Goa State Museum is located in
Panaji of
Goa. It is a repository of archaeological artifacts, most of them dating back to the pre-Portuguese era. It has seven galleries such as Sculpture gallery, Christian Art gallery, Banerji Art Gallery, Religious Expression Gallery, Cultural Anthropology, Contemporary Art Gallery and Western Bronzes Gallery.
The Sculpture Gallery displays stone sculptures and bronzes of different deities, hero stones and sati stones, apart from inscriptions dating back to 4th century AD. A copper plate inscription of the Kadamba king Viravarma, dating back to 1049, is one of the major attractions in the Sculpture Gallery. In addition to this, a fossil bone dating back to 10000 BC is exhibited.
On display in the Christian Art Gallery are wooden statues of various Christian saints, portraits of Portuguese governors and prime minister, rare paintings on wood, metal and canvas, small ivory idols, carved tables and chair of the Portuguese governor general and few chairs of western style.
Banerji Art Gallery includes terracotta objects of Indus Valley Civilization, seals of Janapadas, stone sculptures of Gandhara school of Art, South Indian bronzes, wooden sculptures of South East Asia and
Dhokra ware. Rajasthani miniature paintings of Jaipur School, Marwar School, Mewar School, and paintings of Mughal style, Nathdwara, and Patachitras of Orissa and few contemporary paintings are also displayed here. A major attraction of this gallery is the image of Lord Vishnu, dating back to Gupta period.
Religious expressions of Goa are depicted by Religious Expression Gallery. Objects related to cultural anthropology, household utensils, different games, and weights and measures are exhibited in the Cultural Anthropology Gallery. Contemporary Art Gallery exhibits the paintings and sculptures of notable artist. Western Bronzes Gallery has on display the bronze sculptures of eminent European artists.
Timings: 09:30 to 13:00 hrs and 14:00 to17:30 hrs.
Closed on: Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
