From workshop to museum
This museum stands upon the grounds of the ancient Maritime Engineering Workshop, a cornerstone of British colonial enterprise established in 1869, making it one of its kind. This workshop played a pivotal role in the building, repair, and maintenance of vessels navigating the waters of Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha. Serving as a vital lifeline for communication and trade, the workshop thrived until the advent of railways and larger dockyards diverted its significance.
Decades of neglect followed until the dawn of restoration efforts in 2007, culminating in the transformation of the dilapidated workshop into a sprawling museum. In 2017, the doors of the Odisha Maritime Museum opened to the public.
A mosaic of galleries
The museum boasts meticulously curated galleries, each offering a unique perspective on Odisha's maritime heritage.
Introduction Gallery: Here, visitors are introduced to the metamorphosis of the workshop into a museum through captivating photographs, artifacts, and narratives, showcasing the restoration efforts that breathed new life into the historic site.
Maritime History Gallery: This gallery delves into Odisha's rich history of maritime trade, highlighting its close ties with nations like Bali. Through intricate sculptures, artifacts, and traditional costumes, the gallery transports visitors to an era of bustling seaports and trade routes.
Boat Building Gallery: Witness the artistry of traditional boat building techniques as craftsmen meticulously shape wood into seaworthy vessels. From palm leaf inscriptions detailing the process to lifelike mannequins recreating scenes of labour, this gallery offers a glimpse into a bygone era of maritime craftsmanship.
Jobra Workshop Gallery: Step into the heart of the historic Jobra workshop, where original tools and equipment, meticulously restored, offer a glimpse into the industrial prowess of yesteryears. Khaki-clad mannequins evoke the bustling atmosphere of the workshop during its heyday, preserving a slice of maritime history for generations to come.
Maritime Rituals Gallery: Explore the customs and traditions intertwined with maritime life, with three-dimensional models depicting ancient rituals associated with sea voyages. From intricate ceremonies to superstitions passed down through generations, this gallery provides insight into the cultural fabric of Odisha's coastal communities.
Navigation Gallery: Navigate the seas of history with a collection of navigation tools spanning centuries, accompanied by maps and charts that charted the course of maritime exploration. From vernier callipers to sand clocks, these instruments bear witness to the skill of ancient mariners.
Monuments on Odishan Coast Gallery: Scale models of coastal monuments stand as silent sentinels of maritime history, offering a glimpse into the architectural heritage dotted along Odisha's coastline.
