Bapu Museum with AR & VR Technology in Vijayawada

Bapu Museum previously known as Victoria Jubilee Museum is located near Sub Collector’s Office, Bandar Road, Vijayawada Town. The Museum Building was constructed in ashlar masonry, a classic example of the Indo-European architectural style. The foundation stone for the building was laid by Robert Sewell, the then District Collector, Krishna on June 27th 1887, to mark the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Queen Victoria’s coronation. The building was constructed to house the industrial exhibition.

Later it came under the control of the Zamindars of Nuzividu, District Board, Krishna and Zilla Parishad of Krishna. In the year 1962 the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh took over the building and established an Archaeological Museum and named as Victoria Jubilee Museum. In 2015 the museum was renamed as Bapu Museum in memory of Sri Sattiraju Laxminarayana, the great Film Director, Cartoonist, Painter and Author.

In 1921, the All India Congress Committee met here, when Sri Pingali Venkayya of Munagala Samsthana presented the tri-colour flag to Mahatma Gandhi in the presence of other great National Leaders like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhai Patel, Lala Lajapati Roy, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu etc. To this tri-colour flag Mahatma Gandhi added the Chakra (Wheel) symbol and declared it as the Indian National Congress Flag which was declared as the Indian National Flag by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947.

The Museum showcases South Asian, Far Eastern and Western collections from prehistoric to the 20th century in different media and forms. The Museum contains more than 1230 artefacts. These artefacts range from prehistoric period to modern times. The artefacts include Terracotta objects, pottery and ceramic objects, sculptures, Bronzes, Paintings, wood carvings, prehistoric, proto-historic and historic period tools and objects, Arms and weapons, inscriptions etc.,

Bapu Museum is now renovated with an ultra-modern ambience that provides visitors with a mesmerising experience. The Andhra Pradesh State Department of Archaeology and Museum takes the exhibits at Bapu Museum to a whole new dimension using Augmented Reality technology, giving the visitor a unique glimpse into the significant past. The Bapu Museum with AR and VR technology in Vijayawada engages and educates visitors through an exciting virtual tour where the exhibits narrate about the historical moments in an engaging manner. Visitors will have to download the Bapu Museum AR app on their Smartphones to discover interesting facts of the collection present at the museum.

The important collections of the museum are the lime stone Buddha sculpture from Nelakondapalle, 3rd Century A.D., lime stone Plaque of Mother Goddess 2nd Century A.D Mahishasura Mardhani and Panchayathana Cult 5th Century A.D the bronzes of Tara, Veerabhadra, European paintings particularly the portrait of Queen Victoria (1877) and others.

Visitor Facilities : Clean, cool drinking water and good toilets are provided. Seating arrangements have been provided in the garden.
Timings : The Museum is open from 10.30 AM to 5.00 PM and closed on Fridays and Public Holidays.
Entry Fee : Rs.50/- for adults and Rs.30/- for children.

MAILING ADDRESS

Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Archaeology & Museums,
Government of Andhra Pradesh
Bapu Museum,M.G. Road, Vijayawada (Urban),
Pin Code: 520002.

Phone #: 0866-2577986.
Email: diraparch@gmail.com

Call or submit for any comments or feedback. We look forward to serving you!