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Gallery 1 : Introduction to Kashi

The first gallery introduces Kashi as a city of expectations, anticipation and salvation. While the city is believed to have
been established by Lord Shiva, its sacred land was treaded by Gautam Buddha and it is where the Jain Tirthankar
Parshwanath took birth and the city was also visited by the Sikh Guru Nanak amongst many other significant events.
The visitors are welcomed to the museum with a vibrant colourful ‘Bird’s Eye view’ of Varanasi Ghats –floor to ceiling
3D wall mural painting (18 feet by 10 feet). Next to the entrance door, a static panel displays ‘A Mirror of Kashi’ titled
‘Kashi Darpana’ by Kailasanatha Sukla in 1876, which is a monochrome graphical representation of the city as a sacred
space, and needs to be turned around in order to read it. A vertical digital screen explains the history and architectural
evolution of Man Mahal and the visitors start the tour by striking the bell at the Shiva Poojan, which digitally offers flowers
to the Lord Vishwanath. The gallery also showcases a film to introduce Kashi as a city of countless dimensions, layers,
colours and textures. The film titled ‘Historical Timeline of Kashi’ gives an insight into the geographical, religious, political
and cultural evolution of the holy city till present day.

Exhibit – ‘Bird’s Eye View’ Mural of Kashi Exhibit – ‘Historical Timeline’ of Kashi
PM’s Visit to VEM

RAS RAS BANARAS, VIRTUAL EXPERIENTIAL MUSEUM, MANMAHAL, VARANASI

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