Prabhas Patan Museum is a historical and cultural destination for anyone who loves history, art, and culture. The museum is located near Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India. It is a museum that displays various artifacts and relics related to the history and culture of Somnath and Gujarat. The museum is also a popular tourist attraction, offering an informative and interesting experience for visitors. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to plan your visit to Prabhas Patan Museum, including the location, timing, entry fees, how to reach, things to do, nearby tourist places, significance, FAQs, and conclusion. Visit during One day Somnath Sightseeing Trip By Private cab
Location of Prabhas Patan Museum
Prabhas Patan Museum is situated near Somnath Temple, about 500 meters from the temple. The museum is in a building that has a dome and a tower.
Timing / Entry Fees Prabhas Patan Museum
The museum is open to visitors from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Mondays. The entry fee for the museum is Rs. 10 per person.
How to Reach Prabhas Patan Museum
The nearest airport to Prabhas Patan Museum is Diu Airport, which is about 85 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Somnath Temple and then walk to Prabhas Patan Museum. The taxi fare is around Rs. 1500 and the bus fare is around Rs. 100.
The nearest railway station to Prabhas Patan Museum is Veraval Railway Station, which is about 7 km away. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi to Somnath Temple and then walk to Prabhas Patan Museum. The bus fare is around Rs. 20 and the taxi fare is around Rs. 100.
You can also drive to Prabhas Patan Museum from nearby cities such as Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, etc. The road distance from Rajkot is about 190 km, from Ahmedabad is about 410 km, and from Surat is about 530 km.
Things to Do / Must See Prabhas Patan Museum
The main attraction of Prabhas Patan Museum is the museum itself, which offers an informative and interesting view and experience for visitors. You can see various artifacts and relics related to the history and culture of Somnath and Gujarat in the museum. The museum has various sections such as:
- Sculpture Gallery: This section displays various sculptures made of stone, metal, wood, etc. that belong to different periods and styles such as Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Islamic, etc. Some of the sculptures are of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, etc.
- Inscription Gallery: This section displays various inscriptions written in different languages and scripts such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Arabic, Persian, etc. that belong to different periods and rulers such as Chandragupta Maurya, Harshavardhana, Mahmud of Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, Aurangzeb, etc. Some of the inscriptions are related to the history and legend of Somnath Temple.
- Painting Gallery: This section displays various paintings made of different materials and techniques such as oil painting, watercolor painting, miniature painting, etc. that belong to different schools and styles such as Mughal painting, Rajasthani painting, Pahari painting, etc. Some of the paintings are of Lord Krishna, Radha Krishna Leela,
- Manuscript Gallery: This section displays various manuscripts written in different languages and scripts such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Arabic, Persian, etc. that belong to different subjects and genres such as Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, etc. Some of the manuscripts are rare and valuable such as the Somnath Mahatmya and the Somnath Patan Prabandha.
- Coin Gallery: This section displays various coins made of different metals and shapes such as gold, silver, copper, round, square, etc. that belong to different periods and rulers such as Chandragupta Maurya, Harshavardhana, Mahmud of Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, Aurangzeb, etc. Some of the coins are related to the history and legend of Somnath Temple.
Apart from visiting the museum, you can also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the place, which is surrounded by greenery and water. You can see the Somnath Temple and the Somnath Sarovar from the museum and hear the sound of bells and chants.
Nearby Tourist Places of Prabhas Patan Museum
Prabhas Patan Museum is not only a historical and cultural destination but also a convenient base for exploring other nearby tourist places such as:
- Somnath Temple: Somnath Temple is one of the most sacred and ancient temples of Lord Shiva in India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and has a rich history and legend associated with it. The temple is also an architectural marvel that showcases various styles and influences over time. The temple is open from 6 am to 9 pm on all days and has an entry fee of Rs. 5 per person.
- Gita Mandir: Gita Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita, which is one of the most sacred and influential scriptures in Hinduism. The temple has 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita inscribed on its walls in Sanskrit. The temple also has a statue of Lord Krishna and his charioteer Arjuna in front of the temple.
- Triveni Sangam: Triveni Sangam is the confluence of three rivers – Saraswati, Kapila, and Hiran – near Somnath Temple. It is a holy place where many pilgrims come to take a dip in the water and seek blessings. It is also a scenic place where you can see the different colors of water merging together.
- Bhalka Tirth: Bhalka Tirth is the place where Lord Krishna was shot by a hunter named Jara and left his mortal body. The place has a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna that marks the spot where he was shot. The place is also a peaceful and pleasant place where you can see the Hiran River and the greenery around it.
Significance of Prabhas Patan Museum
Prabhas Patan Museum is not only a historical and cultural destination but also a significant and meaningful site that has many values and meanings for the people and the environment of Gujarat. Some of the values of the museum are:
- Historical: The museum is a historical place that displays various artifacts and relics related to the history and culture of Somnath and Gujarat. The museum showcases the rich heritage and legacy of Somnath and Gujarat that span across different periods and rulers such as Chandragupta Maurya, Harshavardhana, Mahmud of Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, Aurangzeb, etc.
- Cultural: The museum is a cultural place that showcases the art and architecture of Gujarat and India. The museum showcases the skill and craftsmanship of the local artisans who created various sculptures, inscriptions, paintings, manuscripts, coins, etc. The museum also showcases the language and literature of Gujarat and India that are reflected in various scripts such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Arabic, Persian, etc.
- Educational: The museum is an educational place that provides information and awareness about Hinduism and Indian culture. The museum provides an insight into various aspects of Hinduism such as Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, etc. The museum also provides an insight into various aspects of Indian culture such as art, architecture, language, literature, etc.
FAQs
How long does it take to explore Prabhas Patan Museum?
It takes about two hours to explore Prabhas Patan Museum thoroughly. You will need some time to walk from Somnath Temple to the museum and back. You will also need some time to visit the museum and enjoy the surroundings.
Is there any facility for food and water near Prabhas Patan Museum?
There are some small shops near Somnath Temple that sell snacks and water bottles. You can also find some restaurants near Somnath Temple that serve local cuisine such as dhokla, khaman, fafda, etc.
Is there any accommodation near Prabhas Patan Museum?
There are some hotels and guest houses near Somnath Temple that offer comfortable accommodation for visitors. Some of them are Hotel Somnath Atithigruh, Hotel Shivam, Hotel Shubh Suvidha, and Hotel Sun Plaza.
Conclusion
Prabhas Patan Museum is a historical and cultural destination for anyone who loves history, art, and culture. The museum offers an informative and interesting view and experience for visitors. The museum also has a historical, cultural, and educational significance that adds to its charm and appeal. If you are planning to visit Gujarat, make sure to include Prabhas Patan Museum in your itinerary. You will not regret it!