Memorial building reflects the Indo-European architecture style, the foundation stone for which was laid by then Krishna district collector Robert Sewell on June 27, 1887
Bapu Museum | (Pic: Internet)
Bapu Museum | (Pic: Internet)

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Thursday, inaugurated the Bapu Museum in Vijayawada. The museum, which was closed for renovations, was thrown open for the visitors after a decade. Commenting on the renovation works and preservation of the ancient valuables, the chief minister wrote 'Impressive collection of artifacts' in the visitors' feedback book.

Speaking to TNIE, Commissioner of Archeology G Vani Mohan said, "We faced several ups and downs in the renovation works, especially the financial hick-ups. But today we received the fruits of our efforts. We are happy to announce the reopening of this museum after ten years. Here we have artifacts from as ancient times as 10 lakh years to 1000 BC. These include sculptures from Buddhism and Jainism period, Hindu sculptures, Mesolithic, paleolithic and cave-man times. We also have textile, numismatic, cutlery, painting and ammunition sections. This museum is also the first museum to have adopted the technology of augmented and virtual reality."

The Victoria Memorial building reflects the Indo-European architecture style, the foundation stone for which was laid by then Krishna district collector Robert Sewell on June 27, 1887. At present, the museum has 1,500 antiquities on display. The museum has nine galleries — pre and early historic, Jaina and Buddhist, Hindu sculptures, epigraphy, numismatic, textile, painting, medieval century and arms and weapons. The museum also has advanced digital interactive display technologies such as immersive projection theatre, augmented reality, virtual reality, interactive digital display panel, interactive display cabinets, digital book and interactive kiosks. Temple structures are assimilated and presented in a way that the visitors will understand and be able to learn about the ancient past in an interesting manner. While augmented reality will help visitors scan the QR codes and watch the informative videos of that particular object on display, virtual reality will allow users to experience the environment of Aaraku Valley and other near-by places. the immersive projection mapping theatre is the place where visitors can sit in the centre of the room and experience the visual treat in 360 degrees. This is a part of the 16 feet tall digital wall displays everything that is displayed in the museum. 

"If someone wants to know about a certain form of fabric, he or she can simply touch on that fabric's image on the screen. From the period when it was used to the types of varieties of that fabric, everything will be displayed," said Mohan. At the exit, there is a question and answer kiosk to see how much a person has learnt from the museum. The museum will be open on all days from 9 am to 8 pm. The entry fee for adults and children is Rs 50 and Rs 30 per head respectively.

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