Read this travelogue written by traveller Anurodh Das and learn about his amazing travel experience at the Odisha State Museum.
On the 28th of May 2024, I had the grand pleasure of visiting the Odisha State Museum with my father. Both my father and I have been great enthusiasts of history, and that has driven the passion for us to visit historic places and museums. This visit was a chance to learn more about the rich and varied history of Odisha, and the visit did live up to the reputation. Just before we passed through the entrance gate, we were greeted by a miniaturized version of the Puri Jagannath Temple. Over the top of the entrance gate, a wide screen played interesting videos and animations of the history of Odisha, including the famous Paika Rebellion. It was a good way to build our interest in the enriching experience ahead.
After our tickets were purchased, we crossed the gate to be greeted immediately by a thunderous view of a wide replica of the gate of the Ratnagiri Mahavihara in the garden to our left. The detailing was evident straight away. We entered into the museum and found ourselves in an entrance hall full of history in depictions. Towards our left, the depictions of the Paika Rebellion and the great Kalinga War caught our attention, while towards the right, we could see depictions of the maritime trade history of Odisha and the founding stone of the museum by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Crossing the hall, we entered the corridor and turned right for the archaeological section. The moment we entered, I had my eyes fixed straightaway on a fragment of an Ashokan pillar from Pataliputra, from the 3rd century BCE. Next to it was a splendid lion sculpture from Bhubaneswar as well, also from the 3rd century BCE. The whole section was strewn with differing archaeological statues and relics. Towards the end of the section, we were amazed to observe a tremendous collection of coins from various empires, including those of the Kushanas, Guptas, Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythians, and Satavahanas.
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Our next destination was the epigraphy section, which was situated next to the archaeological section. As we entered, my attention was caught by two large screens showing the translations of old Odia and Brahmi writings. The room was filled with inscription stones and palm-leaf manuscripts, which were engraved with ancient writings. This section was a curious glimpse into the linguistic heritage of Odisha.
We continued ahead, enjoying our time in all sections of the museum. Our tour of history took us four hours, but each and every hour spent was invaluable. The Odisha State Museum is a complete and stunning depiction of the vibrant historical fabric of the state, and there is no way any history buff can afford to give it a miss. From old artifacts to complete historical stories, the Odisha State Museum displays and conserves the state’s heritage with stunning clarity and passion. If you love history and culture, then this museum is your next destination. Visit the Odisha State Museum and prepare to take your time-traveling journey, as you will find the stories and artifacts that have created the land of Odisha.
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