Shri Bhavani Museum in Aundh, which is 48 km from Satara in Maharashtra. The museum has 500 miniature paintings of all major schools – Jaipur, Kangra, Mughal, Punjab, Bijapur, Pahadi and Maratha of the period between 15th and 19th century. Shri Bhavani Museum is probably the only museum in India, which has such a large collection.
Late Shrimant Bhavanrao alias Balasaheb Maharaj Pantpratinidhi (Raja of Aundh State) was a good artist and lover of art. He had a good collection many paintings, statuary, sculptured pots, weapons and holy books and many more. He wanted to give the benefit of his collection to the peoples, he established Shri Bhavani Museum & Library in 1938. It has reach collection of articles of sandalwood and ivory, Indian miniature paintings, Bengali/Western paintings, coeval paintings etc. Strong room consist of very valuable ornaments and diamond collection. The museum is open on everyday between 10.00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2p.m. to 5 p.m. except on Mondays. The museum has various paintings drawn by various well painters such as Rao bahaddur Dhurandhar, Baburao Painter, Satavalekar etc. Three paintings by Raja Ravi Varma is the pride of the Museum. The museum has a big department of stone created structures including the famous ‘Mother and Child’ by Henry Moore. There are many more such items that one can enjoy in museum. The museum has four sections entirely devoted to Western paintings that includes Madonna of the Book by Andrea Del Sarto; a Rembrandt self-portrait, In The Prison Of Aurangzeb by A.H. Muller, Beggar Boy by Bartona Morilla, Franciso by L. Goya, Boy Volunteer by G.G. Hierice, Game of Draughts by F. Morelli, Pairs by Cornil and many more. Museum treasures above 8,000 articles and 16,000 texts. Of these numerous books, there are present handwritten 3500 holy books.
Timings: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Closed On: Mondays
How to Go
Regular buses from Swargate(pune) to Satara and buses from Satara to Aundh.
