Government Museum Chennai

The state run Government Museum Chennai, located in Egmore, is spread over an area of 16 acres with 6 independent buildings. Out of the 46 galleries, the Bronze and the National Art Galleries are worth a visit.

Bronze Gallery

This gallery has a fabulous collection of about 1500 objects – 85 Buddhist, 25 Jain and the rest Hindu. The collection includes specimens from various periods of history ranging from the early centuries of the Christian era to recent times.

Bronze Gallery

Sukhasana is derived from sanskrit – sukha (easy), asana (pose). This pose is practised in yoga.

Sukhasana (Thanjavur District, 10th Century AD)

Dakshinamurti literally means ‘one who is facing south’. South is considered to be the direction of Death. All Shiva temples have an image of Dakshinamurthy along the Parikrama.

Veenadhara Dakshinamurti (Thanjavur District, 10th Century AD)

Kamakshi is one of avatars of Parvati. Shiva fell in love with Parvati when she was in this avatar. Hence the name ‘Siva Kama Sundari’.

Sivakamasundari (Avanamparittiyur, Thanjavur District, 12th Century AD)

Kaliyakrishna (Nagapattimam, 16th Century AD)

Nataraja is an avatar of Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy the universe so that Brahma could start the process of recreation.

Nataraja (Kanchipuram, 9th Century AD)