National Museum
The National Museum of Nepal located on the way to Swayambhunath
Hill was established in 1928AD as an
arsenal museum in the historical building which was constructed in early 19th
century by General Bhimsen Thapa. The initial name of this museum was Chhauni
Silkhana which literally means "the stone house of arms and
ammunitions". It is most popular museum among the Kathmandu People. It has
become a popular attraction to locals wanting to relive their history, and to
visitors who are interested in Nepals’ past. Nepal’s National Museum is divided
into three main historical collections, each of which is housed in a separate
building.
It was opened as a public museum in the year 1938 by the
then Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher JBR. He not only allowed Nepalese to visit
the museum charging very little but also raised a building for an art museum
and named it after him Juddha Jatiya Kalashala. Until then only foreign
scholars/dignitaries and invitees or guests of the Rana Prime Minister
occasionally could have a glimpse of this wonderful collections. It was only in
the year 1967AD this was named as Rashtriya Sangrahalaya, the National Museum
of Nepal.
In the year 1995 the Japanese Government donated funds to
the National Museum of Nepal to host an exhibit that consists of Buddhist
Religious Art. This exhibit educates the public about the Buddhist religion
through amazing pieces of art, and assists in the research of Buddhism and the
preservation of its associated artifacts.
People who have interest on historical, cultural and religious aspects can look forward to the
doll collection, second century BC coins, stuffed animals and relics from the
devastating 1934 earthquake. Here visitors are able to get a unique insight
into the weaponry of Nepal through the ages. The greatest attraction in this
division is the leather cannon. It originates from the historical Tibetan war
period which took place in 1792.
Opens daily, except for Sunday, Monday and holidays, from 9
am to 5 pm.
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