The Dinosaur Museum in Gujarat offers an interactive and informative experience for both children and adults, providing them an insight into how the state has had a rich treasure of fossilised remains
With vistas of colourful culture and a wide variety of traditions, spirituality, cuisine and entertainment as well as the world’s tallest statue, now explore the latest addition to Gujarat’s attractions — India’s first Dinosaur Museum and world’s third largest fossil park at Raioli village, near Balasinor town.
A pre-historic location
The state has always carried an element of surprise that has caught the eyes of one and many across the globe. As Gujarat was also home to dinosaurs in the pre-historic times, it is one of the very few states in the country that has a rich treasure of fossilised remains of dinosaurs.
One hundred and fifteen kilometres away from the capital city of Gandhinagar, the museum is spread across an area of over 25,000 sq feet with 10 galleries spread across two floors, depicting various forms of visuals including static and dynamic installations. Raioli is the world’s second largest hatchery and boasts of being fertile breeding ground for many species of dinosaurs, which existed 65 million years ago. Fossil remains, bones and eggs have been excavated here since the early 1980s.
Fascinating features
The new museum creates a Jurassic era, when dinosaurs would roam around freely in Raioli. Nearly 50 sculptures of dinosaurs are showcased, including a life-sized one — Rajasaurus Narmadensis — the indigenous breed that can be called the ‘king of dinosaurs.’ Along with displays that elucidate evolution of earth, world, and dinosaurs of India and Gujarat and the KT extinction theory, the museum installations include 3D projection mapping, 360-degree virtual reality models, 3D stereoscopic projections, interactive kiosks, and a vivid display of triassic, jurassic and cretaceous times besides gaming consoles and much more. The museum offers an informative, interactive and amusing experience for children and people of all ages.
Arrive to witness the era of the gigantic reptiles. The museum is open to tourists from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased between 10 am and 5 pm, outside the museum. The museum remains closed on Monday.
Besides the Dinosaur Museum, the state is well-known for its rich culture. The folk arts of Gujarat form a major part of the culture of the state. It preserves the rich tradition of song, dance, drama as well. Handicrafts include bandhani, patolas of atan, kutchhi work, khadi, bamboo craft, block printing, embroidery, woodcraft, pottery, namda, rogan painting and many more handicrafts. Undoubtedly, the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, Mughals and British as well as Parsis have left their mark on its culture.
Ahmedabad, leading city of the state is the most preferred place for medical tour or medical treatments in India. With world class health amenities and an affordable, reasonable pricing, the city is becoming one of the most sought-after medical tourism centre in the country. More than 1,500 foreigners visit the state every year for various medical treatments.
