Considered one of the most prominent museums of Pune, the Tilak Museum is a memorial that provides us with an opportunity to connect with Lokmanya Tilak, who was an Indian nationalist, a social reformer, and a freedom activist. It is situated on the second floor of Kesariwada in the Narayan Peth area of Pune, which was once the residence of Lokmanya Tilak. The museum shares a collection of belongings and contributions of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, popularly known as Lokmanya Tilak.
When we hear the words ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Ganeshotsav’, the first leader that comes to our mind is Lokmanya Tilak. People from Pune and all across the world come here to visit the Tilak Museum to understand the character and role of Tilak in Indian history, whose devotion and contributions towards the people of the country played a significant part in the freedom struggle of India and are still effective. In this case, the museum is a perfect medium to go through his entire journey. It houses several of his photographs, his letters, and personal items.
Firstly, you will come across his genealogical table that includes his hand prints. In this section, you will also find some black and white photographs of his ancestors including his father, grandfather, uncle and other family members. It also highlights a photograph of his birthplace Gorewada situated in the Chikhli village of Ratnagiri district. In addition, you will come across many photographs all around that depict the happenings of his life and career along with the Indian freedom struggle. This includes the portraits of New English School, Fergusson College, and Deccan College. A picture, shot in 1915 including Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi together is amazing. Although all the photographs are not of good quality owing to the time it was clicked, it is the antique looks and the black and white color of them that make them worth watching. They also allow us experience the world that we have just heard about.
The Tilak Museum also houses a replica of his study room. The best part of it is a statue of Lokmanya Tilak, writing an editorial for his newspaper Kesari. Besides this, you will find his bed, clothes, table, wall clock, nutcracker, his library, etc. in the study room. It also shares a replica of Mandalay jail, a place where Tilak served imprisonment and wrote Gita Rahasya. You will find a statue of him writing Gita Rahasya in a burning lamp light with his small library in the cell. It also preserves some oil paintings, his degree certificates, some Sanskrit poems, etc.
Timings
The Tilak Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.everyday. Make sure you visit it with time in hand in order to go through the details of the museum. You can hire a rickshaw from Deccan to reach there. The bus service is also available. Thus if you have not visited this place ever then visit it to experience the world of Lokmanya Tilak.
