Friday 2 September 2016

A day at the Kelkar Museum, Pune!


About Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum:

The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is situated in the heart of Pune, Maharashtra. Dr. Dinkar G. Kelkar had keen interest in collecting the old historical artifacts from Indian culture. He started collecting the exhibits from around 1920 and later traveled all over the country in search of even smallest of valuable artifacts from ancient India. By the end of year 1960, he collected over 15000 artifacts. And in the year 1962, he decided to hand-over his collection to the State Archaeology Dept., Maharashtra for developing it as a State museum. The Kelkar museum is a three-storey building, which has two wings: Wing A and Wing B. The museum holds around 21000 artifacts of which more than 2000 are on display. Wing A consists of Beauty Culture gallery (Ground floor), Utensils gallery (First floor), Textile and Lamps gallery (Second floor), and Special Exhibition gallery (Third floor). Whereas, Wing B consists of Musical instruments gallery (First floor), Mastani Mahal replica (First floor), Ivory and Toys gallery (Ground floor), Wood work and Sculptures (Ground floor).

Kelkar museum not only holds a great collection of our historical artifacts but it also holds the memories of Dr. Kelkar and his family,who gave away their lives in collecting and maintaining these centuries old day to day life objects. Dr, Kelkar was also honored with Pandam Shri for dedicating his life in contributing to the arts and crafts of India. He gave Indian archaeologists a collection as varied as life itself!

Here I'm sharing some of the pictures of Wing A galleries, will cover Wing B in my next post.


Zaroka - A window at roof or say Ventilator

Wooden sculpture of Dwarpal (Gate keeper)

Vajri Foot Cleaner

Vajri Foot Cleaner

Vajri Mirror

Wooden sculpture

Wooden Wheel of Zodiac Signs

Cords for the Sling : Wood, Iron

Chinese pots

Iron Cart

Round water pot

Textile gallery at Kelkar museum

Leather paintings

Bronze sculpture

Lord Balaji's bronze sculptures

Lord Balaji with Sridevi and Bhudevi

Brass sculpture of Goddess

Lord Ganesha with eighteen hands & Riddhi, Siddhi

Lord Ganesha

Sun lamp

Lamps at Kelkar museum

Lamp at Kelkar museum

Ink-pots

Locks: Brass, Iron
Location Address:  

1377- 78, Natu Baug, Off. Bajirao Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra-411002 (nearby Dagdusheth Ganpati temple)

Museum Timings: 

All days of the week (10AM - 05:30 PM)

Ticket Details: 

Rs. 10 for children below 12 years
Rs. 50 for adults above 12 years
Rs. 200 for foreigners (adults)
Rs. 50 for foreigners (children)

Note: Photography charges extra

My Take: 

Well, if you are a history enthusiast and like to know more about Indian culture then this is the right place for you to visit in Pune. Dept. of Archaeology has done a good job in maintaining this museum. 

A must visit place!


Note: Few details have been taken from Google for accuracy.



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40 comments:

  1. Very well described Saumy. I have always been in love with history such artifacts. The lamp is exquisite, I think that must be something connected to the Maharashtrian culture because I could not find any similar in other places where I have visited. Great work and well packed.http://simpleindianmom.in/6-natural-ways-to-improve-metabolic-rate/

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and reading this post, Menaka! Really glad that you liked it 😊

      Well, you got it right, most of the artifacts are from maharashtra only. 😊

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  2. Another good one with beautiful pics..After seeing these pics..feel like visiting the museum..Great first post my friend :)
    http://kreativemommy.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, Deepa! Glad you liked the pictures 😊 Well, whenever yiu visit Pune, do add this in your itinerary 😊

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  3. I am always inove with history, thanx to my father.
    Always visit a museum if I visit any place, because museum tells you alot about the culture of any place.
    Awesome pics:)
    Waiting for Wing B.

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    1. Thanks for stoppimg by and reading this post, Anshul! 😊

      Well my father was in State Archaeology dept only, and I always had a close connection with history and Indian culture since childhood.😊

      Will post the next part soon! 😊😊
      Thanks again! 😊

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  4. It's so nice !!! Pune my one of fav city 6 years I stayed here n culture is in heart of pune!!

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    1. True that! Its indeed a wonderful city 😊 Thank you so much! 😊

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  5. So many beautiful artefacts ... they all have a story to tell :) Lovely captures.

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    1. Thank you so much, Raj! Really glad that you liked the pictures 😊

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  6. I stayed in Pune for 2 years but never really visited the museum! Not a museum person you see! :P

    Cheers
    Geets

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    1. Haha 😂 if you like photography then you can plan a visit, may be next time.It's not that bad 😉

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  7. Oh thank you for the tour of the museum :) Good pics & you described it perfectly :)

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this post, Sam! Glad you liked it 😊

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  8. wow, I have been to pune so many times for work, but have never heard of this place. That mirror and the iron cart looks so pretty
    Regards
    Tina

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    1. Thank you so much, Tina! Its a beautiful place, do visit it in your next trip!You will love the place 😊

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  9. I'm glad you mentioned this, I've been there once and thoroughly loved it ! Wonderful photos.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and reading this post, Atul! Glad you liked it 😊

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  10. I was a kid when I visited Pune. This post a d amazing photographs compels me to visit Pune.

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    1. Thanks, Ramya! Its an awesome place, whenever you visit Pune, do add this in your itinerary. 😊

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  11. Nice to see all the pics.Gave me the feel of really visiting the museum.A peep into our history and culture.

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    1. Thanks a lot, Subha! Really glad that you liked it :)

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  12. I'm in Pune too, but never been to this museum. The photos look gorgeous! Thanks for writing on this, will have to visit soon.

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    1. That's great, Priyanka! The place is awesome! Hope you visit it soon. :)

      Thanks and glad you liked the pictures! :)

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  13. I just went to Pune and now I wish I had visited this! Wonderful write-up and pictures.

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    1. Thank you so much,Aditi! Glad you liked the post! :)

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  14. Was in Pune for two years and I never visited this museum! Gosh! You take amazing photographs! Keep sharing them. :)

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    1. Thanks a lot for your kind words,Shalini! Glad you liked the pictures :)
      Hope you visit the museum in your next trip to Pune! :)

      Delete
  15. These are so beautiful. I love the mirror. Also the cart, leather paintings (wow!) So much talent & craftsmanship. There are so many things we have to see & so less time. Im a bit disturbed by the entry fee. Isn't unfair to charge more from foreigners?

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    1. Yes,it is unfair to charge more from foreigners but I have seen the same trend in other states too. We can't do much to avoid this because it's the state government who decides the fee structure.

      I agree there are many things to see and explore and one life is not enough to do everything! :(

      Thanks for stopping by, Ranjini! :)

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  16. What a treasure house this is! I've been to Pune several times, but never managed to visit this place. On my must-visit list! You've covered the place beautifully!

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    1. Thank you so much,Kala! You'll love the place for sure. Hope you visit the museum soon. :)

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  17. I have such fond memories of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. I had visited this place when in college and I miss the city a bit too much.
    @samantha_rjsdr

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and reading the post,Ramya! :)

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  18. Such a fantastic post with brilliant camera work. Thank you for posting this, I will surely be taking my kids to this place when I visit Pune next.

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    1. Thank you so much,Mayura! Glad you liked the post :)
      It's a beautiful place.You and your kids will love it for sure! :)

      Delete
  19. Wonderful... Should visit sometime.
    Did you click the pics?

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    1. Thanks you so much,Sachin! Yes, I clicked these pictures! :)

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