Priyadarshini Museum



Priyadarshini Museum, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Information on Priyadarshini Museum (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) - History & Architecture


Priyadarshini Museum is located in Kerala, India as a sovereign institution owned and managed by the state government in the present day. It is positioned within the site of 'Kerala State Science and Technology'. The Museum initiated its operations from the year 1994 in Thiruvananthapuram city. A planetarium named Priyadarsini Planetarium is attached with the museum.

Priyadarshini Museum Architecture

The museum has a sign of modern day architecture as it was completed in 18-20 years back. The design and construction of the museum depicts a horizontal alignment. The interior of the structure has domed ceiling which serve as a screen for the celestial bodies and other astral objects while they project images over it. There is also a sky theatre within the museum where light and sound shows are held on a day to day basis. The conference hall located within the museum is a meeting point of scientists and researchers where they discuss significant issues and topic. The hall can accommodate 184 people at a time. The museum also has amenities to ensure night sky observation with the use of a telescope of 11 inch. The 'Mobile Science Exhibition Units' inside the museum provide opportunity for the visitor to experience Astrovan which is a mobile astronomy unit. In summer time the museum offers special services to the visitors which primarily include science teachings children. Additionally, the wall in the interior has portraits of lunar missions conducted by people from earth in various planets. The architecture within the museum is a compliment to the IT sector of India and its development over the years. There is also a huge projector inside the museum that showcase all the visible parts in the universe.

Priyadarshini Museum History

Notably, when the museum was initiated in 1994, it established ten galleries within the museum where more than 300 items/artefacts were exhibited. Each of the ten galleries has different set of items relevant to science. In its initial days itself, the museum presented items and artefacts relevant to electronics, mechanical bio-medical domain. Some special galleries include objects interrelated with solar energy. Another important feature of the planetarium of the museum is that it is equipped in a manner where people can travel thousand years in the past being in an illusionary state. The governing body of the museum include the education minister of the state as its chairman who is involved in its daily matters. The Museum also showcases space shuttles of both India and other western lands. Thus from Historical point of view, the Museum is very important as it holds significance when it comes to know about science and transformation from ancient to modern.

Priyadarshini Museum Tourism Importance

The place i.e. Priyadarshini Museum offers it facilities for all age groups from children to the old. It also attracts people of specific profession like scholars, astrologer and professors among others. Shows such as 'The Man and the Universe' are quite popular amid the tourists as it offers a never before experience for the visitors. It is a place that stores bulk of scientific knowledge for the visitors which is quite vital in the knowledge point of view. The state-of-the-art equipment inside the museum is worth seeing for the people. Other nearby attractions of this place i.e. Varkala Beach and Aaranmula Boat Race event will also attract the tourism domain. The museum is open on every day excluding Monday from morning 1030 hours to 1700 hours in the evening.