KRISHNAGIRI MUSEUM

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Krishnagiri Museum is located near Apsara Theatre on Gandhi Road. It was opened as 12th District Museum in the year 1993. This Museum exhibits objects of Art and Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Botany and Zoology disciplines. Most important exhibits of this Museum are the Hero Stones, which were collected from different parts of this district.

Visitors can have the Knowledge of history of Krishnagiri district from as early as Paleolithic period through Neolithic and Megalithic to modern period by the exhibits displayed here. Paleolithic tools collected from Varattanappalli and Kappalvadi, Neolithic tools collected from Katheri, Gangaleri, Thogarapplli, Paiyur, Kokkikalpodu, Modhur, Gollahalli and Vellolai are displayed.

Krishnagiri district was inhabited by Megalithic people after the Neolithic culture. Megalithic culture in this district was understood by its different types of burial systems, paintings both on rock and dolmens and the presence of iron objects with black and red ware potteries. In this Museum different types of megalithic potteries from Beemandapalli and photographs of rock paintings of Periyakottappalli and Krishnagiri hill and dolmens of Mallasandram are displayed.

Megalithic period was followed by Sangam age. Sangam literatures describe the erection of hero stones elaborately. To commemorate the heroic deeds of the warrior who died in the battlefield Hero stones were erected. Such hero stones are abundant in Krishnagiri district. Hero stones brought from Beemandapalli, Sulagiri, Kathadikuppam, Chinnakothur, Emakkalnattham, Kodiyalam, Londenpet and Pennesvaramadam are displayed here.

The hero stone from Chinnakothur carved with inscription marks that the person died after killing a horse in a battle at Karuvayanpalli. Stone inscription from Beemandapalli of Rajamahendra Chola (1062) displayed adjacent to the Hero Stone informs that Seramakkan wife of a warrior who died in the battle at Koodumukki committed Sati (Theeppanjaal). Another inscription brought from Karakkuppam of Vijayanagar period refers to the gift of akaram (agraharam). The inscription from Pochampalli refers to a gift made by Thavana Dandanayaka to Thiruvanatheesvarar temple for the wellbeing of Hoysala King Someesvara Deva on his 13th regnal year.

Stone sculptures from BeruHalli, Nadusal, Kaveripattanam and Bimandappalli are also displayed in this Museum. Wood carvings displayed here include Gangathara and Bhairava have been brought from temple cars of different places of Tamil Nadu. Some paintings of contemporary art displayed here records the trend of modern art.

Two Cannons of about 18th century from Bujjagoundanpudur and Hosur are displayed here. Swords, Dagger, Knife with cover, Cannon balls made of stone, Gun powder Gun are other weapons displayed In this Museum. Photographs of Krishnagiri, Thattakkal, Jegadevi and Maharajakadai forts tell the story of militancy of this area during 16th to 19th centuries. One can also see Centuries old Terracotta figurines, Tiles of roofs and Palm leaf Manuscripts displayed here.

Street Play art objects, Lambadi dress and ornaments, musical instruments, objects of Irulas and Kurumbas portray the life style of different kinds of people living in Krishnagiri District.

Separate showcases for Human Physiology, Pre historic animals, jungle animals and solar system have models to demonstrate their nature to the school children. Working models of groups of animals, life through ages, volcano, magic fish and model of our earth entertain the students.

Specimens of Rocks, Minerals and fossils of Geology, Medicinal plants of Botany, Coral reef, scrub jungle, reptiles, skulls of some animals and birds and Birds sanctuary of Zoology are other sections attract both common people and students. So Krishnagiri Museum exhibits the history, art and cultural wealth of this District in particular and science in general.