Government Museum Chennai
| Place | Chennai |
|---|---|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1851 |
| Museum Type | Archaeological / Heritage / Multi-disciplinary Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008 |
| Visiting Time | 10:30 AM – 06:30 PM (Saturday–Thursday) Closed on Fridays and specific national holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹15 (Indian Adults) ₹10 (Indian Children) ₹250 (Foreign Nationals) |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1851, the Government Museum Chennai, also known as the Egmore Museum, is the second oldest museum in India. It is housed in a sprawling complex of six buildings and 46 galleries on Pantheon Road. The museum is a premier institution for South Indian history, art, and anthropology, featuring significant Indo-Saracenic architecture.
General Collections
The museum possesses extensive collections in archaeology, numismatics, zoology, natural history, sculptures, and palm-leaf manuscripts. It is particularly noted for its comprehensive anthropological section and the world-renowned Bronze Gallery, which preserves artifacts from the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara periods.
Unique Historical Collections
Amaravati Sculptures: The largest and most significant collection of 2nd-century BCE marble carvings from the Amaravati Stupa, documenting the life of Buddha. Chola Bronzes: An unparalleled collection of medieval South Indian bronze icons, including the iconic Nataraja (Shiva as the Lord of Dance) and the Ardhanarishvara. Roman Antiquities: A rare collection of Roman coins and artifacts discovered in Southern India, evidencing ancient Indo-Roman trade.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The complex includes the Museum Theatre, a rare example of Italianate style architecture in India, and the Connemara Public Library, one of the four National Depository Libraries in the country. It is situated on the site of the former Pantheon (assembly rooms) of the British elite. |
| Artifacts | Nataraja of Tiruvelangadu; Ardhanarishvara bronze; Amaravati Railing fragments; Adichanallur megalithic urns; Dowleishwaram hoard of gold coins; Cannon of Tipu Sultan; Skeleton of a Whale (Zoology section). |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 44 2819 3238 |
| Email ID | govtmuseumchennai@gmail.com |