MUDA is reported to be in consultation with the heritage and archaeological departments to select items and artefacts to be displayed at the proposed 'heritate park' on a 32-acre space, close to Lalith Mahal Palace. Talking of heritage, the names that come to mind are Maj. Gen. Vombatkere (retd.) and Mr Krishna Vattam. Unarguably, they have the credentials to be part of any heritage think-tank. Mr M V Lakshminarayan, a retired bank employee who has demonstrated his life-long passion for collecting things with the display of 'Aparoopa' collections at his K R Mohalla residence (see 'Aparoopa' Home Museum' in 'Information' page of this site) would have ideas for the heritage park. Muda would do well to tap journalists who write on heritage sites (Mr Krishna Kumar, Mr Arvind, Mr ShankarBennur, to name the few I know of).

Mysore heritage committee is reported to have identified 140-odd heritage sites, which makes the city well endowed in this department. Most of them are waiting to be promoted. Proposed heritage park could work as a 'teaser trailer' for those who might want to visit those places (a priced catalogue on items and places can be issued with the ticket). This is not to suggest we display table-top models of notable historical buildings (which may not be such a bad idea).

The Lalith Mahal Heritage Park, I guess, would attract hotel guests with time on hand, day-trippers who want to do Mysore in a hurry, and business conference tourists with flair for heritage. In view of this one could think of displaying at the park some representative artefacts brought from other places of interest, to give visitors a 'feel' of the numerous heritage sites spread all over the city. The heritage park can also be a 'rehab centre' for items collected from abandoned historical ruins. I once had occasion to visit a museum in MP, near Panna, where they displayed 'Sati' stones and other items of historical interest collected from surrounding villages,

And then heritage is not just about palaces, maharajas and temples. The park could devote a section on industrial heritage. Equipment and things from rail museum, the first sandal oil and soap factory,silk factory and the water works can be put on display.Mr Ravi Kumar of NIE could consulted on the choice of items..