Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum is a unit of National Council of Science Museums which is an autonomous organization controlled by Government of India under Ministry of Culture. The management of this building is done under National Council of Science Museums (NSCM), a government organization.

This museum was instituted as a part of centenary celebrations of engineer-statesman Sir M. Visvesvaraya (1861-1962). During 1962 it was then passed over to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum was seen as a part of southern headquarters of National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) during its formation in 1978. The council holds a wide chain of 28 centers that are located across India. The Council holds various interactive exhibits for popularizing science.

History

Various prominent industrialists that were around 1960, acted on the idea of formation of an industrial museum and Visvesvaraya Industrial Museum society was found. The construction of a building of around 40,000 sq.ft area took place at Cubbon Park and was financially supported through various industrialists and State and Indian Government. The inauguration of museum took place on 1962 by late Prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The first gallery focusing at "Electro Technic" was made available to public exhibition on July 27th, 1965.

An autonomous society, National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) was formed and controlled under Department of Culture, under the Government of India.

Different Sections in Museum

When took in its classical sense, Visvesvaraya Museum cannot be called a 'museum', due to its various interactive exhibits instead of various stationary models found in a museum. Moreover, it can be defined as a & Science Centre.

Every floor of the museum has shown its dedication towards a scientific discipline. Various exhibits in here are more focusing over scientific culture such as in the 'Engine Hall' engines of numerous machines, automobiles that were of industrial use, a jet craft engine, and various other devices of mechanical nature are displayed. The mechanical precision and predictability is demonstrated through various rolling balls that can be seen travelling endlessly over metal tracks. Watching the balls rolling over roller coaster is delightful, looping on a loop and then bouncing over getting caught inside a basket. This exhibit convincingly explains the conservation of energy principle. Inside the 'Electro Technic Gallery' various interactiveelectronic displays can be found that work on basic electricity principles, communication and electronics. On 8th April 2010 the renovated version to Electro Technic gallery was opened for public exhibition. This gallery displays various classical experiments such as Faraday's ring, Oersted's experiment, Barlow's wheel, etc. A simple demonstration of electrostatics, that include Van de Graaff generator, Testa coil etc is amazing. All the basic and advanced level students of electricity must make a visit to this place and also those who are get attracted through electricity wonders. One great thing for students can be the 'Fun Science Gallery' which displays various exhibits on science of optics, math, fluids, perception and sound. This exhibition is one of its kind that fills itself with a lot of fun and people throng every exhibit in massive numbers for continuation of operations. The history of space exploration and science of rocket can be explained in the the 'Space Gallery'. The second floor in the Visvesvaraya Museum has a Biotechnology hall that exhibits various basics and important applications of Biotechnology. One fascinating thing that can be found is a replica of Spinosaurus in motion in the 'Dinosaur alive'. Various other interesting displays on Electronics can be found in the 'BEL Hall of Electronics'. Children can engage themselves in various scientific activities and enjoy science in a gallery called & Science for Children. It has a huge piano over which children can play music by dancing over it. Children can make impressions of their body parts with the help of a pin-wall. A virtual game area is also present, children can entertain themselves by playing music using various virtual musical instruments. Visitors to the gallery are welcomed through an eye-catching mural that is made from colored beads. A mini-planetarium show named 'Taramandal' is conducted by the museum during regular intervals. In addition to the Smithsonian Institution's of the US, this is the only museum over the world where a whole scale replica of 1903 Wright brothers flyer can be found.

Activities

Activities for the Visitors

Activities for Students

Activities for Teachers

Collections

Various other artifacts can be found in the museum that is related to transportation, Engines, aviation, telecommunication, computational devices, rockets etc.

Facilities

A newly launched 3D theater is open for public that uses technology from LightSpeed, USA. Various interesting films are screened which focus on brain and deep sea diving. 3D effects in the film are spectacular.

Convention Centre Facilities

The Auditorium inside the museum has a seating capacity of 150 seats and is used for holding workshops, seminars, exhibitions, conferences etc. educational and scientific programmes related.

How to Reach

The museum has its location at the Kasturba Road in sylvan surroundings of Cubbon Park and is fully surrounded through stately buildings like High court, Vidhan Soudha etc. It is at a distance of just 5 kms from main city bus and railway station.

Bus Routes

23 and 37 Pushpak 150, 154, 155, 291, 293, 294C and 408

Timings and Ticket Prices

Hours of exhibition: 10 am - 6 pm.

Open for all days of year (Except Deepavali and Ganesha Chaturthi)

Admission Charges

Organized Groups/Students: Rs 10/-

General Visitors: Rs 20/-

Taramandal Show: Rs 5/-

3D Film Show: Rs 10/ for school groups, Rs 20/- for general visitors

Museum entry is free to army, air-force, navy and police personnel in uniform, physically challenged and kids less than 5 years of age.

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