Regional
MP to develop Chhatrasal museum as tourist site

Bhopal (PTI): The Madhya Pradesh government has submitted a proposal before the Centre for developing the famous Maharaja Chhatrasal museum in Chhatrapur district as a "complete destination venue for tourists".

Minister of State for Tourism, Tukojirao Puar, has forwarded the proposal envisaging renovation of Dhubela-based historical museum building and its approach road, beautification of museum premises and improvement of Dhubela Palace, Hriday Shah Palace and Maqbara (mausoleum) premises at a cost of Rs five crore, official sources said.

The proposal also includes introduction of limited-scale boating in water reservoir situated behind Dhubela Palace, they said, adding proposals for illuminating all important monuments in the state have also been forwarded by the state tourism ministry to the Union government.

Maharaja Chhatrasal museum is the biggest in Vindhya region, which was inaugurated by former Prime Minister late Pt Jawaharlal Nehru at Dhubela Royal Palace in September, 1955.

The museum houses a unique and unparalleled collection of yogini statues of stone age. Run by the archeology department, the museum in itself is a record of archives.

It has a vast and rare collection of paintings, arms and weaponry, inscribed stones and Jain idols. One of its galleries is devoted to mirrors of various kinds and designs.

The exhibits at the museum also include inscribed stone plaques, copper plaques, statues of Jain tirthankars and idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.

The articles preserved at the museum date back from 4th century AD to 16th century. Most the statues and idols housed in the museum date back to 10th and 12th centuries AD.

Regional

---

---