MUSEUM OF

HINDUISM
BACKGROUND

Hinduism in its earlier stages of development exerted influence on the

civilizations of Southeast Asia and contributed generously to the development of a
religion and cultural tradition in that area. Beginning in the first half of the 1st
millennium CE, many of the early kingdoms in Southeast Asia and India adopted and
adapted specific Hindu texts, theologies, rituals, architectural styles, and forms of
social organization. The medieval period was characterized by the growth of new
devotional religious movements (4th to 11th century). The devotional cults
weakened Buddhism, which had long been on the decline. The
philosophers Kumarila and Shankara strongly opposed Budhism and through frequent
debates ousted Budhism from India.

The advent of Islam in India began at the end of the 12th century and the attitude of
the Muslim rulers toward Hinduism varied across different provinces of the Nation.
From the Gupta period onward, Hindu temples became larger and more prominent,
and their architecture developed in distinctive regional styles. By the end of the 1st
millennium CE the south Indian style had reached its apogee in the great
Brihadeshwara temple of Thanjavur (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The poets and saints
of medieval bhakti appeared throughout India. From their small coastal settlements in
southern India, the Portuguese promoted Roman Catholic missionary activity and
made converts, most of whom were of low caste; the majority of caste Hindus
remained unaffected in the 19th century. The era witnessed stalwarts like Sree
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Shri Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi,
Rabindra Nath Tagore and Swami Sivananda helped the religion cross borders and
create some influence in the West.

The post Independence Era has shown varying changes in the adoption and practice of
Hinduism. The social structure of traditional Hinduism is changing rapidly in the
cities. A declining interest in practicing the religion among the Hindus itself is
visible. A vast majority of the youth today in India has less awareness of the history,
importance, rituals, beliefs, practices and the religious texts of Hinduism.  The
younger generation find it difficult to believe many of the concepts and are thus
unable to create and influence in the presentation and growth of the religion. Thus,
new enterprising projects are to be thought of in view of preserving and presenting
this great religion with substantiated scientific thoughts (which already exists in the
religious texts) to the world. In is in this context that a technologically supported
Museum for projecting and proliferating the Hindu religion, its thoughts and texts is
proposed.

THE CONCEPT

A religious society needs diversity of methods for popularizing religion and,

therefore, establishing a Religious Museum is a practical requirement for this era.
Museums play a crucial role
in preserving religion and
local culture. With careful
documentation and artefact
preservation, a belief system
and culture can be
remembered regardless of
its future. A museum of
religion must be different from traditional static displays of cultural artefacts. The
museum will be equipped with all modern technology and facilities available and the
most essential components in the museum should create dialogue and interaction with
the audience, providing real-life experiences rather than being a conventional one. The
museum will meet the requirements of every category of visit on the basis of
individual needs and experiences. The development of museum will focus on four
main areas: technology, information, social education and leisure.

The younger generation will not be interested in antiquated cultural artefacts. The
artefacts presented with the help of modern technology can support and enrich the
needs and ideas of the present generation visitors and thus will attract a large mass of
pilgrims, researchers, tourists etc. Thus technology can help them to attain a feeling of
inner balance, and allow the visitors to get acquainted with the religion and to
recognize the universal truth, core and self of Hinduism to gain an outlook.

The Museum

The Religious Museum proposed to be set up will focus on Hinduism as its

core theme and will present to the visitors the Origin, Development, Religious points
of view, its religious texts, its Gods, its Culture, its Diversities, Myths, Influences in
the Society, its Proponents, its Relevance in the modern lifestyle and its future. The
museum will be technologically supported which is intended to generate interest in
anyone who visits.

COMPONENTS OF THE MUSEUM

1. CENTRAL MONITORING COMPLEX

Vehicular circulation throughout the property would be limited to parking areas from
the ingress and egress points. The total number of parking areas for the development
of the centre is limited by the conditions set forth in the easement with regard to size,
configuration and total acreage. Where hard surfaces are required, to the extent
possible, they will be pervious to the soil.

The components of this centre are listed as under:

 Administrative Block
 Communication Block
 Information Centre
 User friendly touch screen
 Interpretation Centre
  Book Stall
 Cafeteria
 Souvenir Shop / Gift Boutique
 Parking area
 Comfort Station
 Safety and Security Measures
 Internet and Wifi

2. Religious and Cultural Exhibits Room

Exhibits showcasing the history, tradition, culture, religious development and

related equipments etc would be presented here. Ipads across different galleries that
contain multimedia content to support the exhibits would be provided.

3. Virtual Reality

Museum exhibits are getting evermore technologically advanced and virtual

reality is one of the latest trends. The computer generated interactive experiences are
said to be able to “transcend physical locations”. Museum visitors are able to make
choices during their virtual travel enabling them to feel a sense of exploration –
triggering curiosity and the desire to learn. Most virtual reality exhibits cater to both
the visual and aural senses. Such exhibits can be quite awe inspiring as visualizations
are getting increasingly detailed. By using both head-worn and hand-held devices,
visitors are able to interact with the simulation in a variety of new ways.

4. Augmented Reality

Museums and curators are already full of knowledge, and of the desire to engage
people in a dialogue. Augmented reality is another tool that can communicate this
knowledge. It invites visitors to find out more. Statues that come to life can help
visitors understand new concepts. AR can even help contextualise history by blending
the old and the new. For example, it can show historical scenes superimposed onto
modern ones. This technology can capture people’s attention and keep their focus on
exhibitions for longer. 

5. Visitor Guide App

Visitor Guide App with trigger content (when users come within a specified radius
of a GPS hot spot, or led modules) will be developed. This app in the mobile phone
will provide descriptions about the facilities and artefacts and will guide the visitor to
the respective locations.

6. Special Effects Theatre

A special effects theatre (dome shaped) would be set up in order to showcase the
various aspects of religion would be set up. Videos on Hindusim, its religious texts,
its Gods, its Culture, its Diversities, Myths, its Proponents, its Relevance in the
modern lifestyle etc would be played. This would be a fully sound proof room and
will have first class audio (Atmos and above) and video (IMAX and above)
equipments. The room would have class furniture.

7. Koothambalam model performance arena

Koothambalam meaning temple theatre is a closed hall for staging Koothu,

Nangiar koothu and Koodiyattam, the ancient ritualistic art forms of Kerala, India.
Koothambalams are said to be constructed according to the guide lines given in the
chapter 2 of Nātyasāstra of Bharata Muni. The hall is usually about 16 metre long and
12 metre wide. It has a 4-metre square platform supported by pillars in the centre. The
stage within the hall is considered to be as sacred as the temple sanctum. It is
constructed within the cloister of the Temple; more precisely within the pancaprakaras
of the temple. A square platform with a separate pyramidal roof supported by pillars
in the center called natyamandapam is constructed as s separate structure within the
large hall of Koothampalam. The floor of the hall is divided into two equal halves and
one part is for performance (including stage, instruments, green room etc.) and other
half for seating audience. Provisions for veda learning would also be provided here.

8. Religious Research Room

One of the rooms would be a fully furnished reading and research room with all
necessary facilities specially desinged to cater to the needs of religious research.

9. Speakers Platform

Here the visitor can experience a presentation from a dynamic speaker, or even a
live drama on religion during his visit. The visitor, from his speaker can learn and
comprehend the religion.

10. Sacred Grove

A portion of the land would be converted as a sacred grove with creepers and
herbs and would be a mini ecosystem. The museum will try to push the parameters of
museum experience to its purest extreme, creating a naturally regenerative
environment where the conception of time and space seems to be suspended in the
flow of traditional religious life.

RELEVANCE

Will draw more diverse audience

Will enrich the youth and attract them towards the religion
Will provide a scientific platform to the religion
Will be an organized and disciplined platform to present religion