Museums of Odisha

Odisha Tour Packages

Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar

It is locates in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This museum established in 1932 by two historians Prof. N. C. Banerjee and Prof. Ghanshyam Dash of Revensha University at collage premise in Cuttack. They collected archaeological treasures from various places. Then it shifted to Barmunda, Bhubaneswar in 1946, Patel Hall in 1950, And after the museum was laid by the President of India, Rajendra Prasad the museum is shifted to current building in Acharya Bihar, Bhubaneswar in 1960. It has 10 galleries. 

Here tourists can get knowledge about Odisha’s history, art and craft, animals etc. So many things are kept here in preserved form. This is a worth visiting place so if you want to know more about Odisha, visit Odisha State Museum in Bhubaneswar. 

Timing: 10 AM – 5 PM (Monday Closed) 

Museum of Tribal Arts and Artifacts, Bhubaneswar 

It locates in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It was established in 1953 to showcase the life style and culture of the 62 tribal communities of Odisha. It is also known as “Museum of Man” and popularly known as Tribal Museum. In different galleries it displays the tribal life which includes their attire traditions, ornaments, food habits, artwork, tools, weapons. Some tribal huts are made on the premises of the museum to showcase how and where the tribes are living. The museum displays elements of anthropological interest and gives an insight on the different stages of evolution of tribal cultures. And a library is also here where visitors can find the proper information about tribes from different books. 

Just spend 2-3 hours in this museum and you will get to know a lot about tribes. Except tribes guest can you can get knowledge of art and artifacts of Odisha. Some master crafts person’s were seen working in the museum rooms and making pieces even as they demonstrated same before the visitors. Pottery, stonework, metal craft and tapestry and many more The Museum building itself is very quaint with delicate murals and tribal art and paintings on the walls. The items can be bought also at very reasonable prices. This is great place, very informative and educational. It is the best place to know about the indigenous people of Odisha. 

Timing: 10 AM – 4 PM (Monday Closed) 

Kala Bhoomi: Odisha Crafts Museum, Bhubaneswar 

2It started in 2018 to display the rich craftsmanship of Odis artists. It has 8 galleries where visitors can find different types of crafts of different places of Odisha. It also have open air amphitheater, workshop area and souvenir shop. The Hand-looms galleries display unique and antique raw materials and equipment as well as variety of Hand looms from across the state. The textiles of Odisha have gained worldwide acclaim and reputation for design and quality. And it is a reflection of its cultural ethos with intricate weaves giving it a distinct personality. The thread work, motifs and vibrant colors make them rich and desirable that can turn heads, make an unmistakable style statement and also be passed down for generations, making it a prized heirloom. The typical design motifs include rows of birds and animals, fish, seashells, rudraksh beads and temple spires etc are make the Odia textile products very beautiful. Thousands of weavers are inhabited in remote villages living with age old traditions, creating superb workmanship on silk, cotton, tusser fabrics. The weavers of each region work in their own distinctive style. Odisha saris are made using all these beautiful textiles and techniques and are consequently some of the most pretty and unique saris in India. They are greatly influence by the Jagannath (Hindu deity worshiped in Odisha) culture and frequently display temple borders, mythological designs and the traditional colors of Jagannath. 

Wonderful place to visit with family and friends. Take out 2 to 3 hrs and soak up the atmosphere and explore the audio visual interactive sections. Best part of it was when you get to see the local artists creating in front of you. The staff is courteous and helpful, adding the value to museum. Several workshops were going on in a separate section while the open air amphitheater nestled amidst trees is ideal for live art performances. You’ll definitely get to learn many new facts about the culture of Odisha and you’ll be amazed to see how they’ve portrayed the beautiful skills the people of Odisha posse 

Timing: 10 a – 5.30 PM (Sunday – Saturday) 

Netaji Birth Place Museum, Cuttack 

The great Indian freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack Odia Bazar. The founder of Azad Hind Fauz. The real hero responsible for the independence of our country. He spent his total childhood days here in Odia Bazar. So now his home has been converted as Museum to showcase our national fighter’s life style and enlighten the history, It take you to that old times. The rooms are converted into different galleries; you can find his belongings, the furniture used in the house, Netaji's photographs, and other materials that were parts of his life. You can also find some hand written letters of Subash Chandra Bose to his family. There are around 500 books here that talk about the leader's early life, schooling, freedom movement, etc. It is worth visiting for them who are the real patriots and love his history. 

The museum itself is divided into sections related to his birth, early upbringing and later exploits, both as a Congress leader and as the leader of the Indian National Army. Life events are displayed chronologically as well as event wise. it is definitely a place worth going to. Here you will get A great experience to visit the Netaji birth place Cuttack. 

Timing: 9 AM – 8 PM (Sunday Closed) 

Odisha State Maritime Museum, Cuttack 

The Odisha State Maritime Museum located at Bank of Mahanadi River at Jobra, Cuttack. It is the largest marine museum in Odisha. In 1866 under Bengal Presidency of British India this place is constructed as a river boat construction and repair workshop by Mr. G.H. Faulkner an engineer of the British PWD Department. It was not ony a workshop but also looked after the inland water ways, irrigation projects and distribution of water. At that time the access to Calcutta from Cuttack was only through a journey on river Mahanadi to the False Point near Paradeep and on sea up to Calcutta or from Chandabali to Calcutta. In 2013 this place was renovated as marine museum. The museum has 13 galleries showcasing maritime traditions, vessels, boats and other related artifacts from the ancient age to the colonial era. The chief attractions are the wooden boat replicas, the huge boat shed and the lathe which was the largest in Asia during its time. The addition of the 3D shows along with the aquarium section to the museum is a huge draw especially for the kids. A library with more than 1000 books and journals has been included for researchers in the museum. 

The maritime museum offers a splendid look at the ancient voyages from the coast of Odisha to Java, Sumatra, Bali etc. It also has a small aquarium. You will see different kinds of fish with well maintained tanks neat & clean. Different kinds of boats and well maintained garden. The museum carries the maritime history of Odisha and India has been set up at the British era boat building workshop at Jobra, Cuttack which had been lying in dilapidated condition for ages. This is a great place for learning and entertainment, for the Cuttack city dwellers.

Timing: 10 AM – 4 PM (Monday Closed) 

Tribal Museum, Koraput 

The tribal museum behind the Jagannath Temple Koraput with collections of mines, costumes hand woven clothes, musical instruments, caters to and educates the tourists about the culture and heritage of the tribals. The Tribal Museum, founded in 1992, holds great importance because of its authentic display of the tribal culture of Odisha, providing a glimpse into their largely unexplored lives. The museum is housed in a 150-year-old colonial bungalow which was earlier the Tea District Labour Association office then it was carefully renovated and converted into the tribal museum in January 1992. The galleries of museum showcase a broad spectrum of tribal artifacts, but the museum devotes as much to the cultural and historical record of the different tribes of the region as it does to their arts and crafts. The museum has on display a collection of stone sculptures, metal images and objects, terracotta, wooden objects, paintings, documents, rare objects and textiles among other things. 

Awesome place which depicts the tribal cultural heritage of Odisha with their weapons, utensils, dresses and there is a short movie to be watching by visitors is worthy to watch. It preserves the cultural heritage of the local tribes and promotes their arts, crafts, dances and music. This tribal museum especial built from the habitats of the tribal life of Koraput district and the surroundings really its very beautiful and worth seeing place.

Timing: 9 AM – 6 PM (Sunday – Saturday) 

Regional Science Centre, Bhubaneswar 

Regional Science Centre is established on 1989 at Bhubaneswar. The Centre shows the inculcating scientific temper and popularizing science & technology amongst people of all walks of life, students in particular, in the state of Odisha through exhibits, exhibitions, special shows and educational programmes It has 3 Galleries Motion Gallery, Mathematics Gallery and Science Gallery. In the motion gallery yo will gain knowledge about the subjects related to universe like the concept of motion In the Mathematics gallery the displays of this exhibit tell you about India’s contribution in the field of math and also speak a lot about Vedic period of mathematics. And in the Science Gallery you will gain knowledge about various aspects of science through interactive programs and three dimensional figures. 

You should visit this place if you like science. This place shows exhibits and many displays who will attract kids. It has teachers lurking around to teach how the thing in front of you works. It also has a innovation hub for children where children practically do what they learn. it's worth visiting place. 

Timing: 10 AM – 6 PM (Sunday – Saturday) 

Sudarshan Crafts Museum, Puri 

Sudarshan Crafts Museum established by Shri Sudarshan Sahoo Shri Sudarshan Sahoo in the year 1977 at Station Road, Puri, Odisha. He was artist practicing the art of traditional sculptures in the medium of stone and wood at his ancestral home in Kumuti Sahi, Puri town. After visiting India and different part of world he thought to create a place for artists to showcase their talents and create different types of crafts. Which will display our rich heritage of arts and crafts to the tourists. He started the center in the year 1977 with some artists and assistants. Now in the museum there are different types of Galleries displays Stone Sculptures, Wooden sculptures, Metal work and Fiber glass work. The museum displays the change that has taken place in traditional sculptures over the decades.  

It is a nice place to visit those who love art work. Apart from having a look at the crafts museum, there's a nice Japanese pagoda there to see. Beautifully crafted with Japanese Buddha Images and Idols . and intriguing beautiful example of Japanese architecture. You also get to visit the workshop in the premises where you can see artisans in action making new sculptures. And also very good curios and artifacts are available over here at reasonable rates. If you are interested in buying sculptures or looking at craftsman peacefully sculpting their latest work then you should visit here. You can buy sculptures from the museum inside. A good option if you are looking to pick up sculptures of Buddha, Ganesha and other deities. They also have the option of sending you your purchases by courier. 

Odi Art Centre, Barkul 

Odi Art Centre established to promote rural art, culture and literature of Odisha at Barkul near to Chilika Lake. It is developed by Society for Development of Rural Literature, a non – profit cultural society. The museum gas 16 galleries to display different type of folk and tribal artifacts and handicrafts like masks, brass work, wooden crafts, stone carving and bamboo arts. The center has an amphitheater to watch live performance of folk music and dance. 

Archeological Museum, Konark 

The Archeological Museum, Konark established in the year 1968 and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India which houses actual relics from the temple (some of the rest are housed in the British museum). The museum is located near to the Konark temple in the north direction. The museum has 4 galleries that showcase 260 different fallen architectural pieces and sculptures that were found during the clearance work of Konark temple complex. The Konark museum is a treasure house for historians and art lovers and is open for public. The first gallery holds 62 antiquities, out of which the image of Surya in sand stone, the Khandolite built reconstructed wheel, various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, etc. are the major attractions. The second gallery has 108 antiquities on display. The reconstructed wall of temple, cult objects like dikpals and celestial nymphs, the head of the crocodile in gigantic nature, the flora and fauna carved on stone, the drummer, etc. are among main display in the gallery. The third gallery of this museum showcases 45 objects like celestial nymphs, image of Surya Narayana, Gaja Vyala, the king with his troop and various erotic figures. 

The museum is a small one - but it provides in-depth information about the Temple. It is a worth spending an hour to get a feel of artwork from near. There are some interesting artifacts, notably, surya, leogryph, bramha etc. It has history of the place with many details. Idol of god Sun is also seen here which is not worshiped in Sun temple. This place is a hidden gem. If you are interested in knowing history and architecture of the Konark Sun temple do visit this place. 

Timing: 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed – Friday) 

Archaeological Museum, Ratnagiri 

The Archaeological Museum of Ratnagiri is situated in the Jajpur, Odisha. It established in 1998 to showcase the artifacts are mainly related to Buddhism, dating back to the 5th to the 13th century. It has 4 galleries reserve collection of antiquities which include stone sculptural pieces, monolithic votive stupas, terracotta seals and sealings, bronze objects, glass bangles, all are found from the excavations of the site. It has 3485 listed antiquities of which 238 are displayed in the museum galleries, corridor, back side verandah and in the front entrance of the museum. 

This place is hidden treasure and many people are not aware about this place. It is a Buddhist place. You will find archaeological museum also at this place. It's an excellent place to visit for history enthusiasts and anybody interested in art and architecture. The excavations on the top of the hill here has unearthed a Buddhist monastery. This place is believed to be the site of a large Buddhist monastery or Maharvihara during the ancient period. The place is very serene and tranquil. We get to see several stupas, statues of bodhisattvas Vajrapani and Padmapani, seals and several sculptural remains here. 

Timing: 9 AM – 5 PM (Closed – Friday)