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Nalanda Museum
established
in
the
year
1917
is
one
of
the
most
prestigious
site-museums
of
Archaeological
Survey
of
India.
It
houses
antiquities
found
from
the
excavated
site
of
Nalanda
Mahavihara
supposedly
the
earliest
university
cum
monastery
complex
which
flourished
during
5th
–
12th
centuries
of
Christian
era
under
the
patronage
of
Gupta,
Maukhari
and
Pala
rulers.
Later
on
few
object
collected
from
the
neighbouring
villages
of
Nalanda
and
few
from
Rajgir
too
were
added
to
the
treasures
of
this
museum.
There
about
350
artifacts
at
display
whereas
more
than
thirteen
thousand
are
kept
in
the
reserve
collection.
Display
includes
stone
images
and
sculptures,
bronzes,
stuccos,
terracottas,
inscription,
iron
objects,
ivory
&
bone
objects
and
potteries
etc.
arranged
in
four
galleries
and
the
main
hall.
The
main
hall
exhibits
master
pieces
of
stone
and
two
huge
earthen
storage
jars.
Twelve
handed
Bodhisattva
Avalokitesvara,
about
two
meters
high
image
of
Samantabhadra,
Nagaraj
with
seven
serpent
hood
canopy,
a
colossal
image
of
Buddha
seated
in
dharmachakra
mudra,
a
tantric
deity
Trailokyavijya
trampling
Shiva-Gauri,
and
Buddha
seated
in
bhumisparsa
mudra
are
worth
mentioning
specimens
in
this
hall.
The
central
space
of
the
hall
has
been
occupied
by
a
scale
model
of
the
excavated
site
in
a
table
showcase.
ABOUT
GALLERY
NO.
1
Nalanda
Gallery
No.
01
exhibits
stone
images
and
sculptures
of
Buddhist,
Jaina
and
Brahmanical
faiths
through
wall
showcases
and
pedestals.
Khasarpana
Avalokitesvara,
tantric
deity
Heruka
trampling
Shiva,
Aparajita
trampling
Ganesa,
six
headed
Yamantaka,
Marichi
riding
on
chariot
driven
by
seven
pigs
and
a
panel
showing
eight
scenes
of
Buddha’s
life
are
significant
enough
among
Buddhist
specimens
whereas
Shiva-Parvati,
a
bifacial
panel
showing
Shiva
Parvati
&
Kuber,
Vishnu,
Lakshmi
and
Revanta
are
Brahmanical
highlights.
Jaina
images
include
Parsvanath
and
Rishbhnath,
mounted
on
wooden
pedestals
shown
in
dhyana
&
kayotsarga
postures
respectively.
ABOUT
GALLERY
NO.
2
Gallery
No.
2
is
miscellaneous
minor
objects
found
during
excavations
such
as
seal-sealings,
terracottas,
brick-tiles,
stucco
objects,
ivory
and
bone
objects
and
iron
implements
etc.
have
been
displayed
in
Gallery
No.2.
Terracotta
seal
with
legend
“sri
nalanda
mahaviha
riyarya
bhikshu
sanghasya”,
decorative
swastika
tile,
iron
padlock,
terracotta
tablet
with
pratitya
samutpads
sutta,
sample
of
charred
rice,
stucco
head
of
Buddha
&
Bodhisattva
and
a
multi
spouted
pot
found
from
Rajgir
are
noteworthy
specimens
in
this
gallery.
ABOUT
GALLERY
NO.
3
Gallery
No.
03
is
meant
exclusively
for
the
bronzes
of
Nalanda.
Besides
Buddhist
sculptures
such
as
Buddha
in
abhaya,
varada
&
bhumisparsa
mudra,
Prajnaparmita,
Tara,
Loknath
and
many
others,
some
Brahmanical
deities
like
Vishnu,
Ganesa,
Surya,
Kamadeva
too
have
been
displayed.
The
objects
of
day
to
day
use
like
scepter,
quiver,
waist-band
etc
and
some
miniature
stupas
&
temples
of
architectural
interest
have
also
been
displayed
in
independent
show
cases.
ABOUT
GALLERY
NO.
4
Gallery
No.
04
exhibits
stone
images
of
Buddhist
interest
like
important
events
of
Buddha’s
life,
Padmapani,
Vajrapani,
Tara,
Marichi,
Jambhala
and
two
miniature
temples.
Two
panels
depicting
Kinnaras
worshipping
Kalpavriksha
and
stone
inscriptions
of
Purnavarman,
Yasovarmadeva
&
Vipulsrimitra
are
the
special
attraction
of
this
gallery.
"The
Archaeological
Site
of
Nalanda
Mahavihara
(Nalanda
University)
is
included
among
the
world
heritage
list
of
UNESCO
(2016)."
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