Koba (Gandhinagar): A unique confluence of India’s rich cultural heritage and historical legacy is set to take shape at the newly built Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar. The grand museum will be inaugurated on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The museum is dedicated to the inspiring life and values of Samrat Samprati Maharaj, the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and a great promoter of Jainism and non-violence, who ruled between 224 and 215 BCE. The museum highlights the spiritual consciousness of ancient Indian civilisation and is expected to serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.

The Samrat Samprati Museum, built with special support from the UNM Foundation of the Torrent Group, houses rare ancient artefacts, Jain artworks and traditional heritage preserved over centuries. Precious collections including stone and metal idols, large pilgrimage panels, yantra panels, miniature paintings, silver chariots, coins and ancient manuscripts are displayed in seven grand galleries, offering a rare glimpse into India’s spiritual and artistic traditions dating back to around 200 BCE.

The construction of the museum was a lifelong dream of Rashtrasant Acharya Padmasagarsurishwarji. Over the past six decades, he undertook nearly two lakh kilometres of foot pilgrimage across India and Nepal, during which he collected invaluable cultural artefacts from different regions which have now been preserved here.

Speaking about the project, Sudhir Mehta, president of Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba, said that seeing this dream take shape is deeply satisfying. He said the museum will act as a guiding light of shared heritage and will inspire future generations to understand India’s spirituality, culture and art in depth. He added that he feels humbled and proud to be part of this sacred work.

Along with providing all possible support for the construction, the UNM Foundation of Torrent Group has also taken responsibility for the management and maintenance of the museum.

The museum represents a unique blend of ancient Indian tradition and modern technology. With the use of modern audio-visual systems, spiritual music and immersive presentations, it offers a rich and contemporary experience for visitors, researchers and scholars. Beyond its visual and auditory grandeur, the museum conveys the eternal values of non-violence, discipline and compassion to society.

Located in premises of Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba Tirth, the museum vividly presents the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of Jainism. Its seven galleries are dedicated to different aspects of Indian traditions, offering visitors a wide and inspiring journey through centuries of accumulated knowledge and heritage.

Introduction to the seven galleries

Gallery 1:
Introduces the fundamental principles of Jain philosophy. It presents the lives and teachings of all Tirthankaras from Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara born in Ayodhya, to Lord Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankara born in Shauripur. Ancient Jain idols, manuscripts and paintings from the 5th to 15th century are displayed.

Gallery 2:
Dedicated to the life and spiritual tradition of the 23rd Tirthankara Lord Parshvanath. It displays ancient metal and stone idols, along with images of protective deities such as Dharanendra and Padmavati.

Gallery 3:
Depicts the 72-year life journey of the 24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavir, from birth to nirvana, along with the development of the Jain tradition afterwards. Stone and metal idols, yantra diagrams, maps and ancient Jain scriptures are displayed.

Gallery 4:
Shows the golden period of Jainism’s growth between the 13th and 17th centuries despite adverse conditions. Rare manuscripts and historical documents, including an original Mughal-era farman of Emperor Akbar, are displayed.

Gallery 5:
Presents Jain art, literature and religious traditions from the 18th to 20th century. Exhibits include painted cloths, silver chariots, wooden models of Jain temples and samavasaran, and fine woodcraft.

Gallery 6:
Highlights the wider heritage of Indian culture, art and architecture. Ancient coins from the 8th to 20th century, scriptures of the Vedas, Puranas and Ayurveda, and traditional handicrafts are displayed.

Gallery 7:
Developed as a modern auditorium with advanced facilities. Digital presentations of sacred Jain pilgrimage sites such as Shatrunjaya Giriraj, Girnar and Ranakpur provide an immersive spiritual experience.

Key features of the museum

• Tribute to Samrat Samprati: The museum is named after Samrat Samprati Maharaj, remembered as a compassionate ruler, devoted follower of Jainism and a great promoter of non-violence.
• Immersive experience: Modern digital technology and global-standard presentations provide visitors with a lively and engaging experience.
• Living heritage: Each artefact is presented as a living testimony of faith, time and culture, connecting visitors with the spiritual past.
• Heritage for future generations: The museum has been developed as a cultural treasure to inspire younger generations to understand India’s glorious traditions.
• Seven heritage galleries: The museum displays various aspects of Jain philosophy, culture and history, along with elements of India’s broader civilisational heritage.

Developing as an important historical and spiritual tourism centre, the Samrat Samprati Museum is expected to become a must-visit destination for students, youth, researchers, art lovers and historians who wish to understand the grandeur of India’s past and the many dimensions of its timeless culture.

The inauguration ceremony will be held in the presence of Rashtrasant Pujya Acharya Padmasagarsurishwarji, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State Harsh Sanghavi, and Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra–Koba Tirth president Sudhir Mehta, along with several distinguished guests from across the country. DeshGujarat