Government Museum, Pdukottai
| Place | Pudukkottai |
|---|---|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1910 |
| Museum Type | Multipurpose / Archaeological Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Thirukkokarnam, Pudukkottai, Kavinad West, Tamil Nadu 622002 |
| Visiting Time | 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM (Saturday–Thursday) Closed on Fridays and National Holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹5 (Indian Adults) ₹3 (Indian Children) ₹100 (Foreign Nationals). Camera fee: ₹20 Video: ₹100 |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1910 by the Pudukkottai Princely State, the Government Museum, Pudukkottai is the second-largest museum in Tamil Nadu after the Chennai Museum. Located at Thirugokarnam, it was initially a state museum under the Thondaiman kings and was taken over by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1950. It serves as a comprehensive repository for the rich archaeological, natural, and cultural history of the region.
General Collections
The museum is divided into 18 galleries covering diverse subjects including Archaeology, Anthropology, Numismatics, Art, Zoology, Botany, and Geology. The collections include megalithic burial urns, stone sculptures, rare bronze icons, tribal weapons, musical instruments, and extensive natural history specimens.
Unique Historical Collections
Whale Skeleton: A unique 70-foot-long whale skeleton, one of the largest of its kind in an Indian museum. Working Model of Tyrannosaurus: A modern educational attraction featuring a life-size working model of a T-Rex. Vijayalaya Choleeswaram Relics: Houses several original sculptures recovered from the 9th-century Vijayalaya Choleeswaram temple at Narthamalai. Narimedu Plant Fossil: An exceptional 20-million-year-old plant fossil discovered locally.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is particularly famous for its collection of artifacts related to the Thondaiman Dynasty, the former rulers of Pudukkottai. It also acts as a primary research center for the numerous megalithic sites found throughout the district. |
| Artifacts | Chola and Pandya bronze icons (Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha); Megalithic burial urns and iron implements; Inscribed copper plates; Royal portraits of Thondaiman kings; 17-foot whale jaws; 11th-century Ardhanarishvara sculpture; Ancient boomerangs and spears. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 4322 23647 |
| Email ID | museumpdk@gmail.com |
Artifact Gallery
