The Smritivan Museum Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj, Gujarat, has been recognized as one of the world’s seven most beautiful museums by the prestigious Prix Versailles Award from UNESCO.
Opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, Smritivan honors the victims of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake and showcases Gujarat’s resilience and growth.
Situated on Bhujio Hill and spanning 470 acres, Smritivan features the world’s largest Miyawaki forest with 500,000 trees. The names of the 12,932 earthquake victims are inscribed on plaques across 50 check dams.
Key Features of Smritivan
– Historic Fort: Includes a restored 300-year-old fort.
– Green Energy: Features a solar power plant.
– Tree Plantations: Extensive tree plantations enhance the landscape.
– Interactive Museum: The 11,500-square-meter museum offers exhibits and a theatre that simulates the 2001 earthquake.
Smritivan is the first Indian museum to receive this international honor, celebrated for its cultural and sustainable practices. It joins other renowned museums like:
– A4 Art Museum in Chengdu, China
– Simose Art Museum in Hiroshima, Japan
– Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt
– Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands
– Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah, Oman
– Polish History Museum in Warsaw, Poland
Under Modi’s leadership, Gujarat has advanced its cultural heritage, with initiatives like the Statue of Unity and the recognition of Garba dance and Dhordo village by UNESCO and UNWTO.