Following an agreement between the Department of Culture and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday, the Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (also known as the Ramayana Museum) was handed over to the Trust for operation, management, and maintenance; the Trust took over the museum from the previous administration at the Sarayu riverbank in Ayodhya.
A special event was held at the Sant Gadage Ji Maharaj Auditorium in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, to commemorate the occasion.
According to the agreement, the Trust will be responsible for over 1,000 ancient and rare artefacts related to Lord Ram, along with documents related to his birthplace. Documents related to the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in court will also be accessible for future generations under the jurisdiction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The museum will display several significant artefacts, including documents dating back to 1785, showcasing the history and significance of the Ram Janmabhoomi site.
Nripendra Mishra, the Chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, handed over this museum on lease to the Temple Trust under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a special interest in the Janmabhoomi project. The approval for this handover was granted by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet this July.
The Ram Katha Sangrahalaya also houses a collection of historical manuscripts, including items dating back to the Gupta and Shunga periods, as well as ancient sculptures made of blue stone. Additionally, various ancient coins from different time periods are part of the collection, along with several important inscriptions.
The museum also holds sculptures made of gold and silver and includes artefacts related to Luv and Kush. In addition to these artefacts, the museum showcases various items related to Lord Ram from around the world.
The museum was initially established in the Tulsi Smarak Bhawan in Ayodhya and was later relocated to a new building on the banks of the Sarayu River, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹13 crore. The International Ramayana Museum, spread over approximately 2.8 acres, now houses both the artefacts and remains related to Lord Ram found during excavations at the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Trust Secretary Champat Rai on Monday mentioned that items discovered during the excavation of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple site will also be showcased in the museum.
With this transfer, people will have the opportunity to see ancient and rare evidence and artefacts related to Lord Ram at one place. The making of the Ram Katha Museum is in line with the government thinking of celebrating historical figures with the help of new technology to make it more accessible to a new generation of Indians.
For instance, the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in New Delhi curates old videos related to freedom struggle which makes the museum in line with the famous museums of the world. It’s not just a museum but an experience to cherish for a lifetime.