The
NATIONAL MUSEUM near Swayambhunath is located at Chhauni and
the local people call it Chhauni museum. It has a large collection
of Hindu and Buddhist statues and other artifacts some dating
back to the 2nd. Cent AD. Archeological finds from Lumbini (Buddha's
birthplace) are also housed here in the Buddhist section (Buddhist
Art Gallery). Interesting displays like the Tibetan leather
cannon and Napoleon III's sword are interesting. Opens daily
from 9am to 4pm and remains closed on Govt. holidays, Sundays
and Mondays. Tourists are charged Rs. 50/- SAARC Nationals-Rs.
10/-. Cameras can be taken in for Rs.50/- and Video Cameras
for Rs.100/-
Within the National Museum also lies the NUMISMATIC MUSEUM.
A large variety of coins from as early as the 1st. cent AD are
on display here. Of particular interest are the leather and
clay coins. It is worth visiting.
The MUSEUM
OF NATURAL HISTORY is devoted to animals, butterflies and
plants. The stuffed animals are particularly interesting.
Open from 10am to 4pm. It is closed on Sundays and Govt. holidays.
Entry Fee: Rs. 20/-. Fee for cameras: Rs.20/-
The TRIBHUWAN
MUSEUM at the old Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Durbar Square in Kathmandu
traces the life of King Tribhuwan who ended the long domination
of the Ranas. The numerous personal effects of the late King
make this an interesting tour. Adjacent to this is the MAHENDRA
MUSEUM dedicated to the dynamic ruler King Mahendra B.B. Shah,
the father of late King Birendra and present King Gyanendra.
The museums are open daily from 9:15am to 3 pm. except Sunday,
Monday and Govt. holidays.
The PATAN
MUSEUM at the old palace at Durbar Square, Patan is a treasure
house of bronze statues from both the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons.
Also on display are old photographs of Kathmandu valley; some
taken at the turn of the last century. It is open daily from
10:30am to 4:30 pm.
Entrance Fee: Rs. 120/- (For SAARC Nationals -Rs. 30/- ) The
museum was recently restored, which explains the unusually
high entrance fee.
The NATIONAL ART GALLERY in the old palace at Durbar Square,
Bhaktapur is well worth a visit. An impressive collection
of stone, brass and bronze sculpture along with ancient manuscripts
and paintings depicting Gods and Goddesses are found here.
The Paubas, which are Nepali scroll paintings, are precious.
It is open from 9:30am to 3:30 pm daily except on Sundays,
Mondays and Govt. holidays. Entrance Fee: Rs. 20/- (SAARC
Nationals-Rs. 10/-) No photography allowed. The same ticket
is valid for the Woodcarving Museum as well as the Bronze
& Brass Museum.
The NATIONAL
WOODCARVING MUSEUM at Dattatreya Square in Bhaktapur is what
was once the Pujari Math (Math=a monastery for Hindu priests)
It houses woodcarving specimens from the 12th and 13th cent
AD including a beautiful Manjushri statue. On its eastern
wall is the famous carved peacock window made of wood. The
building itself is a treasure house of carved windows and
pillars.
The BRONZE
& BRASS MUSEUM also at Dattatreya Square opposite the
Woodcarving Museum has on display a vast collection of metal
ware dating mostly from the 20th cent.AD. Interesting spittoons,oil
lamps, measuring vessels, Kalash (ritual water vessels), etc.make
the museum worth visiting.
MUSEUMS
OUTSIDE KATHMANDU VALLEY
The HATTISAR
MUSEUM & FISH EXHIBITION ROOM at Bhimphedi, Makhwanpur
has a unique collection of "cages" used in the past
by Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur along with crowns and
hunting outfits.
The ELEPHANT
MUSEUM also in Bhimphedi, Makhwanpur houses elaborately designed
Howdahs that were brought from England by the Rana rulers
of the past. Howdahs are mounted on elephants to seat people
in comfort.
The NATURAL
HISTORY MUSEUM of Pokhara lies at rthe north end of town.
It is also known as the Annapurna Regional Museum. The museum
holds some interesting exhibits collected by ACAP on environmental
problems. The natural history section consists of models depicting
Nepali wildlife made of cement. There is also an impressive
collection of butterflies, moths and insects. Open from 9am
to 1 pm and 2pm to 5pm. There is no entry fee.
The POKHARA
MUSEUM, a little past the bus stop off Naya Bazaar road, reflects
the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and history
of ethnic groups such as the Gurungs, Thakalis and Tharus
are attractively displayed through models, photographs and
artifacts. A major attraction is a display of the remains
of an 8,000-year old settlement in Mustang. The museum is
open everyday except Tuesdays and holidays.
The DHANKUTA MUSEUM in Dhankuta has on display ethnic artifacts
and archeological finds from eastern Nepal. It opens daily
from 10am to 4pm except on Tuesdays and Govt. holidays. Entry
Fee: Rs. 5/-. Camera charge: Rs. 5/- and Video Cameras: Rs.10/-.
SURKHET
MUSEUM at Surkhet has a collection of ethnic artifacts covering
western Nepal. Weapons, domestic utensils, costumes and ornaments
are on display. Open daily except on Tuesdays and Govt. holidays.
Entrance: Rs.5/-
The THARU
CULTURAL MUSEUM at Thakurdwara in Bardia (near the National
Park) showcases the Tharu Culture in the form of costumes,
utensils, other household objects and their Art and Craft.
The MUSTANG
ECO MUSEUM in Jomsom has on display; beads, bones and other
ornaments along with ceramics that were recovered from burial
grounds. Besides these there are clothing, musical instruments
and a whole section devoted to Herbal Medicine. Open from
8am to 11pm and from 2pm to 5pm.
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