Urusvati Museum of Folklore

Nestled deep in the alleys of Sikhopur Village—like an island amidst sea of cultivated farmland—the Urusvati Museum of Folklore is a lesser known wonder of Gurgaon. Founded little more than a decade ago, this quaint, petite museum displays tales of love and valour linked to our country’s glorious past. Built in a Rajasthani Haveli style, the museum widely covers seven northern and central states—Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The popular stories from Punjab such as Laila Majnu, Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Sassi Punnu are featured on the walls. While the folklores of Bani-Thani, Madhumalti (the princess of Jodhpur) and Dholmaru (the love saga from Jodhpur) will take you on a tour of Rajasthan, the tales of Shiv and Parvati, illustrated in pahadi style miniature paintings, transport you to the land of Himachal Pradesh. Once you’ve admired these glimpses of the past, you can marvel at the comprehensive collection of costumes, crafts and jewellery from various states such as the phulkaris and parandis of Punjab, thirin (coat from Kashmir), odhnis from Rajasthan, chola and pattoo from Kullu and chaddru from Kangra. Crafts like kavaads and blue pottery from Rajasthan, traditional headgears (made out of cow horns) from Madhya Pradesh, sikki grass figurines of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Kali from Bihar, Baredi dance costumes from Andhra Pradesh—all find their way into the museum. With the Aravallis forming a stunning backdrop, the Urusvati Museum of Folklore makes for an ideal getaway for history buffs and curious travellers alike.