In Kurukshetra, heritage to get new wing — literally

Srikrishna Museum, dedicated to lord Krishna, Kurukshetra, and Mahabharata themes in the holy city, has been among the centre of attractions for tourists for years.

Being managed by the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), the Srikrishna Museum was established in 1987, and it was shifted to the present building in 1991. A new block was added in 1995, and third and last block was added in 2012.

At present, the museum houses nine galleries spread over three buildings, which display the artefacts representing Lord Krishna in his different avatars, archaeological artefacts, paintings, sculptures recovered during excavation and multimedia gallery.

However, lack of new attractions had been a concern for the KDB as despite the fact that thousands of tourists reach Kurukshetra, the museum was drawing a footfall of just over 1,000 people a day.

Aimed at increasing the footfall, providing new experience and attraction for the tourists as well as providing authentic information about the 48-kos land, India of Mahabharata Times, and sharing information about the devotees of lord Krishna who propagated the teachings of Lord Krishna, the board is set to get a fourth block for the museum.

Balwan Singh, curator-cum-artist of the museum, said, “We have rare archeological artefacts and a rich collection, and the museum has the potential of attracting tourists across the world as it is the only museum exclusively dedicated to Lord Krishna. There is a plan to construct the fourth block of the museum. The fourth block will also house three galleries and the same architecture, like the existing blocks, is being followed for the fourth block so that the new block becomes the extended part of the existing building.”

As per the proposal, the first gallery will display the places and sites associated with the Mahabharata times, and their importance along with their archaeological, cultural, and religious importance. The second will be dedicated to 48-kos Kurukshetra, to preserve the cultural, religious and historical importance of 48-Kos Kurukshetra region, and the third gallery will be dedicated to Krishna Bhakti movement.

“Replicas of prominent temples in India based on Krishna-Vishnu theme will also be on display. Besides these, to offer a fresh experience to tourists, a theme-based outdoor entertainment zone in which the new attractions are centred on the epic Mahabharata, is being developed,” the museum in-charge said.

Upender Singhal, honorary secretary the Kurukshetra Development Board, said, “The board has been making efforts to increase the footfall at the museum. In the fourth block, the new technology will be used to attract the new generation as the technology has changed over the years. Efforts are being made to add new components on a regular basis.”

The extension block of the museum is part of a master plan prepared for the museum. The KDB aims at providing authentic information about Kurukshetra and 48-kos land hence, one of the galleries will be dedicated to 48-kos land and the visitors will be able to get information about the tirthas falling under the 48-kos, artefacts and sculptures recovered from here during excavation. The objective is to tell people about the importance of culture and religious sites situated under the 48-kos, the honorary secretary said.

He further said “The drawing of the fourth block is in its final stage. The drawing is being prepared by the Chief Architect office, Haryana, and once the design is ready, a consultant will be hired for the further process. A detailed project report will be tabled before the Haryana Government, and it will be sent to the Union Ministry of Culture for financial assistance. The Srikrishna museum will offer a new experience to the tourists reaching Kurukshetra from across the world.”

Haryana Tribune