Non-Profit Organization, Reg. No U85300HP2022NPL009682 Government of India
About the founder : Dr. Ritesh Arya
Initial days of fossil hunting
Tethys Fossil Museum: A Repository of Earth's Narratives
Initial days of fossil hunting
Dr. Ritesh Arya
Welcome to Tethys Fossil Museum, where the journey through time unfolds under the guidance of our visionary founder, Dr. Ritesh Arya. A distinguished geologist Guinness World Record Holder who featured in DIscovery Channel with a profound passion for uncovering the secrets of Earth's history, Dr. Arya's remarkable journey
Dr. Ritesh Arya
Welcome to Tethys Fossil Museum, where the journey through time unfolds under the guidance of our visionary founder, Dr. Ritesh Arya. A distinguished geologist Guinness World Record Holder who featured in DIscovery Channel with a profound passion for uncovering the secrets of Earth's history, Dr. Arya's remarkable journey is an integral part of the fossil narrative echoing within these walls.
A Geological Luminary
His academic journey began at Panjab University, Chandigarh, where he was deeply influenced by the works of Medlicott, the pioneer who discovered the first fossil from Kasauli in 1864. At a time when Kasauli was considered unfossiliferous, he embarked on a mission to challenge this perception.
Pioneer of Fossil Collection in Kasauli
In 1987, during my graduation days, he commenced his journey of fossil collection. By the time he completed my graduation, he had amassed the largest and most diverse fossil collection from Kasauli and its surrounding areas. His dedication and commitment to paleontology set the stage for groundbreaking discoveries.
International Recognition and Collaboration
His contributions to the field gained international acclaim and he presented his first paper at an International Conference commemorating 25 years of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. In 1994, he received an invitation from Prof. Nishimoro to present his findings in an International Seminar in Kyoto, Japan.
Later, he collaborated with scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany (now Paleosciences), Lucknow.and published and presented a paper highlighting the equatorial affinities of Kasauli Fossils at an International Conference on Foredeep organized by the Geological Survey of India.
Unearthing Dinosaurs and Formulating Theories (1996):
A pivotal moment occurred during the International Geological Correlation Program, where 20 scientists from around the globe participated to study Dinosaur in India. The exploration of dinosaur localities which started from Jabalpur to Rayoli became a historic tour. This expedition established Rayoli as a world geoheritage site to study insitu fossil assemblage of Dinosaurs. Later this visit helped in the formulation of the Love, Passion, and Dinosaur Extinction theory.
Hydrogeology and Paleontology:
Tethys Fossil Museum: A Repository of Earth's Narratives
Initial days of fossil hunting
Hydrogeologist at Groundwater Organisation 1993
A Symbiotic Relationship (1993-1996):Beyond the realm of fossils, Dr Ritesh's Arya journey embraced hydrogeology. Serving as a hydrogeologist with the Himachal Pradesh Groundwater Organisation, I sought to understand the symbiotic relationship between fossils and groundwater occurrence and p
Hydrogeologist at Groundwater Organisation 1993
A Symbiotic Relationship (1993-1996):Beyond the realm of fossils, Dr Ritesh's Arya journey embraced hydrogeology. Serving as a hydrogeologist with the Himachal Pradesh Groundwater Organisation, I sought to understand the symbiotic relationship between fossils and groundwater occurrence and presented my findings in a paper titled Conceptual paper to explain the occurrence and movement of groundwater resources in the entire Hindu Kush Himalayas in an International Geological Congress China 1996
Dalai lama ji and formation of Arya Drillers
Later a call from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to provide Groundwater to 3800 Tibetans redirected my path to Ladakh. Dr Arya left my Government job in 1997 and floated my own company Arya Drillers to provide potable drinking water to Tibetans who fled Tibet following Chinese aggression in 1959. In 1998 Dr Arya provided water solutions to the Tibetans on NO WATER NO MONEY basis all the borewells explored and drilled are running well. Dr Arya admitted even while exploring groundwater my love for fossils never died. Dr Arya continued to make significant fossil discoveries in Leh Kargil and Nyoma showing similarities with fossils from Himachal Pradesh.
Guinness World Record
In 1998 I was asked by Indian Airforce to explore groundwater in Leh and Thoise Airforce stations which I successfully developed. Then in 1999 Kargil war happened and I was working with the Indian Army providing sustainable water solutions to the troops in the Siachen Kargil Drass and Leh sector. During drilling one such borewells an artesian condition was encountered which was the highest in the world and our name featured in Guinness World Record.
Tethys Fossil Museum: A Repository of Earth's Narratives
Tethys Fossil Museum: A Repository of Earth's Narratives
Tethys Fossil Museum: A Repository of Earth's Narratives
Tethys Fossil Museum: A
Repository of Earth's Narratives (2022): As you navigate through the museum, guided by the wealth of fossils collected by me since 1987, you witness not just the ancient remnants but each fossil displayed here tells a story, not just of ancient life forms
Tethys Fossil Museum: A
Repository of Earth's Narratives (2022): As you navigate through the museum, guided by the wealth of fossils collected by me since 1987, you witness not just the ancient remnants but each fossil displayed here tells a story, not just of ancient life forms but of the journey of discovery that defines our understanding of the planet. Specially the fossils displayed help in timing the evolution of the Himalayas.
Embark on the Journey with Curiosity and Awe: As you wander through the halls of this museum, know that every exhibit is a testament to the interconnectedness of Earth's past and the collaborative spirit of scientific inquiry. I invite you to delve into the fascinating world of paleontology, guided by the vision and passion of our esteemed founder, Dr. Ritesh Arya..
Scientific Contributions and Media Recognition
Dr. Arya's research journey is marked by numerous publications in reputed journals. His groundbreaking discoveries captured the attention of various newspapers and magazines, further amplifying the significance of his work. Dr. Arya's contributions were featured in science serials like Turning Point and the Discovery Channel.
mission and objectives
WHY TETHYS
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
JOURNEY OF TETHYS
Welcome to the Tethys Fossil Museum a venture of the Tethys Museum Foundation a registered Non-Profit organization recognized by the government of India with Reg. No U85300HP2022NPL009682 under Section 8(1) of the Companies Act 2013 by the Government of India. The museum is a testament to the dedication of geoscientists eager to explore
Welcome to the Tethys Fossil Museum a venture of the Tethys Museum Foundation a registered Non-Profit organization recognized by the government of India with Reg. No U85300HP2022NPL009682 under Section 8(1) of the Companies Act 2013 by the Government of India. The museum is a testament to the dedication of geoscientists eager to explore the mysteries of the ancient "Tethys" ocean
that once separated India from the Tibetan plate
JOURNEY OF TETHYS
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
JOURNEY OF TETHYS
The journey of Tethys Sea is intertwined with the epic narrative of India's evolution. As India drifted from Gondwana Land, it embarked on a northward movement, gradually squeezing the Tethys Sea.
The collision with Tibet was a seismic event that marked the birth of the majestic Himalayas. These towering peaks are, in fact, remnants of t
The journey of Tethys Sea is intertwined with the epic narrative of India's evolution. As India drifted from Gondwana Land, it embarked on a northward movement, gradually squeezing the Tethys Sea.
The collision with Tibet was a seismic event that marked the birth of the majestic Himalayas. These towering peaks are, in fact, remnants of the TETHYS SEA, uplifted through various tectonic processes, predominantly linked with the collision of the Indian plate with that of the Tibetan plate.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
The Tethys Fossil Museum aims to cultivate interest in students, children, and visitors, highlighting the relevance of fossils in understanding evolution, paleoenvironment, tectonics, and their role as indicators of fossil fuels.
Discover how Tethys Fossil Museum is contributing to the field of cultural research and conservation throu
The Tethys Fossil Museum aims to cultivate interest in students, children, and visitors, highlighting the relevance of fossils in understanding evolution, paleoenvironment, tectonics, and their role as indicators of fossil fuels.
Discover how Tethys Fossil Museum is contributing to the field of cultural research and conservation through innovative studies and collaborations with leading scholars and institutions.