KOCHI : When one searches the internet for the tourist destinations in Kozhikode, Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum is one name that pops up very often. However, the museum, which comes under the Kerala Department of Archaeology, has been remaining closed for nearly a year now, disappointing history enthusiasts, tourists and children who want to visit the place.
The building, which houses the museum, used to be a part of the erstwhile district collector’s residence. It was then known as the East Hill Bungalow. The building was converted into a museum in 1976 and later renamed as the Pazhassi Raja Museum. The residence is currently the K K Krishna Menon Museum, which comes under the State Department of Museum and Zoo.
The building of the Pazhassi Raja Museum was used as a court room during the British era, and the underground of the building was used as jail cellars.
These rooms now store archeological artifacts, including burial urns excavated from various parts of the state and terracotta vessels from the Indus Valley civilisation.
Ill-maintained and neglected, the interiors of the museum is in a dilapidated condition. The wooden blocks holding heavy artifacts can be seen falling off.
The museum has come under the District Heritage Museum Project, as part of which it has received `45 lakh for renovation. The current closure is again for a major renovation work, with the `3.5 crore fund received from the Central Government.
“Since the museum has been included in the Heritage Museum Project, the current work is to elevate the infrastructure to the required status.
“Besides, the department will introduce more artifacts which can give the public an insight into our history,” says an official working for the museum.
Lack of signboards and pointers to reach the museum and the lack of frequent public transportation on the East Hill-Karaparamba route are also pointed as the reasons deterring tourists from visiting the museum.
However, as part of the renovation, the department is planning to start an individual website for the museum and place more sign boards in the city.
“We are under pressure to reopen the museum at the earliest. So we are hoping to complete the work and reopen it in a month,” says a source.