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The only hill station in western and central India -
Mount Abu has been a centre of cultural
activity since the prehistoric period. It was the capital of the Parmars
in 13th century AD and later on came under the Chauhans.
The
museum was set up in 1962 within the premises of Raj Bhawan to preserve
the archaeological wealth of the region.
The first section has been adorned by a diorama of local tribal hut with
their usual living style by adding a gallery of weapons, musical
instruments, ladies ornaments like 'barly', 'damani', 'karna', 'guthma
toda', 'gaga wala thoomar', 'kanksi berla' and various types of earrings
and garments etc. belonging to hill dwellers.
The second section has a series of miniature paintings based on
raga-raginis, lain images from Sirohi, medium sized shields, a small canon
called 'Topdi' and some pieces of carvings on local wood.
The notable collection of this museum, is the finely carved out statues
of Devdasi or Nartakis (Dancer) ranging from 6th century
AD to 12th century AD procured from an ancient township called
Chandravati, 7 kms away from Abu. There is an image of the Chakrabahu
Shiva having a 'trishul' (trident) in one hand and a 'khadag' in the
other and sitting on Nandi, the bull. On each side of Shiva are
dancing girls.
In the Abu collection consisting of 404 sculptures, the most distinctive
exhibit is the Vish Kanya (snake goddess), which is 3 feet high.
It is shown breast-feeding a snake. The figures are well executed and the
attitudes are impressive and natural. It also has the Surya (8th
century AD) found in Achalgarh, the Shiva (10th century AD) brought from
Dilwara temple, the Chanvar Vahini and Laxmi (12th century
AD) also from Chandravati and Chanmunda (8th century A D).
The Sculpture Gallery has some memorial inscriptions collected from
nearby areas e.g. Chapa's inscription, (local heroine of
Achalgarh).
Timing : 10.00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.