Counted among the oldest museums in India, the State Government Museum in Bangalore is a popular tourist attraction of the city. Established in the year 1866, it is visited by the large number of tourists every year. The museum is home to the most exclusive and ancient art objects and artifacts. Some of the artifacts restored from the ancient sites include coins, inscription and sculptures. Collected from the different sites of Karnataka, these artifacts give the visitor insight into the ancient times.

State Government Museum also showcases the beautiful collection of paintings by the reputed artist Venkatappa and other artists of different times. Some of the attractive art works include Plaster of Paris objects, watercolor paintings and more. There is separate gallery in the museum where the art works of Major Cheppudira Ponnappa Rajaram are displayed which includes mainly woodwork sculptures.

Other attractive site near the Bangalore State Government Museum is the Venkatappa Art Gallery. Named after the renowned artists Venkatappa, this art gallery displays around 600 paintings made by different eminent artists. The works of famous painter Venkatappa are placed in the ground floor of the gallery. Most of his paintings are based on the nature and his paintings include Sunrise in Ooty, view of Nilgiri Mountains, Kodaikanal, a painting on Monsoon and other paintings. Works of other eminent artists of India like M. F. Hussain, Vasudev, S. Bendre, Hariram, Hanumaiah, Yusuf Arakkal and others are displayed.

Counted among the famous museums in Bangalore, this museum remains open from 9 AM to 6 PM, all days in the week. But it is closed on Wednesdays and all the public holidays. The museum is worth visiting and you would love it if you are art enthusiastic and a history buff.