The under-construction shop at Patna Museum. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Feb. 3: Visitors to Patna Museum would be able to go home with a little piece of history from March this year.

The authorities have a plan up their sleeves to open a shop where visitors would be able to buy replicas of the exhibits they view at the museum. Handloom and handicraft products from across the country would also be available at the outlet.

The museum authorities are trying to get Handicrafts and Handloom Exports Corporation of India Ltd to manage the shop.

JPN Singh, additional director, Patna Museum, told The Telegraph: “We are developing a new museum shop in a bid to boost the promotional activities. Residents would be able to buy replicas of artefacts displayed at the museum — including the famous Didarganj Yakshi — at this outlet. It will also offer posters and calendars as gift items.”

He also said: “We are in talks with Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India Ltd to manage the shop. If they agree, the shop would also offer handloom and handicraft items from across the country including, Manipur, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Bihar.”

He added that a new cafeteria would also be opened on the museum premises where the visitors can spend time.

The additional director said: “We are trying to open the shop and the cafeteria by March.”

The new shop would be on the north of the museum campus. A wall in front of the shop would depict the rich history of the state through paintings.

Patna Museum was built in 1917 to house historical artefacts found in the vicinity of Patna. The architecture of the multi-purpose facility is a blend of the Mughal and Rajput styles.

The items on display at the museum include archaeological objects, coins, traditional paintings and thangkas (Tibetan silk painting), utensils, tools, textiles, bronze statues, sculptures and terracotta images of Hindu deities and Buddhist monks.

The museum is also home to a rare collection of paintings from the British period, depicting the day-to-day lives of English officials.

Visitors are upbeat about the proposed museum shop. “There are so many interesting objects in the museum. It is very difficult to find their replicas anywhere. If the museum sells the replicas of the artefacts, it would be authentic. The replicas would add to the décor of my house.,” said Indraneel Kumar, a frequent visitor to the museum.

He added: “A cafeteria at the museum is also much-needed. Visitors spend a lot of time in the museum, some even hangout in the park. At times, they get hungry but they do not have too many options besides an ill-maintained kiosk behind the museum. It sells only tea and snacks. The new café will hopefully offer a lot more on their menu.”