Reincarnating Raipur
The 150 years old ‘Mahakoshal Art Gallery located at Ghadi Chowk in Raipur, is a unique piece of architecture and art as well. Eight angles, sharp arches on them, circular windows in the middle of every two angles, and a lattice pattern on them. The outer shape of the building resembles the crown of Britain’s Queen Victoria. According to historians, when this building was built, it was under British rule. In such a situation, the artisans shaped the upper part of the building like a queen’s crown.
This building boasts 150 years of history. The arch is an octagonal white building made of precious stone. This is the first octagonal building in Raipur, and today it is known as the ‘Mahakoshal Art Gallery’. According to historian Dr. Ramendra Nath Mishra, Mahant Ghasidas of Rajnandgaon princely state constructed this building in 1875. It was an armory during the British era, and soon the Archaeological Museum was established here. Historical, scientific, and natural materials obtained from Chhattisgarh and surrounding states are displayed here. At present, the responsibility for its maintenance is with the ‘Mahakoshal Arts Council’.
Historian Dr. Ramkumar Behar shared that this building was constructed in 1875 with the donation of Mahant Ghasidas, the king of Rajnandgaon. And then the archaeological museum was established here, where materials of historical, scientific, and natural importance found in other states besides Chhattisgarh were kept. The walls of the building were made 24 inches thick for safety. In 1965, this building was handed over to the ‘Mahakoshal Arts Council’ after it became a museum in the Culture Department. Since then several art-related activities are happening here.
More than 50 exhibitions ranging from children to big artists are organized in the Mahakashal art gallery throughout the year, which is visited by more than 10,000 people. Here training camps of various genres including painting, rangoli, terracotta, and sculpture making are organized. Before the lockdown, a painting competition was held here every month. The Mahakoshal Art Gallery, built in 1875, has rare works of painting, sculpture, and printing, worth about five crore rupees.
The specialty of the ‘Mahakoshal Art Gallery’ is that it is in octagonal shape and hence is a center of attraction for tourists visiting Raipur. This Art Gallery is open all weekdays except weekends for the time slot of 10 AM to 8 PM. Guides are available for you. You can have a visit here at the cost of Rs 30/- per head.
