Sudarshan Crafts Museum is a well-known tourist attraction in Puri, Odisha. The museum, founded by sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo, houses a magnificent collection of sculptures, handicraft items, stone and wood carvings, fiberglass, and paintings. Sudarshan Sahoo received India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2021, and the fourth-highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri, in 1988.
The museum is a must-see for art connoisseurs, who will find it extremely enriching to see the rare artworks on display, which beautifully represent the country’s tradition and culture. The museum also serves as a venue for aspiring artists to showcase their work to the world.
History of Sudarshan Crafts Museum Puri
Sudarshan Sahoo, a non-traditional sculptor, is well-known in India for his significant contribution to sculpture art. At his ancestral home in Puri, he first practiced the art form on wood and stone. He decided to set up a workshop and a showroom where artists could create their artwork and display it for art lovers after traveling the length and breadth of India and understanding the various facets of sculpture art of different regions.
In 1977, he and other contemporary artists founded this museum, which has helped many artists become established sculptors. For many years, the museum has been exporting handicrafts outside of India and has been supported and recognized by the government.
Architecture of Sudarshan Crafts Museum Puri
The Buddhist temple housed within the museum is a major draw. This temple, built in Japanese architectural style, serves as an artists’ craft center. On the premises, in addition to the temple, there is a library, workshop, and showroom, as well as training and residential facilities.
Things to do in Sudarshan Crafts Museum Puri
Exploring this one-of-a-kind museum can be a wonderful experience, especially for those who are interested in various types of art. The museum’s wooden artifacts and sculptures, carved-out stones, paintings, and handicraft items are worth seeing. The museum also sells stone carvings and metal figurines to those who are interested.
Aside from this unique museum, there are numerous other places to visit in the holy city of Puri. The Jagannath Temple, Puri Beach, Swargadwar Beach, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Gundicha Temple, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum are among these attractions.
Sudarshan Crafts Museum Puri Timings and Entry Fee
The museum visiting fee is Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 50 for foreign nationals. The museum is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How to reach Sudarshan Crafts Museum Puri
The Sudarshan Crafts Museum is only 400 meters away from the Puri Railway Station. The Puri Bus Stand, on the other hand, is about 1.4 kilometers away from the museum. The nearest airport to the museum is the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, which is about 59 kilometers away. Tourists arriving in Bhubaneswar can either hire a private taxi from the list of best car rental companies in Bhubaneswar or board a train or bus to reach Puri in an hour. To get around the city, private taxis, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and battery-powered rickshaws are available.
Tourist Facilities, Transportation, Tourist Attractions, How to Reach, Accessibility
Sudarshan Crafts Museum Puri Entry Fee
Entry Fee: Rs 5 per person for Indians & 50 per person for Foreigners.
Closest Bus Stand & Distance Sudarshan Art and Crafts
The Closest Bus stand is Rourkela, which is located around 1.5 km from Sudarshan Art and Crafts
Closest Railway Station & Distance
The Closest Railway Station is Puri, which is located around 400 m distance from Sudarshan Art and Crafts.
Closest Airport & Distance
The Closest airport to the museum is the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, which is approximately 59 km away.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sudarshan Art and Crafts is at all times of the year.
Opening Time
Sudarshan Art and Crafts’s opening time is Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 pm, and from 2 PM to 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday are Closed
