Keladi Museum and Research Institute
| Place | Keladi |
|---|---|
| State | Karnataka |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1960 |
| Museum Type | Archaeological and Historical (Research Institute) |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Keladi, Karnataka 577430 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Open daily occasionally closed on local festivals) |
| Entry Fee | Adults: ₹10 Children: ₹5 Photography: ₹50 (Mobile/Camera) (These are nominal fees intended for the |
Museum Introduction
Founded by the renowned scholar Keladi Gunda Jois, this museum is dedicated to the history of the Keladi Nayakas (a post-Vijayanagara dynasty) who ruled the Malnad region of Karnataka. Located near the Rameshwara Temple in Keladi, the institute serves as a critical center for regional historical research, focusing on the preservation of manuscripts and artifacts that define the cultural and political identity of the Nayaka era.
General Collections
The museum houses a significant collection of artifacts recovered from the Keladi, Ikkeri, and Bednur regions. This includes hero stones (Viragal), sati stones, bronze idols, and a variety of copper plate inscriptions. It also features a specialized numismatic section with coins from the Kadamba, Vijayanagara, and Keladi periods.
Unique Historical Collections
The institute is most famous for its Manuscript Library, which contains over a thousand ancient palm-leaf and paper manuscripts written in Kannada, Sanskrit, and Tigalari scripts. A prized exhibit is a 17th-century copper plate inscription issued by the Keladi rulers and a rare manuscript of the Keladinripavijaya, which provides the definitive history of the dynasty.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is an essential stop for researchers of the "Tulu-Kannada" cultural intersection. It is closely associated with the nearby Rameshwara and Veeryabhadra temples, which showcase the unique Keladi architectural style. |
| Artifacts | Palm-leaf manuscripts of ancient texts; Copper plate land grants (Shasanas); Intricately carved stone idols; Antique household utensils of the Malnad region; Weapons used by the Keladi army; Rare coins including the Varaha and Pagoda. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 8183 260 144 |
| Email ID | history@kuvempu.ac.in |
Artifact Gallery
