Are you looking for a place to explore the rich and diverse heritage of India? Do you want to witness some of the most exquisite and ancient artworks and artefacts of the country? Do you want to learn more about the fascinating stories and legends behind them? If yes, then you should definitely visit the Government Museum Chennai, one of the oldest and largest museums in India.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing museum, such as how to reach, best time, tips, images, timings, and more. Read on and discover why the Government Museum Chennai is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves history, culture, and art.
What to Expect
The Government Museum Chennai, also known as the Madras Museum, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and art. It was established in 1851 and is housed in a complex of six buildings, each with its own theme and collection. The museum has over 46 galleries, covering various fields such as archaeology, anthropology, zoology, botany, geology, numismatics, art, and children. Here are some of the highlights of the museum that you should not miss:
The Bronze Gallery:
This is one of the most popular and impressive galleries in the museum, as it displays one of the largest collections of ancient South Indian bronze sculptures in the world. The gallery showcases over 500 bronze statues, dating from the 7th to the 18th centuries, belonging to various dynasties and schools of art, such as the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, Nayaka, and Tanjore. The sculptures depict various Hindu gods and goddesses, saints, and sages, in various poses and expressions.
Some of the most famous and beautiful sculptures in the gallery are the Nataraja (the cosmic dancer), the Ardhanarishvara (the half-male half-female form of Shiva and Parvati), the Somaskanda (the family of Shiva), and the Rama-Lakshmana-Sita (the epic trio of the Ramayana).
The National Art Gallery:
This is another must-see gallery in the museum, as it showcases some of the finest and rarest paintings, sculptures, and textiles from various periods and regions of India. The gallery is divided into four sections: the Tanjore Painting Gallery, the Rajput Painting Gallery, the Indian Sculpture Gallery, and the Decorative Art Gallery. The Tanjore Painting Gallery exhibits some of the most exquisite and intricate paintings from the Tanjore school of art, which flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries in Tamil Nadu.
The paintings are characterized by their rich colors, gold foils, gems, and elaborate frames. The Rajput Painting Gallery displays some of the most delicate and elegant paintings from the Rajput school of art, which flourished in the 16th to 19th centuries in Rajasthan and other parts of North India. The paintings are characterized by their fine lines, vibrant colors, and romantic themes. The Indian Sculpture Gallery exhibits some of the most remarkable and diverse sculptures from different parts of India, ranging from the 6th to the 19th centuries.
The sculptures are made of various materials, such as stone, wood, metal, ivory, and terracotta, and depict various subjects, such as gods, goddesses, animals, and humans. The Decorative Art Gallery displays some of the most exquisite and ornate textiles, carpets, furniture, pottery, and metalwork from different parts of India, dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The textiles include some of the finest examples of silk, cotton, brocade, embroidery, and printing, while the metalwork includes some of the most intricate and delicate examples of bronze, brass, silver, and gold.
The Contemporary Art Gallery:
This is one of the most innovative and diverse galleries in the museum, as it showcases some of the most modern and contemporary art by Indian and international artists.
The gallery features over 200 paintings, sculptures, and installations, dating from the 20th and 21st centuries, representing various styles, movements, and themes, such as realism, abstraction, expressionism, surrealism, pop art, and social commentary. Some of the most prominent and influential artists whose works are displayed in the gallery are Raja Ravi Varma, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Tyeb Mehta, K.G. Subramanyan, Anish Kapoor, and Damien Hirst.
The Children’s Museum:
This is one of the most fun and interactive galleries in the museum, as it offers a space for kids to learn and play. The gallery features various exhibits and activities that are designed to stimulate the curiosity and creativity of the young visitors, such as puzzles, games, models, experiments, and workshops. The gallery also has a library, a puppet theater, a planetarium, and a toy train, that add to the enjoyment and education of the kids.
The Zoology and Botany Sections:
These are two of the most comprehensive and informative sections in the museum, as they house a variety of specimens and models of animals and plants. The zoology section has over 20,000 specimens, representing over 2,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and other invertebrates. The specimens are displayed in various forms, such as stuffed, mounted, preserved, and skeletonized.
Some of the most rare and interesting specimens in the section are the Indian lion, the Bengal tiger, the Indian elephant, the king cobra, the great hornbill, and the giant spider crab. The botany section has over 10,000 specimens, representing over 1,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants. The specimens are displayed in various forms, such as dried, pressed, mounted, and modelled. Some of the most rare and interesting specimens in the section are the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, the Cycas, the oldest living plant in the world, and the Venus flytrap, the carnivorous plant.
The Archaeology Section:
This is one of the most fascinating and valuable sections in the museum, as it contains a wealth of artefacts and relics from prehistoric and historic times. The section has over 100,000 objects, dating from the Paleolithic to the Modern periods, belonging to various cultures and civilizations, such as the Indus Valley, the Mauryan, the Sangam, the Pallava, the Chola, the Vijayanagara, the Mughal, the British, and the French. The objects include various types of pottery, coins, seals, inscriptions, sculptures, paintings, weapons, tools, jewelry, and ornaments. Some of the most rare and important objects in the section are the Harappan dancing girl, the Ashoka pillar, the Kalinga war edict, the Thanjavur Nayak painting, the Tipu Sultan’s sword, and the Robert Clive’s snuff box.
The Numismatics Section:
This is one of the most interesting and diverse sections in the museum, as it displays a fascinating collection of coins, medals, and stamps from different eras and countries. The section has over 60,000 coins, dating from the 6th century BC to the present day, belonging to various dynasties and kingdoms, such as the Magadha, the Kushana, the Gupta, the Chera, the Chola, the Pandya, the Vijayanagara, the Bahmani, the Mughal, the Maratha, the Sikh, the British, and the Indian. The coins are made of various metals, such as gold, silver, copper, bronze, and iron, and bear various symbols, legends, and images, reflecting the history, culture, and economy of the times.
The section also has over 10,000 medals, dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries, belonging to various countries and organizations, such as the British, the French, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the East India Company, the Indian National Congress, and the United Nations. The medals are made of various metals, such as gold, silver, bronze, and brass, and bear various inscriptions, portraits, and emblems, commemorating various events, achievements, and personalities.
The section also has over 5,000 stamps, dating from the 19th to the 21st centuries, belonging to various countries and regions, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China, Japan, and others. The stamps are made of various materials, such as paper, cloth, and plastic, and bear various designs, colors, and themes, representing various aspects of the society, culture, and environment.
As you can see, the Government Museum Chennai has something for everyone, whether you are interested in history, culture, art, science, or nature. You can spend hours exploring the various galleries, exhibits, and attractions in the museum, and still not see everything. The museum is a great place to learn, enjoy, and appreciate the heritage and diversity of India and the world.
How to Reach
The Government Museum Chennai is located on Pantheon Road, in the heart of the city. It is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as air, train, and road. Here are some of the ways to reach the museum from different points in the city:
By air:
The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, which is about 18 km away from the museum. You can take a taxi, bus, or metro to reach the museum from the airport. A taxi will cost you around Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 and take about 40 minutes, depending on the traffic. A bus will cost you around Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 and take about an hour, depending on the route and the stops. A metro will cost you around Rs. 40 to Rs. 60 and take about 30 minutes, depending on the line and the station. The nearest metro station to the museum is Egmore, which is about 1 km away. You can walk or take an auto-rickshaw from there to the museum.
By train:
The nearest railway station is Chennai Central, which is about 4 km away from the museum. You can take a taxi, bus, or metro to reach the museum from the station. A taxi will cost you around Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 and take about 15 minutes, depending on the traffic. A bus will cost you around Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 and take about 20 minutes, depending on the route and the stops. A metro will cost you around Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 and take about 10 minutes, depending on the line and the station. The nearest metro station to the museum is Egmore, which is about 1 km away. You can walk or take an auto-rickshaw from there to the museum.
By road:
The museum is located on Pantheon Road, in the heart of the city. You can drive, take a taxi, bus, or auto-rickshaw to reach the museum from any part of the city. The museum has a parking facility for visitors, which charges Rs. 20 for two-wheelers and Rs. 50 for four-wheelers. The museum is also well-connected by public transport, with several bus stops and metro stations nearby. The nearest bus stop to the museum is Egmore Bus Stand, which is about 500 meters away. The nearest metro station to the museum is Egmore, which is about 1 km away.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Government Museum Chennai is during the winter season, from November to February, when the weather is pleasant and cool. The temperature ranges from 20°C to 30°C, and the humidity is low. This is also the peak tourist season in Chennai, as the city celebrates various festivals and events, such as Pongal, a harvest festival, and the Chennai Music Festival, a classical music and dance festival. The museum also organizes special exhibitions and programs during this time, which add to the attraction and enjoyment of the visitors.
The worst time to visit the Government Museum Chennai is during the summer season, from March to June, when the weather is hot and humid. The temperature can go up to 40°C, and the humidity can reach 80%. This is also the off-season in Chennai, as the city experiences heat waves and water shortages. The museum can get very uncomfortable and crowded during this time, as many locals and tourists seek refuge from the heat.
The monsoon season, from July to October, can also be avoided, as the city receives heavy rainfall and floods. The weather can be unpredictable and erratic, and the roads can get waterlogged and congested. The museum can also get affected by the rain and the dampness, and some of the exhibits and galleries can get closed or damaged.
The best time of the day to visit the museum is morning, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, when the museum is less crowded and the exhibits are well-lit. You can enjoy the museum at your own pace and leisure, and avoid the rush and the noise of the afternoon and evening visitors. You can also get a chance to interact with the guides and the staff, who can provide you with more information and insights about the museum and its collections.
The worst time of the day to visit the museum is afternoon, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, when the museum is closed for lunch. You will have to wait outside the museum or find some other place to spend your time, which can be inconvenient and boring. You will also miss out on some of the exhibits and galleries, which can be closed or inaccessible during this time.
The evening, from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, can also be a good time to visit the museum, but the museum can get more crowded and the exhibits can get dimmer. You will have to deal with the noise and the chaos of the other visitors, and you may not be able to see and appreciate the exhibits as well as in the morning. You will also have to hurry up and finish your visit before the museum closes at 5:30 pm.
Entry Fee and Timings
The Government Museum Chennai charges a nominal entry fee for the visitors, which varies according to the category and the nationality of the visitors. The entry fee also includes the access to all the galleries and exhibits in the museum, except for the Children’s Museum, which has a separate fee. The entry fee and timings of the museum are as follows:
Category Entry Fee Timings
Indian Adults Rs. 15 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Indian Children (5-12 years) Rs. 10 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Foreign Adults Rs. 250 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Foreign Children (5-12 years) Rs. 125 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Camera Rs. 200 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Video Camera Rs. 500 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Children’s Museum Rs. 5 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
You can buy the tickets at the ticket counter near the entrance of the museum, or you can book them online through the official website of the museum. You can also get discounts and concessions for students, senior citizens, and groups, if you show the valid ID proof and documents. You can also get free entry to the museum on some special occasions and days, such as World Museum Day, International Museum Day, and Tamil Nadu Day.
The Government Museum Chennai is a treasure trove of history, culture, and art. It is one of the oldest and largest museums in India, with over 46 galleries and over 200,000 objects. The museum has something for everyone, whether you are interested in history, culture, art, science, or nature. You can explore the various galleries, exhibits, and attractions in the museum, and learn more about the heritage and diversity of India and the world. You can also enjoy the cultural and festive events and activities that the museum organizes throughout the year.
Visit the Government Museum Chennai and discover the history, culture, and art of India. Share your experience and feedback with us in the comments section below. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for more travel tips and guides.
