Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum
Museum was founded in 1964. The sculptures are ichnographically excellent and are eloquently executed. A 10th century red sandstone sculpture from Tripuri depicts the story of a gamble between Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati. They are seated on the slopes of the Himalayan Mount Kailasha playing Chauser, a gambling sport. Brahma (the Hindu Creator of the Universe) and Vishnu are shown amidst clouds with their consorts Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge) and Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) respectively, while Bhairava, Virabhadra, Bhringi, Ganesha, Kartikeya and other devotees look on with great curiosity. The sculpture makes the ultimate result of the game seem more interesting than the game itself. Shiva is made to lose the game, and expressions of delight are visible on the faces of Parvati and all the female attendants. The cult of goddess Durga (worshipped as Shakti) gained prominence and became very popular in the middle Ages. In the Rani Durgavati Museum is displayed a 36cm high sandstone idol of Durga, a specimen sculpture of Kalchuri art, procured from Doni. Saraswati, the wife of Brahma, is the patron of art, music and letters. A circa 10th century A.D. sandstone sculpture of Saraswati is also on display in this museum. Yoginis are lesser divinities in the cult of Shakti and this museum has the sculpture of a seated Yogini, portrayed with four hands with a lion at her feet.
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