An imposing
bronze statue titled Cosmic Man, well maintained lawns and a simle yet
elegant structure characterise the Birb Museum, begun more than 30 years
ago by the Biria Education Trust. Today this is one of the best science
museums in thf country.
Visitors are greeted by the cou, the
launching of SLV-3, where the 7.6m high model opens automatically,
exposing its interior, while in the Energy Gallery, an electronic eye,
operated i photocells, keeps count. The Gallery on transportation has
chosen exhibits to explain how man has reduced his travelling time through
faster modes of transport. Man's flight into space is represented by
satellites revolving around earth, space modules, 'Man lands on the Moon',
an imaginary lunar city, Aryabhatta and even a US space shuttle.
A huge diorama depicts a colliery surface. Looking through the dimly lit
tunnel into a mine, one sees miners at work. Oxygen pipes and heavy cables
hanging from the upper mine surface add to its authenticity. The
underground exploration section also houses an assortment of dioramas
depicting the marble quarries of Makarana, Koiar Gold Fields, Khetri
copper mines and oil drilling operations. A 'lava room' demonstrates
bubbling lava within a volcano before eruption.
A few years ago
the museum introduced a unique science gallery, Eureka, with animated
models which explain simple physical laws and natural phenomena.
The
Futuroma Gallery.has videos, computers and other hightech inventions. An
exciting feature here is a robot with blinking eyes who talks about
electronics as it moves about shaking hands with visitors.
Birla
Museum, Pilani Dist.
Jhunjhunu 333031
Timings: Summer: 8.30
am to 5.00 pm Winter: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on Mondays.