Chennai Government Museum

Chennai (previously known as Madras) is one of the largest and oldest metropolis of India. It is a city covered in stunning temples and museums, drool-worthy flavorful cuisines, the glorious Marina Beach, and its warm people make Chennai, simply gorgeous. Some of the important landmarks of the city include the never-ending Marina Beach, Chennai Government Museum, Santhome Cathedral, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Fort Museum, Birla Planetarium, and so on.

A brief introduction to the Chennai Government Museum

One of the most popular places in Chennai, the Government Museum, is a fascinating place. Established more than 100 years ago, this iconic structure houses some of the stunning artifacts dating back to thousands of years.

Built around 1851, the complex is the second oldest museum in India. The Indo-Saracenic form of architecture, exhibits on the display include some stunning bronze statues, ancient relics, life-size dinosaur carcass, a huge collection of coins and a lot more. Also, art aficionados could visit the original artworks of Raja Ravi Varma.

The Chennai Government Museum is a treasure trove of information and a suitable venue to learn about India’s past. Spread in the area of closely 16 acres, the institution has six buildings and forty-six galleries. Apart from that, the museum has an elaborate theatre that regularly hosts important events.

Some of the important sections of the museum include Anthropology, Numismatics, Art, Anthropology, Botany, and Zoology. A Children’s Museum is specially meant to cater to the interest of kids and pre-teens.

Important exhibits of the Chennai Government Museum

Numismatics collections

The museum has one of the largest collections of coins, medals, and stamps. Most of the collections were either donated by private collectors, existing museums of India or found during excavation. Some of the important exhibits of the numismatic gallery are:

1. Puranas or Punch-Marked Coins (circa 600 BC - circa 300 AD)
One of the earliest coins found in India, these were a punched-marked currency that was in circulation till the beginning of the Christian era. Interestingly, these coins do not have any date or a name printed on their bodies. However, religious references and animal figurines like an elephant, bull, and or jackal are punched on these coins.

2. Pandya Coins (circa 500 BC - circa 200 AD)
Pandyas were one of the supreme powers of the South Indian territories. These coins were square-shaped and die-struck. These coins contain fish emblem, probably the royal sigil of the Palava rulers. The inscriptions on the coins are written in Sanskrit

Other important exhibits include: Kushan Coins (circa 78 AD - 200 AD), coins belonging to the Gupta Period, and gold coin belonging to the (circa 375 AD - 413 AD)

Archeology exhibits

The Archaeological Section of the Museum deals with the preservation, accusation, and display of artifacts belonging to the different historical periods of India. The exhibits include stunning bronze figurines, industrial art objects, inscriptions, sculptures.

The bronze figurines of the Chennai Government Museum are its most popular exhibits. Some of the important figurines on display include:

1. Veenadhara Dakshinamurti (excavated from Thanjavur district – 10th century)

2. Nataraja or the Dancing Shiva (excavated from Kanchipuram – 9th century)

3. Paravati (excavated from Thanjavur district)

4. Sukhasana (excavated from Thanjavur District – 10th century)

Anthropology exhibit

The anthropology gallery contains some interesting collections of Neolithic tools, bead ornaments, agricultural tools, weapons, utensils and other objects used during the stone, copper and iron age. Apart from that, megaliths and burial urns used during that era attract a huge crowd.

Overall trip to the Chennai Government Museum can be an insightful experience, where visitors could learn about the interesting heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

What’s next?

You will need almost half of the day to explore the stunning exhibits of the Government Museum. For the rest of the day and night, here are some places to explore the beauty of Chennai:

• Exploring the century-old temples of Mylapore

• Strolling through the golden Marina Beach

• Enjoying the multi-cultural heritage of Chennai at Triplicane Lane

• Coming face to face with the philosophy at Vivekananda Illam or Vivekananda House

• Shopping at T.Nagar

• Sampling the aromatic cuisines of Tamil Nadu

• Learning about the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and nearby states at Kalashetra

Chennai is a beautiful city, embracing the modern but still attached to its roots. The old-school Indian metropolis, located on the shores of Bay of Bengal, is a place that embraces everyone with open arms. The city has a rich history and cultural heritage, fondly preserved at the Chennai Government Museum.

Some important keynotes

• Address: Government Maternity Hospital, Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008 (Parking facility available)

• Phone no: 044 2819 3778

• Opening time: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm (Friday and National Holidays Closed)

• Entrance fee: INR 250 per person (Foreign Tourists)