About Shembaganur Museum of Natural History
The Shembaganur Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum located on the Sacred Heart College campus in Shembaganur, about 5 km from Kodaikanal town in Tamil Nadu. Established in 1895 by Jesuit priest Father E. Ugarte, it houses an extensive collection of taxidermied animals, birds, insects, plants and tribal artifacts. Notable for its 500+ species exhibits and herbarium, it serves as an educational centre on the biodiversity of the Palani Hills.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact, institution-run museum with two main sections displaying taxidermied mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and butterflies, along with preserved plant specimens, orchids and ethnographic artifacts of the Paliyan tribes. Exhibits are arranged in glass cases within a heritage building surrounded by the college campus and forested slopes. The visit is primarily educational and observational, with guided explanations available.
Key highlights
- 01
Collection of over 500 taxidermied animal and bird species from the Palani Hills
- 02
Extensive insect, butterfly and moth collection
- 03
Herbarium with more than 300 species of orchids and other flora
- 04
Anthropological section displaying artifacts of the Paliyan tribal community
- 05
Historic 1895 Jesuit institution attached to Sacred Heart College