New state museum in Panchkula promises to unite past with future

A state-of-the-art museum showcasing Haryanas’ rich heritage in a seven-floor facility at Sector 5 will be the latest edition to the city’s map of cultural landmarks.

The museum, expected to open in a year, promises to offer a blend of traditional exhibits and advanced technology to create an immersive experience for visitors. The top two floors will also accommodate the Haryana Archaeology Department office, currently located in Sector 10, Chandigarh.

The Public Works Department (PWD) is overseeing the building’s construction, which began in 2021, with exterior work nearly complete. Internal fittings, including electrical installations, are now underway.

Tagbin, known for projects like the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, Netaji Hologram Statue, and G20 Digital Experience Centre, will be designing the museum’s galleries. The expertise in integrating history with hi-tech visual and audio elements is being to tipped bringing Haryana’s past to life.

The first three floors will house 9 to 12 galleries, chronicling Haryana’s journey through pre-historic, proto-historic (Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation), early historic, medieval, colonial, and modern periods. The exhibits will include terracotta figurines from major archaeological sites such as Rakhigarhi, Agroha, Sugh, Karsola, and Kunal, along with stone sculptures and coins from the Kushan and Sultanate periods discovered in Karnal, Rewari, and Bhiwani.

“A key highlight will be interactive displays featuring augmented and virtual reality experiences, recreated excavation trenches, and large-scale replicas of monuments. Every gallery will include at least one digital screen for documentaries and interactive storytelling, offering a rich educational experience,” said Banani Bhattacharya, Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana.

One of the floor will house a theatrical studio dedicated to immersive AR/VR exhibits and documentary screenings on Haryana’s cultural and architectural legacy. Visitors will also get an exclusive look at the Rakhigarhi skeletons, one of the region’s most significant archaeological discoveries.

Beyond exhibits, the museum will have other draws including a cafe, a kids’ area, a souvenir shop and a conference hall.