Trichy to get a new museum

Trichy: The state department of museums has identified five acres of land for a new museum at Panjapur on the Trichy-Madurai National Highway (NH), near the upcoming Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT). A 358-year-old Nayak-era heritage complex near Rockfort, currently housing the museum, may be taken over by the state archaeology department to preserve it as a protected monument.
The present museum, housed in Rani Mangammal Kolu mandapam, commissioned by King Chokkanatha Nayak in 1666, faces several challenges.

It is hindered by its location on Townhall Street, which is narrow and distant from bus stops and railway stations, discouraging regular events for students from schools and colleges. Moreover, the heritage complex, located near commercial streets like Big Bazaar Street and NSB Road, lacks space for expansion. Recognizing these limitations, the state govt has allocated `75 lakh to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the new museum.
The district administration has identified five acres of govt land behind the Panjapur tank for the new museum. Exhibits from the current government museum will be relocated there. The new museum aims to incorporate modern amenities similar to those at the Keeladi Museum near Madurai, including galleries for antiques and archaeological objects.
“The DPR will include all necessary modern facilities for educational and entertainment purposes, and will be completed in a few months,” said an official source from the department of museums. The official added that the recently reinforced Rani Mangammal Hall, which underwent a Rs 3 crore renovation in 2021, will be maintained as a protected monument. A portion of the Nayak-era complex, currently housing the Trichy Fort police station, will be designated as a heritage site by the state archaeology department.
“The new museum is essential for conducting antique exhibitions and workshops, particularly for reading stone inscriptions,” said P Vijayakumar, a Trichy-based antique collector.