The Raja of Aundh, Late Shrimant Bhavanrao also known as Balasaheb Maharaj Pantpratinidhi , was himself a dexterous artist and a great connoisseur of art. He set up a museum known as the Shri Bhavani Museum & Library in 1938. The resplendent collection contains objects of sandalwood and ivory, Indian miniature paintings, paintings of Bengali and Western themes, style and origin, contemporary paintings and so on. The museum`s strong room houses precious ornaments and dazzling diamonds.
Museum treasures above 8,000 articles and 16,000 texts. Of these numerous books, there are present handwritten 3500 holy books .
The diligent Shrimant Balasaheb Maharaj devotedly learnt in details the science of museum. Inevitably, he gave shape to the existing structure of the museum, along with the collaboration provided by foreign architects . The aim was to devise a design which would welcome natural light, proper ventilation and safety.
The most enchanting attribute about the Sri Bhavani Museum and Library, Aundh, is definitely the vast range of a collection, nurtured by a single man, and in such a rural district .
Among the statutory of the Sri Bhavamni Museum and Library, the self-portraiture statue of Shrimant Bhavanrao , offers the greatest tribute to this enthusiastic founder of the museum.
A unique masterpiece is the sculpture of " Child and Mother" , crafted by the world-class European sculptor, Henry Moor . This sculpture is a single such instance in India.
The breathtakingly beautiful paintings of the famous painter Raja Ravivarma, include that of the legendary figures of Damayanti and Sairandhri .
The renowned paintings of Raja Ravivarma, Oleti of Thakursing , and celebrated Western artists, such as Karnil, Andridil, Sortobardana, Francis Goya, Chairasee Frank, Estman, Mistueth, Jones Bero and many others are kept on display in this museum. These praiseworthy pictures of this museum, entail the lofty achievements such as `Mother & Baby`, `Virgin Woman`, `Road to Paris`, Views of Venus, `Boy Volunteer`, Sunset, Final meal and models of `Monalisa`, etc.
Simply splendid are the bronze-sculptures of `Running Mercury`, `Kamdev`, `AgniDev` , illuminating the museum galleries with their charm. Excellent is the collection of the statues of 6 Indian seasons , installed in the garden of the Sri Bhavani Museum and Library.
It is curious to note that each of the sculptures, or paintings and artifacts exhibited in the Sri Bhavani Museum and Library, Aundh, is endowed with a meaning and theme, captivating enough to provoke thoughts and in-depth analysis .
The picturesque museum located on the slope of Aundh Hill . Aundh situated at a distance of 43 Kms from Satara, is equipped with a well-maintained network of roadways.
The Museum remains open from Tuesday to Sundays. Mondays are official holidays. The visiting time scheduled is from 10.00 to 13.00 and 13.30 to 17.00 .
Sri Bhavani Museum and Library, Aundh, arrests the attention of visitors with the valuable expositions of projects .