Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery
| Place | Bengaluru |
|---|---|
| State / UT | Karnataka |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1967 |
| Museum Type | Multidisciplinary (Archaeological, Art, and Historical) |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) |
| Entry Fee | Adults: ₹20 Children: ₹10 Foreigners: ₹100 Photography: ₹50 (Mobile/Camera) |
Museum Introduction
Located in a historic neoclassical red building in Cubbon Park, the Government Museum Bengaluru was founded by Surgeon Edward Balfour and is the second oldest museum in South India. In 1974, the Venkatappa Art Gallery was added to the complex to commemorate the life and works of K. Venkatappa, the pioneer of modern Karnataka art. Together, they form a massive cultural repository spanning from the Neolithic age to contemporary fine arts.
General Collections
The museum houses a vast collection divided into multiple sections: Archaeology, Numismatics, Geology, and Ethnology. The Archaeological section is world-famous for its stone sculptures from the Hoysala, Gandhara, and Nolamba periods. The Venkatappa Art Gallery houses over 600 paintings and sculptures, including modern Indian art and the famous "Himalayan" series.
Unique Historical Collections
The museum preserves the Halmidi Inscription (mid-5th century CE), which is the oldest known Kannada inscription. It also houses the Begur Inscription, featuring the earliest mention of the name "Bengaluru." The gallery section features the original plaster-of-paris sculptures and musical instruments personally crafted and used by K. Venkatappa.