Belagavi is a historic city in the state of Karnataka with various museums showcasing the regions art, history, traditions and science which offers visitors a glimpse into the history of Belagavi. Here we gave our top must visit museum in weekdays and weekends.
Discover The Top 6 Museums Of Belagavi
KLE Centenary Museum:
KLE Centenary Museum was established in the year 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the KLE Society.
This is located in the JNMC Campus of KLE Hospital road near the Nehru Nagar of Belagavi, Karnataka. The KLE Centenary Museum was inaugurated by Shabana Aazmi.
The gallery displayed is conceived as a chronological narrative, and it is not contained solely within the restored building, but is extended into the site by the addition of two pavilions that are distributed into the landscape.
In 1916, hundred years ago, seven young people returned in Belagavi and established a modest charitable organization for the betterment of education in the region. They were helped by three local landlords of the city, who saw their potential and dedication for the work. Thus, the museum was formed by the KLE society that started with a humble Anglo-vernacular school in 1916 is now a behemoth with a span of 250 + institutions with a footprint across the country.
For the project, The building selected to house the museum was an 80 year old, modest dilapidated structure in the main KLE campus in Belgaum. At various times in its life, this stone and timber building served various functions. It display is conceived as a chronological narrative, and it is not contained solely within the restored building, but is extended into the site by the addition of two pavilions that are interspersed into the landscape. The existing trees on the site were not only retained but the two interlinked pavilions were generated around them.
As one enters the complex from the road, he/she has to access the heritage building through the ‘Pavilion of the Saptarishis’. This pavilion is a simple L shaped clay-tile roofed walkway that is laid around an existing fig tree. At the base of the fig tree is a statue of the 12th century reformer Shri. Bashweshwara whose philosophy and teachings the KLE society is inspired by. A lotus pond in front of the heritage building gives a reflective foreground to the building and also ensures that entry is only through the Pavilion of the Saptarishsis.
The original building was an old basalt stone and laterite construction with closely spaced walls dividing the space into small cellular spaces, albeit with tall ceilings. All internal walls, except for the central core and the entrance walls were removed to create a seamless exhibition space around the central core that also took the load of the pyramidal roof above. A curvilinear wrapped staircase was introduced around the central audio visual room that leads one to the mezzanine. With its white peeling layers juxtaposed with curvilinear railings, it is simultaneously a circulation and display space.
Additionally, the main structure is a glass enclosure that abuts the building and serves as the exit point. Teakwood lattice below the roof filters and tempers the sunlight in this space. Spatially, this glass and wood enclosure is conceived as an in-between space between the building and the landscape and signals the movement from the building back to the landscape. This section commemorates all the important people who visited the various KLE Institutions, from presidents and prime ministers to great scientists like Shri. C.V. Raman.
The gallery is ordered around a linear chronological narrative that spans the history of the KLE society through the last hundred years. This small building, in many ways, is emblematic of the domestic architectural heritage of this once quaint town, a heritage that is sadly being replaced by rampant uncontrolled growth. In a way, the collection of the antiques would be not just about the KLE society, but would also be an important public space that makes people aware of the architectural legacy of their hometown.
The exhibition hall displays the statues of seven founders, also known as Saptarshis, and three major donors. Several antiques used by saptarishis, including old watches, gramophone, bioscopies and typewriters are also on display. it also discover the top photographs of chairmen and presidents of the society so far, and social workers. There are also photographs of eminent personalities who have visited KLE institutions, including Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Abdul Kalam and Narendra Modi.
The gallery houses a collection of art facts, photographs, documents, and other memorabilia that highlights the growth of the society and its impact on the community over the years.
For more details you can contact: 8312442200 or email: klebelgaum@gmail.com you can visit: http://klesociety.org
Police Museum:
Police Museum is housed in a old building which was renovated in 1997. Praveen Sood, the Director General of Police of Karnataka inaugurated the Police Museum at Belagavi Police Headquarters, SP office Road in Belagavi.
The heritage center displays information on Old type of Guns used, and showcases old High explosive number 36 grenade, Rounds pouch, Ruffle cleaning materials, Gramophone, old band equipment’s, Finger print kit box and A Police Bus. Museum also displays Wall of Fame consists of SP’s of Belagavi District and DG & IGP’s of Karnataka. The Ancient police used instrument and materials used before, Now with the efforts of SP Laxman Nimbargi all the Ancient materials have been collected and displayed at bhavan at police Head quarters.
The exhibition hall is open to all public of Karnataka to visit and acquire some knowledge. People can visit the museum between 10am and 4pm.
For further details you can visit: belagavicitypolice.karnataka.gov.in
Museum for Ethnomedicinal Plants at ICMR-NITM Campus:
The Museum of Ethnomedicinal Plants of the Western Ghats were established at ICMR-NITM in Belagavi as part of the Regional Medical Research Centre in the year 1980.
The establishment of a exhibition hall is dedicated to the medicinal plant wealth of Western Ghats is a step towards fulfilling this lacuna. The archive is serving as the IEC center for medicinal plants and traditional medicine system in North West Karnataka. However, More than 710 photographs of 265 species of medicinal plants were collected during the process, of which 113 laminated color photographs are displayed in the museum. A total of 684 herbaria of 356 species were prepared. Illustrative scientific charts of various branches of traditional medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha (Indian systems of medicine), modern medicine, pharmacology, etc. are displayed in the museum.
Additionally, A total number of 460 crude drug samples are collected so far, of which 285 are dry preserved specimens and 175 are wet preserved specimen samples. Most of the collected information is stored in digital format. The photographs of the plants were stored electronically to develop Digital Image Library of the medicinal plants. All the herbaria are scanned and stored in the computer system, which is serving as Digital Herbaria. It features medicinal plants, scientific charts, and crude drug samples.
Moreover, the exhibition hall has two multimedia kiosks providing touch screen information to visitors on medicinal plants of Western Ghats. Several training programs and workshops are routinely conducted as a part of IEC activity The people from various backgrounds and professions are regularly visiting the cultural center. The heritage center is serving as the IEC center for medicinal plants and traditional medicine system in Belagavi city of North West Karnataka.
For more details you can contact: 0831-2439206 or email : director.nitm@icmr.gov.in or visit the official website at http://icmrnitm.res.in
Kittur Rani Chennamma Memorial Government Museum:
Kittur Rani Channamma Memorial Government Museum is an archaelogical heritage center located inside Kittur Fort near National Highway No 4.The museum has been established in memory of Rani Chennamma, the queen of the princely state of Kittur, on January 10,1967 by the Former Prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The Cultural Center is managed by the state department of archaeology and museums, Government of Karnataka. However, the Gallery houses a collection of antiquities found in and around Kittur, including weapons, swords, and ancient paintings. The heritage center also preserves the history of Kittur Palace and the ancient items found in Kittur. Locks, Potterys, Soldier Dresses, Arms and Armoury in 18 th Century AD like Sword, Spike, Chilakattu, Dandapatti, Shields, Canon, Canon Balls, Knife with Brass Hilt, Terracotta beads, Shell bangle pieces, Glass bangle pieces, Pottery pieces are displayed in the museum .
The Gallery has a total of 152 coins collections, out of these coins, one hundred and thirty two coins are of Copper, eight coins are of Silver, Six Coins are Aloy and Six coins are Brass. These coins are ascribable to 17th, 18th , 19th and 20th centuries. Most of Coins are: Rama, Tanka, Marata Period like Madava Roa Shinde, Shivaji Roa Shinde, Bijapura Sultans, Victoria Empress, Queen Victoria, Edward-VII George-V,VI, Krishnaraja Odeyar Quarter Anna, Half Anna, Paisa etc.
Furthermore, In this Gallery are displayed some of the select paintings of Modern Art of varieties, diverse styles and subjects, creative and realistic by the artists of the region. Keen perception, three dimensional effect, harmonious color blending and highly individualistic technique characterize these art works. Paintings displayed in this cultural center are typical examples of different varieties. There are 99 paintings featured in this gallery. Therefore, a visit to this archive is most welcome as it is inspiringly interesting, informative of a very important and memorable episode in the history of the National Freedom Struggle of our great nation.
There are numerous Stone Sculpture of different styles and kinds, religious and mundane and inscriptions of historical significance, datable from early Chalukyan to the post Vijayanagara. Additionally, dancing figures like Vishnu, Naga Stones, Saraswati, Shanmukha, Saptamatrukas, Parshvanatha in khadgasana, the 23rd Jainathirtankara, serene and of excellent workmanship Hero Stones and Mahasati Stones, etc. are also present in the heritage center.
The museum is open all days from 10:00AM to 05:30PM.
You can contact for more details : 08288-286423 or visit the official website at archaeology.karnataka.gov.in
Gangadadharrao Deshpande Memorial and Museum:
The Gangadharrao Deshpande Memorial and Museum was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the year 2024.
The Exhibition hall features a hall, a statue of Deshpande, a photo gallery, paved pathways, and a landscaped garden. The facility was constructed at a cost of Rs 1.58 crore to preserve and promote awareness of Deshpande’s significant contributions to India’s independence movement. The Belagavi Urban Development Authority sanctioned 1,500 square meters of land for the project of the institute.
Acharya Vidyasagar Birthplace Museum:
Acharya Vidyasagar was an influential Indian born on 10 October 1946 in the Belagavi District, of Karnataka in a Kannada-speaking Jain family. The modest house where he was born, is now a temple and a museum honoring his life and contributions towards the society.
Additionally, the display offers visitors a glimpse into his early life and spiritual journey. The treasury also features Personal Artifacts, Photographs and Documents and it also showcases his extensive writings which reflects his literary prowess and philosophical insights.
For further details you can visit the official website at : vidyasagar.guru
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