Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum

The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) is a museum in Bangalore, India. Its management comes under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Government of India. The museum was instituted as part of the centenary celebrations of the engineer-statesman Sir M. Vishvesvaraya (1861-1962). It was handed over to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1962.

In 1978 when the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) was formed, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum became its southern head quarters. The Council has a chain of 28 centers spread all over India. The objective of the Council is to popularize science through interactive exhibits.

Galleries

Vishveshwaray Museum is not a 'museum' in its classical sense, because it has interactive exhibits unlike stationary models of a museum. It is more of a "Science Centre". Each floor of this museum is dedicated to a scientific discipline.

Engine Hall

The 'Engine Hall' exhibits engines of various automobiles, machines used in industry, a jet aircraft engine, and other mechanical devices. The predictability and precision of mechanics is demonstrated by the rolling balls that travel endlessly within metal tracks. It is delighting to watch the balls moving over roller coaster, looping a loop and bouncing high to be caught by a basket. Principle of conservation of energy can be explained convincingly through this exhibit.

Electro Technic Gallery

The 'Electro Technic Gallery' contains interactive electrical exhibits which work on the basic principles of electricity, electronics and communication. A renovated version of Electro Technic gallery is opened to public on 8 April 2010. This gallery exhibits the classical experiments like Oersted's experiment, Barlow's wheel, Faraday's ring, etc. A demonstration on electrostatics, which include Tesla coil, Van de Graaff generator etc. is on display. This is a must visit for all the students of electricity at basic and advanced level and all those who are attracted by the marvels of electricity.

Fun Science Gallery

On the first floor of the Museum we have the 'Fun Science gallery' that displays exhibits on sciences of sound, optics, fluids, math and perception. This is a real fun-filled exhibition and people throng each and every exhibit in large numbers to operate them.

Space Gallery

The 'Space Gallery' is about rocket science and the history of space exploration.

Biotechnology hall also on the second floor of Visvesvaraya Museum has exhibits on basics of Biotechnology and its applications. The 'Dinosaur alive' has a moving replica of a Spinosaurus. The 'BEL Hall of Electronics' has interesting exhibits on Electronics.

Science for Children Gallery

Another gallery named " Science for Children" houses exhibits that engages children in activities that help them to enjoy science. There is a giant piano over which they can dance to play music. A pin-wall helps the children to make the impression of their body parts on it.

Other Attractions

There is a virtual game area, where children can play music using virtual instruments. An attractive mural made of colored beads welcome the visitors to this gallery, which is filled with fun and enjoyment. The museum also conducts a mini-planetarium show called 'Taramandal' at regular intervals. This is the only museum in the world other than the Smithsonian Institutions in the US, to have a full scale replica of the 1903 flyer of Wright brothers.

A new 3D theater using technology from LightSpeed, USA is open to the public now. Interesting films on deep sea diving and brain are screened here. The 3d effects are spectacular.

Visitors

The museum which attracts close to one million visitors a year, is opened on all days (except Dipawali and Ganesha Chathurthi) from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. A serious visitor should be prepared to spend at least 3 hours in the Museum to have a glimpse of this treasure house of knowledge in the heart of Bangalore.

Getting There

Nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR, ICAO: VOBL), an international airport serving the Indian city of Bangalore. It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of Devanahalli and is 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the central business district of Bangalore, (30 kilometres (19 mi) from the Bangalore City Railway Station and covers 4,700 acres (1,900 ha).