Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum

Pilgrimage | Museum / Gallery

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Kolhapur): 14 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Place Location: At Kaneri

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 14 km from Kolhapur, Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum is a sculpture museum situated at Kaneri in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is a unique project, perhaps the only project in India, and among the interesting places to visit in Kolhapur.

Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum is situated within the campus of Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, which was built around the Moola-Kaadsiddheswar Shiva temple. Also known as Siddhagiri Museum, the museum depicts the self-sufficient village life of the people in Maharashtra, before the invasion of the Mughals with the help of wax and cement statues. This initiative was the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and was created through the vision and efforts of the Siddhagiri Gurukul Foundation.

Sprawling over 7 acres, the museum is surrounded by lush greenery and countryside locales. Every aspect of village life has been depicted in almost 80 scenes that showcase more than 300 statues. Each sculpture is lifelike and represents activities performed in daily village life such as agricultural practice, local cops, the temple priest, cow herder, shopkeeper, grocer, tailor, school teacher, etc. The other scenes like people shopping, woman knitting sweater, villagers participating in the prayers and celebrating festivals together, etc. There were 12 Balutedars (essentially artisan castes), and 18 Alutedars who provided equipment to carry out domestic and professional tasks.

The museum has an old Shiva temple on the grounds. The temple includes 125 feet (38 m)-deep well, a 42 feet (13 m) Shiva idol, and a large Nandi bull. For tourists, there are restaurants on the premise of the museum that offers good quality food. There is a beautiful play-garden especially landscaped for children that also offers mini-train rides.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM

Entry: Rs 100 for Person