Orissa is one of the busiest states in terms of tourism. It attracts many tourists from India and abroad owing to its rich architecture in temples and stupas, beautiful beaches, and gripping landscape of dense green forests, valleys, and rivers. With a history of several ages, kingdoms, and dynasties, the state boasts some of the earliest Indian civilisations. Visit the Museums in Orissa to see the remains, relics, and remembrances of the past.
While travelling to the beautiful state of Orissa, visits to the museums will help you get a peek into the specialities of the state’s bygone eras. The Orissa State Museum originated in the hands of Prof. N.C Banerjee and Prof. Ghanshyam Dash of Ravenshaw College. As early as 1932, both started collecting and amassing rare and exclusive items about the state’s past. Initially housed on the college premises, it was later transformed into the Provincial Museum of Orissa in 1938. Areas of archaeology, epigraphy, armoury, numismatics, painting, mining and geology, anthropology and manuscripts are covered in the Orissa State Museum.
The Konark Archaeological Museum is another museum in Orissa. Built-in 1968, it houses pieces and parts of sculpture from the Sun Temple. The fragments and sections showcased here reflect the socio-religious and economic scenario of the 13th century.
These museums provide educational insights and serve as windows to Odisha’s cultural identity, attracting scholars, historians, and tourists from around the globe.
List of the famous museums in Odisha
1. Netaji Birth Place Museum, Cuttack
The museum is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ancestral home, which exhibits personal belongings, photographs, and the leader’s letters. It is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and admirers of the freedom movement.
- Location: Odia Bazar, Cuttack
- Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
2. ASI Museum, Konark
This museum, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, houses exquisite carvings, sculptures, and architectural fragments from the iconic Sun Temple, offering visitors a deeper understanding of its grandeur.
- Location: Near Sun Temple, Konark
- Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed on Fridays)
3. Tribal Museum, Bhubaneswar
This is known as the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artifacts, which highlights the culture and traditions of Odisha’s indigenous communities through artefacts, photographs, and dioramas.
- Location: CRPF Square, Bhubaneswar
- Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed on Sundays)
4. Kala Bhoomi Odisha Crafts Museum, Bhubaneswar
The museum, Kala Bhoomi, is spread over a sprawling campus. It features galleries dedicated to pottery, handloom, metal crafts, and more. The museum also hosts live craft demonstrations.
- Location: Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar
- Timings: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
5. Sudarshan Crafts Museum, Puri
Founded by renowned sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo, this museum showcases an impressive collection of traditional and modern sculptures, with an attached workshop where visitors can see artisans at work.
Location: Station Road, Puri
Timings: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
6. Odisha Modern Art Gallery, Bhubaneswar
This gallery is dedicated to showcasing modern art by Odisha’s talented artists. It frequently hosts exhibitions, fostering the growth of contemporary art in the state.
- Location: Forest Park, Bhubaneswar
- Timings: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
7. Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar
This museum houses an extensive collection of historical and cultural artefacts, including palm-leaf manuscripts, ancient coins, and weaponry, showcasing Odisha’s rich history.
- Location: Near Kalpana Square, Bhubaneswar
- Timings: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (Closed on Mondays)