Gandhinagar, March 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar on March 31, coinciding with Mahavir Janmakalyanak.
The museum, dedicated to the legacy of Mauryan ruler Samrat Samprati – grandson of Ashoka and a key proponent of Jainism – aims to showcase India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, with a focus on non-violence, according to a statement by the organizers.
Built with support from the Torrent Group’s UNM Foundation, the facility houses rare Jain artefacts, including ancient idols, manuscripts, miniature paintings, and coins, displayed across seven galleries spanning history from around 200 BCE.
Located within the Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra campus, the museum combines traditional exhibits with digital and audio-visual installations to offer an immersive experience for visitors, researchers, and scholars.
The project was conceived by Jain monk Acharya Padmasagarsurishwarji, who spent decades collecting artefacts from across India and Nepal.
"The Samrat Samprati Museum preserves centuries-old rare ancient relics, Jain artefacts, and traditional heritage. These priceless historical collections include stone and metal idols, large Tirth Patta, Yantra Patta, miniature paintings, silver chariots and coins, and ancient manuscripts, which are displayed in seven magnificent galleries. This offers visitors a rare glimpse into India's spiritual and artistic heritage, ranging from 200 BCE," it said.
Sudhir Mehta, President of Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, said Koba Tirth played a pivotal role in realizing the dream of building this historical museum.
"It is immensely satisfying to see this dream take shape. This museum will become a beacon of our shared heritage and inspire generations to explore India's spiritualism, culture, and art. I am humbled to be a part of this noble endeavour," he said.
Besides providing support for the construction of the Museum, the UNM Foundation of Torrent Group has also taken the responsibility to operate and maintain it.
"The Samrat Samprati Museum is a unique amalgamation of India’s unique ancient tradition and modernity. It integrates modern audio-visual technology, spiritual music, and immersive presentations to provide an infrastructure for a contemporary experience for visitors, researchers, and scholars. Beyond its visual appeal, the museum offers a profound spiritual journey, conveying eternal values of non-violence, restraint, and compassion to society," the statement said.
Nestled within the tranquil campus of Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba Tirth, the Samrat Samprati Museum vividly showcases the historical, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Jainism. Its seven wings, each dedicated to different, unique aspects of India's traditions, offer visitors a comprehensive journey through centuries of wisdom and heritage.
The museum is named after Samrat Samprati Maharaja, remembered as a compassionate ruler, ardent devotee of Jainism, and a great propagator of non-violence. It offers visitors a lively experience through modern digital features and presentations that highlight Jain art and architecture from around the world. Each artefact is presented not merely as an object, but as a living testament to time, faith, and culture – connecting visitors with divine experiences of the past.
"The museum comprises seven wings, each beautifully showcasing a distinct facet of Jainism’s spiritual, cultural, and philosophical traditions as well as the heritage of other religions of India," it added.