If you are an ardent art and culture lover, then your Dharmasthala trip would remain incomplete without a visit to the Manjusha Museum.
The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts belonging to the glorious past of Dharmasthala’s rich cultural legacy.
Right from coins belonging to the 1st century BC to ancient manuscripts and extinct forms of musical instruments, the amazing collection of articles are sure to take your breath away. Among the most prized possessions, there are terracotta coins from the Mauryan period and a 300+ years old Veena. Add to that the 600 odd manuscripts written on palm leaves dating back to almost 500-1000 years. Besides, the museum also serves as the home to a wide variety of stone and metal sculptures, paintings, decorated jewellery and objects of great religious values – a testimony to the craftsmanship of the coastal Karnataka region.
Another unique and interesting feature of this museum is the vehicles section which displays vintage and classic cars from the era gone by. The collection of cars, coaches and carts is simply mindblowing and can get the adrenaline running in any automobile enthusiast.
Among them is a 1903 Renault powered by Type D, De Dion Bouton engine. Once owned by the Maharaja of Bikaner, it is considered as one of the oldest running vintage cars in India. Other noteworthy mentions include the likes of 1920 Fordson Tractor, 1924 Rolls Royce, 1925 Fiat, 1925 Daimler Benz, 1926 Merry Weather Fire Brigade and the renowned 1929 Studebaker President which was famously used by Mahatma Gandhi ji during his tour of Karnataka and Tamilnadu in 1929. Sounds an irresistible prospect? By staying at Hotel Sri Ram Residency, which is located at a distance of less than 5 KM, you can cover this place in your Dharmasthala itinerary quite conveniently.
