Guided tour of museums conducted to mark International Museum Day

Engaging Museum on Wheels initiative in Mysuru showcases heritage across four prominent museums, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation.

The International Museum Day was marked by an engaging initiative titled “Museum on Wheels”, in which nearly 130 participants were taken on a special heritage ride across four prominent museums and galleries in Mysuru on Sunday.

Conducted by the Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage, it was inaugurated by A. Devaraju, Commissioner of the department, who underlined the importance of museums in showcasing art and cultural heritage and making people aware of their past.

He said it was important to visit museums as the exhibits and artifacts help enrich one’s knowledge of the culture and traditions of the region.

Nearly 130 people from Mysuru, Mandya, and Hassan had registered for the heritage tour, which entailed visits to the Wellington Museum, the Payana, the Regional Museum of Natural History, and the Mysuru Rail Museum. The event was entirely free and open to the public, with museum entry waived for the day for the participants.

Mr. Devaraju said, “International Museums Day is being celebrated across the world at the behest of the International Council of Museums, and the theme for 2025 is ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.’ In this connection, the department also plans to conduct a debate contest or essay writing contest for school and college students to get them involved and help them understand the importance of museums and their evolving roles.

Mr. Devaraju also urged the parents and teachers to take their children to museums to help stimulate their interest in them on issues related to art, culture, history, and tradition at an early age.  

The heritage tour included a visit to Wellington Lodge, which houses the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay (IGRMS) and showcases the evolution of culture from prehistoric times. The recently inaugurated Art Gallery, which showcases both traditional and modern paintings, is the highlight of the new attraction.