Five offbeat museums you should visit in India

If we go by definition then a museum is an institution that cares for or conserves a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical or scientific importance. So, if we go by this than we are free to run your imagination wild and possibly think of all those artifacts that could be displayed in a museum. These institutions might not come across as boring — which many think museums are because the collections on display are mostly historical artifacts, and since many of them are state or central government owned, there is little room for innovation. Still, there is room to celebrate and a reason to head out to these museums from across India that offer something really different!
Vechaar Utensils Museum, Ahmedabad
Only one of its kind in the world, this museum boasts of a collection of over 4,500 unique utensils that give an idea of the changing socio and cultural ethos and traditions through their make and size. Built-in 1981 within the vicinity of Vishalla Village Restaurant is the VECHAAR (Vishalla Environmental Centre for Heritage of Art, Architecture, and Research) Utensils Museum, a brainchild of architect Mr. Surender C. Patel. An extensive study of utensils from thousand years old to present times, the range varies from leaves or a gourd jug to modern stainless steel and glass utensils. The metal utensils cover everything from brass, copper, bronze, zinc to German silver.
Location: Within the vicinity of Vishalla Village Restaurant.
Timings:   Open round the year from 1:00 – 3:00pm & 5:00 – 10:30pm
Fees:     For adults, Rs.10
International Tourism Police Station and Police Museum, Kochi
Another first-of-its-kind in India, this museum gives a rich and rare insight into the State’s police history — starting from the era of the erstwhile kings of Travancore to the present. On display are uniforms, weapons, and arms used traditionally and in the present. A police woman’s uniform of 1939, the type of canes used by IPS officers, a gun-powder pot made of bronze, an antique pistol and binoculars dating back to the 1920’s are also on display. Photographs showing the uniforms and ceremonial dresses are also on display, along with a variety of hats.
Location: Mattanchery, Kochi
Timings: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
Entry is free.
Wax Museum, Kanyakumari
This is an Indian version of the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum and houses wax structures of celebrities like Manmohan Sigh, Saddam Hussein, Amitabh Bachchan, Tamil superstars like Rajanikanth and much more. It also features 3D paintings.
Location: Inside Baywatch Water Park, Kovalam Road, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 8 am to 8 pm
Fee: For adult, Rs 160 and for children Rs 150
Mayong Central Museum and Emporium, Assam
Mayong hill town is well known as India’s capital of black magic and witchcraft. This museum was opened in 2002 and features books, mythological epics and some of the ancient manuscripts of black magic and Ayurveda. The museum is spacious. Touching and photography of collections and displays are strictly prohibited. There are occasional magic shows where ancient healing spells are performed, giving visitors a glimpse of the magic that’s believed to characterise this place.
Location: Mayong district, 40 km from Guwahati
Timings: Not available
Fee: Not available
Butterfly Museum, Uttarakhand
The next time you’re in Uttarakhand, the butterfly museum should definitely be a place you must visit. The museum has 2,500 species of butterflies along with 1100 species of other insects. German ecologist Frederick Smetacek Jr. is the man behind this vast collection, as he started collecting this vast range of insects from 1962! The star attractions are the Snow Apollo, a rare butterfly species found in the Himalayas.he museum is located in the premises of Sattal Methodist Ashram.
Location, Butterfly Museum, Bhimtal
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Fee: Not available