If you think that Indian museums are just a collection of dusty relics and boring displays, you are in for a surprise. India has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is showcased in various museums across the country.
Whether you are interested in the history of the Partition, the development of transport, the art of textiles, or the life of tribal communities, you will find a museum that suits your curiosity. Here are some of the most popular and innovative museums in India that you should not miss.
1. Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
One of India’s most renowned museums, the Salar Jung Museum, was founded in 1951 by a nobleman who loved to collect art and antiques from all over the world. Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III amassed a treasure trove of more than 40,000 items from different countries and eras, ranging from paintings and sculptures to textiles and weapons, from clocks and furniture to manuscripts and ceramics. The museum is a window into the diverse and fascinating cultures of the world.
Location: Darulshifa, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Fridays)
Cost of entry: Rs 20 for Indians; Rs 500 for foreigners
2. National Museum of Natural History, Delhi
India’s natural history and biodiversity are displayed in a museum that was created in 1978 by the ministry that oversees the environment and forests. The National Museum of Natural History has four floors, each with a different theme that explores the wonders of nature. You can learn about how life evolved, how ecosystems work, how we can protect nature, and more.
Location: FICCI Building, Barakhambha Rd., Tansen Marg, New Delhi.
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Cost of entry: Free
3. Kala Bhoomi Crafts Museum, Bhubaneshwar
If you are in Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Odisha, you should not miss the chance to visit this amazing new interactive museum that opened its doors in early 2018. The museum covers a huge area of 13 acres and has four zones with eight galleries.
You can admire the art and craft of Odisha in various forms, such as terracotta, paintings, carvings, metalwork, tribal work, and handlooms. You can also enjoy cultural performances at the outdoor amphitheater, have fun at the children’s play area, and buy souvenirs at the shop.
Location: Gandamunda, Pokhariput, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
Timings: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily except Mondays.
Tickets: 50 rupees for adults, 20 rupees for students. Children under 12 can enter for free.
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
One of India’s oldest and most esteemed museums, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, was founded in 1905 by the Bombay Presidency to honor the visit of King Edward VII. The museum displays the art, culture, and history of India and other regions, such as China, Japan, Nepal, etc. You can explore the rich and diverse heritage of these lands in various forms, such as paintings, sculptures, coins, manuscripts, weapons, etc.
Location: 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Timings: 10:15 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Cost of entry: Rs 70 for Indians; Rs 600 for foreigners
5. Heritage Transport Museum, Gurgaon, Haryana
The Heritage Transport Museum is a colorful and lively museum that opened in late 2013 and traces the development of transport in India. It is a private museum that was created by Tarun Thakral, a collector of vintage cars, who has shared his collection with the museum’s extensive display. You can also marvel at the history & diversity of Indian transport in various forms.
Location: Bilaspur-Tauru Road (Major District Road 132) off NH 8 (Bilaspur Chowk), Taoru, Gurgaon, Haryana. The museum can be visited on a day trip from Delhi.
Timings: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily except Mondays.
Tickets: 400 rupees for adults, 200 rupees for children. (The rate is the same for both foreigners and Indians).
6. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
The Victoria Memorial is a museum and a monument that was erected to honor Queen Victoria, the former ruler of India. Sir William Emerson designed the majestic building, which was finished in 1921. The museum exhibits a collection of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, coins, stamps, etc. that portray the history and culture of India during the British era.
Location: Victoria Memorial Hall, Queen's Way, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700071
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays and national holidays)
Cost of entry: Rs 30 for Indians; Rs 500 for foreigners
7. Tribal Museum, Bhopal
The culture and lifestyle of the tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh are displayed in a museum that was created in 2013 by the Department of Culture. The Tribal Museum has five galleries that depict the five major tribal groups of the state, namely Gond, Bhil, Korku, Baiga, and Sahariya.
Location: Shyamla Hills, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) - 462002,
Timings: 12 pm to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)
Cost of entry: Rs 10 for Indians; Rs 100 for foreigners
8. Napier Museum, Thiruvananthapuram
The Napier Museum is a museum that displays the art, culture, and history of Kerala. The Maharaja of Travancore established it in 1855 and it was named after Lord Napier, the former Governor of Madras. The museum has a distinctive architectural style that blends traditional Kerala, Mughal, Chinese, and Gothic elements.
Location: LMS Vellayambalam Rd, near Museum Junction, Kanaka Nagar, Nanthancodu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033
Timings: 10 am to 4:30 pm (closed on Mondays and national holidays)
Cost of entry: Rs 20 for Indians; Rs 200 for foreigners
9. Partition Museum, Amritsar
The Partition Museum is a museum that remembers the division of India and Pakistan in 1947 and its consequences. The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust established it in 2017. The museum’s goal is to conserve and share the stories, memories, and experiences of the millions of people who were impacted by the partition.
Location: Hall Rd, Town Hall, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143006
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Cost of entry: Rs 10 for Indians; Rs 250 for foreigners
10. Don Bosco Museum, Shillong
The Don Bosco Centre is a museum and a research centre that displays the culture and lifestyle of the native people of North East India. The Salesians of Don Bosco established it in 2003. The museum has seven floors with different themes, such as prehistory, language, religion, agriculture, crafts, etc.
Location: Mawlai Phudmuri, Mawlai Mawdatbaki, Shillong, Meghalaya 793008
Timings: 9 am to 4:30 pm (closed on Sundays)
Cost of entry: Rs 50 for Indians; Rs 100 for foreigners
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