India is no stranger to immortal love stories. It is home to the Taj Mahal - the most famous monument to love ever built - created by a grief-stricken Mughal emperor for his wife.

In a role reversal of sorts, a widow in the South Indian state of Kerala has found a unique way to keep her husband's memory alive. She has set up a museum to showcase her family's vast private collection of precious art and artifacts.

Located in the town of Alappuzha, the Revi Karuna Karan Memorial Museum is a love connoisseur's delight.

It was built by Betty Karan after her husband Revi's death in 2003.

They were married for 46 years and travelled extensively in connection with their textile export business.

It was during these trips in India and abroad that Betty and Revi - both avid art collectors - picked up the pieces making up their collection.

They also inherited a great number of artifacts from their families.

After Revi's death, Betty was keen to preserve the essence of their love through something tangible.

So she decided the best tribute to her husband would be to share the family treasure with other people.

The collection includes nearly 3,800 pieces of hand-cut crystal, colored crystal, figures and carvings in ivory and porcelain figurines.

 In a role reversal of sorts, a widow in the South Indian state of Kerala has found a unique way to keep her husband's memory alive. She has set up a museum to showcase her family's vast private collection of precious art and artifacts.

Also on display are old paintings, murals and antique furniture.

Betty Karan, meseum owner, said, "It is a monument I built for him. So I hope it will stay on forever; after my time also."

Bibi Baskin, friend of Betty Karan,said, "I think that this museum is a symbol of what marriage is and relationships should be about. And very frequently in this sort of fragmented world that we live in, they are not at all. But this is a wonderful emblem of great love , of closeness, of dedication , of affection, of loyalty, of everything that a good marriage should be all about."

The museum was opened to the public in 2006 and is gradually gaining popularity among tourists.

One of the most prized possessions of the Karan family is the Buick Super car imported in 1948 by Revi's father. This car brought Betty to her husband's house after their wedding.

Betty is hoping tourists coming to see Kerala will also visit her monument of love and be part of her romance with her beloved husband.