Odisha State Maritime Museum

Among many things of historic importance and the developments that took place during the British Raj, India’s maritime activities were also soaring and Odisha Maritime Museum showcases the traditions, activities, and developments of one of the successful maritime ports of India under the British rule. Witness the region’s maritime heritage, with models of boats, navigational equipment, and more along with the pristine beauty of the Mahanadi River.

About the Museum

The quintessential tourist place of the millennium Cuttack, Odisha State Maritime Museum is located in the Jobra Workshop and comprises 13 wide-ranging galleries along with other auxiliary components to make the place modern, interesting, and enlightening. The conception of the workshop began in 1869 and has the reputation of being the only workshop that accommodated the needs and necessities of building, repairing, and maintaining the vessels of the three provinces of Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha under the Bengal Presidency of British India. The workshop was established with the assistance and efforts of the Scottish Engineer G. H. Faulkner under the management of the then PWD department of British India, following right after the great Odisha famine in 1866 which came to be known as ‘’NaaAnkaDurviksha’’.

With its establishment, the museum aims to promote and showcase the rich maritime history of Odisha during the British Raj having the largest river of the state – Mahanadi in the vicinity. The galleries of the museum showcase maritime traditions, vessels, boats, and other related artifacts right from the ancient era to the colonial time. Other exhibits include tools used by the Sadhabas (or seafarers), age-old navigation systems, and their development. The highlights are the wooden boat replicas, a huge boat shed, and a lathe that was the biggest in Asia during that time. For research purposes and for any visitor who would want to explore more, a library is also inside the premises with over 1000 books and journals on information about maritime and the practices and traditions during the colonial era.

The aquarium in the museum along with the 3D shows draws the attention of many travelers and locals alike, especially young children. You can also wander on the finely manicured lush green lawns with the cool wind gracing your hair from the Mahanadi River. The museum also organizes many painting competitions for children which add to the pleasant vibe of the place and attracts many participants. The open-air auditorium with a seating capacity of 250 people is used to run 3D shows and makes the visit worth every penny.