Shristhal Sangrahalay, also known as Siddhpur Museum or Bindu Sarovar Museum, is a museum located near Bindu Sarovar in

Siddhpur Siddhpur, also spelled Sidhpur, is a town, municipality and headquarter of Sidhpur taluka in Patan district, in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is a historical place located on the bank of the endorheic Saraswati River, which is probably a rem ...

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the nin ...

, India. Opened in 2017, it has three galleries presenting religious and ritual significance as well as history and society of the region.

History

State tourism minister

Jaynarayan Vyas Jai Narayan Vyas (18 February 1899 – 14 March 1963) was an Indian politician and the third chief minister of the State of Rajasthan. He hailed from Jodhpur city and was a leader of Indian National Congress party. Early life He was born o ...

proposed a museum in Siddhpur in later half of 2010. It was estimated to cost in 2010. The museum was designed by the Shilanyas Design Consultants in 2012. It was inaugurated by the Gujarat State Chief Minister

Vijay Rupani Vijaybhai Ramniklalbhai Rupani (born 2 August 1956) is an Indian politician who served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 for two terms. He is a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, representing Rajkot West. He is a ...

on 10 June 2017.

Architectural theme

Bindu Sarovar is a religiously important pilgrimage site in north Gujarat where ''matru shraddh'' (post funereal rites of the mother) are held by Hindus. As the museum is located in the precinct of the Bindu Sarovar, the museum is constructed following its axis to present the continuity. A new diagonal path is added to it where the galleries are located. To include themes of religious and ritual significance as well as history and society of the region, three galleries are established titled ''Tirtha'', ''Itihas'' and ''Samaj''. To present the ritual importance of the water as well as a sacred element, the water bodies are constructed around the museum building to have a visual connect for the visitor. The theme is also followed in the interiors. *

Galleries

The first ''Tirtha'' gallery presents religious and ritual activities held at Siddhpur. It is located on the lower level. The first circular chamber ''Garbhagriha'' is "dramatically" surrounded by natural light and water. It also include a theme of "primodial water" where life originates and ends to present the rituals associated with water at Bindu Sarovar. The wall frescoes narrates ten myths and legends associated with '' shraddh'' ritual. The second ''Itihas'' gallery has artifacts, photographs and collections reflecting the history of the region. They includes original artifacts as well as replicas sourced from various public institutions and private collections. The facades and models are included in the gallery as an architectural elements. The displays has natural or neutral tones and either smooth white (corian) or textured (granite) surfaces. These displays and the partitions guide the movement path of a visitor. The third ''Samaj'' gallery highlights the societal and cultural aspects of the people living in the region. It is positioned above the ''Itihas'' gallery. The museum also has a collection of historical artifacts as well as objects of everyday life. A replica of the ''

torana ''Torana'' ( sa, तोरण; '' awr-uh-nuh') is a free-standing ornamental or arched gateway for ceremonial purposes in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture of the Indian subcontinent. Toranas can also be widely seen in Southeast Asia and ...

'' gateway of the

Rudra Mahalaya temple The Rudra Mahalaya Temple, also known as Rudramal, is a destroyed/desecrated Hindu temple complex at Siddhpur in the Patan district of Gujarat, India. Its construction was started in 943 AD by Mularaja and completed in 1140 AD by Jayasimha Si ...

is constructed in the premises of the museum.

References

{{commonscat Museums in Gujarat Local museums in India Museums established in 2017 2017 establishments in Gujarat Tourist attractions in Patan district Siddhpur