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Museums of Rajasthan

Birla Museum, Pilani

An imposing bronze statue titled Cosmic Man, well maintained lawns and a simle yet elegant structure characterise the Birb Museum, begun more than 30 years ago by the Biria Education Trust. Today this is one of the best science museums in thf country.

Visitors are greeted by the cou, the launching of SLV-3, where the 7.6m high model opens automatically, exposing its interior, while in the Energy Gallery, an electronic eye, operated i photocells, keeps count. The Gallery on transportation has chosen exhibits to explain how man has reduced his travelling time through faster modes of transport. Man's flight into space is represented by satellites revolving around earth, space modules, 'Man lands on the Moon', an imaginary lunar city, Aryabhatta and even a US space shuttle.

A huge diorama depicts a colliery surface. Looking through the dimly lit tunnel into a mine, one sees miners at work. Oxygen pipes and heavy cables hanging from the upper mine surface add to its authenticity. The underground exploration section also houses an assortment of dioramas depicting the marble quarries of Makarana, Koiar Gold Fields, Khetri copper mines and oil drilling operations. A 'lava room' demonstrates bubbling lava within a volcano before eruption.

A few years ago the museum introduced a unique science gallery, Eureka, with animated models which explain simple physical laws and natural phenomena.

The Futuroma Gallery.has videos, computers and other hightech inventions. An exciting feature here is a robot with blinking eyes who talks about electronics as it moves about shaking hands with visitors.

Birla Museum, Pilani Dist.
Jhunjhunu 333031

Timings: Summer: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Winter: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Closed on Mondays.