Top 10 Popular Museums in India

Top 10 Famous Museums in India  

A museum is an institution that stores a collection of historical, scientific, artistic and cultural interest to exhibit.

India’s rich culture, architectural beauty and heritage are well known in the world. To see the great insight into cultural heritage of India one must visit to these Indian museums. Museums of India are the best way to explore Indian culture, ritual beliefs, people, customs and traditions, ancient documents and its ancient history. Without paying a visit to any of these museums your India tour seems to be incomplete. We have brought you some of the following popular and famous museums of India.

1.   Indian Museum - The Indian Museum, Kolkata is the oldest and largest museum in India and one of the oldest museums of the world. It is categorized in six sections which has thirty five galleries of art, archaeology, anthropology, geology and economic botany.

 You can see the rare collection of armors, creative and scientific works,skeletons, Mughal paintings and ornaments

§  Established Year  -        1814

§  Location               -        Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata, West Bengal

§  Visiting hours       -        10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday Closed)

§  Entry Fee             -        Rs. 10 (Indian), 150 (Foreigners)

2.   National Museum New Delhi - This is one of the largest museums in India. One can see the variety of articles (around 200000 works of arts) from pre-historic era (5000 years back) to modern works of art. It has almost all departments they are pre historic archaeology, archaeology, paintings, manuscripts, antiquities, education, public relations. Decorative arts, pre-Columbian arts, jewellery, armors, anthropology and epigraphy

·     Established Year  -        1949

·        Location               -        Jan path, New Delhi

·        Visiting hours       -        10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs. 10 (Indian), 300 (Others), 1 (Students)

3.   Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad - The Salarjung museum is the third largest museum in India, situated at Darushifa on the bank of the Musi River in Hyderabad. This has an exclusive collection of textiles, paintings, sculptures, carving, metallic artifacts, carpets, clocks, and furniture. It has 38 galleries in its three blocks namely Central block, eastern block and western block that contains separate wings such as education wing, chemical conservation laboratory, photo sections etc.

·     Established Year  -        1951

·        Location               -        Hyderabad, Telangana

·        Visiting hours       -        10:00 AM to 5:00 PM ( Friday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs. 10 (Indian), 150 (foreigners)

4.   Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya, Mumbai - The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay which is also known as prince Wales Museum, is the main museum in Mumbai which was founded by the people of Mumbai in early 1900’s. It has 50000 artifacts approx which is categorized in three section; art, archaeology and natural history.

·     Established Year  -        1904

·        Location               -        Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai

·        Visiting hours       -        10:15 AM to 6:00 PM

·        Entry fee              -        Rs. 70 (Indian), 300 (foreigners)

5.   National Rail Museum Delhi - This museum has an excellent collection of Indian rail transportation. It has all collection of Indian rail since it started in India. The museum contains the models of train engines and coaches, old engines, history of railways in India and old pictures of trains in India. You can also enjoy the toy train ride to see the site.

·        Established Year  -        1977

·        Location               -        Chanakyapuri ,Delhi

·        Visiting hours       -        9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Monday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs. 20

6.   Government Museum Chennai - Government Museum Chennai is second oldest museum in India which is spreading to an area of 16.25 acres of land. The museum covers a variety of artifacts and diverse fields in its 46 galleries in its 6 different building. It has different sections for archaeology, numismatics, zoology, history and sculpture.

·        Established Year  -        1851

·        Location               -        Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai

·        Visiting hours       -        9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs. 15 (Indian), 250 (foreigners)

7.    Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur - Albert Hall Museum, also known as government central museum, is the oldest museum of Rajasthan situated in Ram Niwas garden Jaipur. The museum exhibits a collection of  arms and armors, pottery, international arts, metal arts, sculpture, ivory, jewellery, musical instruments, furniture and wooden art, ,carpets and marble arts.  

·        Established Year  -        1887

·        Location               -        Ramniwas Bagh, Jaipur, Rajasthan

·        Visiting hours       -        9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs. 100 (Indian), 400 (foreigners)

8.    Visvesvaraya Industrial and technological museum, Bangalore - The VITM was established in memory of Bharat Ratna Sir M Viswesvaraya which is also a unit of National council of science museums (NCM). It has numerous industrial products and engines.  The exhibition gallery of it includes engine hall, fun science, electronics, children science e gallery and electrotechnics.

·        Established Year  -        1962

·        Location               -        Kasturba Road, Bangalore, Karnataka

·        Visiting hours       -        10:00 AM to 6:00 PM 

·        Entry fee              -        Rs.  40

9.   The Victoria memorial hall Museum, Kolkata - The Victoria memorial hall was inaugurated in 1921 in memory of Queen Victoria. It has notable collection of weapons, coins, maps, Articrafts, textiles and sculptors. It has 25 galleries some them are royal gallery, sculpture gallery, armory gallery, the national leader gallery etc.  

·        Established Year  -        1921

·        Location               -        Queen’s way Kolkata, WB

·        Visiting hours       -        10:00 AM to 5:00 PM  (Monday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs.  10 (Indian), 150 (Foreigners)

10. Dr. Bhau Daji Led Museum Mumbai - This is the oldest museum of Mumbai which used be known as Victoria Museum and Albert museum. This has a huge collection of archaeological finds, maps of Mumbai, clay, models and cooper ware and costumes. 

·        Established Year  -        1855

·        Location               -        Mumbai Maharashtra

·        Visiting hours       -        10:00 AM to 5:00 PM  (Monday closed)

·        Entry fee              -        Rs.  10 (Indian), 100 (Foreigners)

For visiting these museums you can contact us or buy our ‘museum tour’  

Odhisha (Orissa) Tour

Holiday in Odisha  

There are some places in India that are special for tourism, and Odisha is one of them. Picturesque sites, exquisite temples, extraordinary monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, natural landscape of enchanting beauty of Odisha makes Odisha special.

There are still lots of undiscovered tourist’s destinations on this fascinating land and uncountable reasons to visit Orissa. Orissa has a unique combination of ancient land with a rich history, historical monuments, architecture, beautiful and unpolluted beaches, ancient temples, exotic culture, Traditional dance and music, sculpture and handicrafts, artistic heritage, tribal culture and warm and friendly people.

Where – Odisha (Orissa) is one of the 29 states of India located in east of India bordering states of West Bengal, Jharkhand Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It has 485 km of coastline along the Bay of Bengal on its east with virgin beaches. 

Lingaraj Temple

How to reach Odisha (Orissa) this is most asked question by tourists. Reaching Orissa is as easy as other destinations.

Air- the Bhubaneswar Airport, Known as Biju Patnaik Airport is well connected with the different parts of country such as Kolkata, New Delhi, Raipur and Mumbai. There are number of airlines that have departure and terminal points at this airport.

Train – travelling to Orissa by train is another way to enjoy the beauty of India. Orissa is well connected by train with almost all top major cities. Rajdhani Express, Konark Express and Coromondal Express are comfortable trains for tourists which run from Delhi.

 Places to visit in Odisha

1.     Bhubaneswar- Bhubaneswar is capital city of Odisha and famous for its Buddhists and Hindu Pilgrimage destinations. This city has old history and culture the great Kalinga war took place here between Emperor Asoka and Kalinga, the old emperor of Orissa. It is well planned city with wide roads, gardens and parks in modern days.

o   Parasurameswara Temple,

o   Mukteswar Temple,

o   Lingaraja Temple

o   Odisha State Museum,

o   Museum of Tribal Arts and Articrafts,

o   Nandankanan Zoological Park,

o   Udayagiri caves,

o   Dhauli Hill,

o   Satkosia tiger reserve,

o   Bindu sarovara, Kalinga stadium

o   Dhauli Hill

2.     Puri- Puri is located on the beach and is the Municipality of Orissa state. This is the land of Lord Jagannath and it’s known for its holiness and famous Jagannath Temple.

o   Jagannath Temple

o   Puri Beach

o   Chilika Lake and wild life sanctuary

o   Daya River

o   Awargdwar beach

o   Gundicha Ghar temple

o   Atharnala Bridge

o   Pippli

o   Raghurajpur

3.     Cuttack – Cuttack is also known as Millennium city, Silver city and business capital of Odisha. This was former capital of Odisha state and is more that thousand years old city. Its old city but has numerous attractions and is a combination of traditional and modern lifestyle.

Barabati Fort

o   Ansupa Lake

o   Singanatha temple

o   Netaji Birth place Museum

o   Maganandi Barrage

o   Barabati fort

o   Stone Revetment of Cuttack

4.     Rourkela - Rourkela is the 4^th largest city of odisha (Census Report of India 2011) it is home to largest steel plants in India and popularly known as Ispat or steel city of Odisha. It is 336 kms from Bhubaneswar and 227 kms from Ranchi (Capital city of Jharkhand state).

Ghoghar Dam

o   Ghoghar

o   Mandira Dam

o   Ushakothi

o   Badaghagra Falls

o   Green Park

o   Vedavyas temple

5.     Konark- Konark is a small town in Puri district in Odisha. It is 65 kms from Bhubaneswar and 35 kms from Puri by road. The Konark Sun temple was built in 13^th century here and is known as black pagoda.

Konark Temple

o   Sun temple

o   Archaeological site museum

o   Kuruma

oAstranga

o   Chandrbhaga Beach

Our experts can tailor make your odisha travel 

Buddhist Circuit in India

Buddha Tourism India 

“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done”- Gautama Buddha

India is known for its diversity of religious beliefs and practices. It is the spiritual land where world’s four major religions originated; they are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Lord Buddha was an Indian prince who was known as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, left all the worldly pleasure to attain the reality of life. Later he became Buddha which means ‘One who is awake’ means woken up to reality.Most of the Buddha’s chief took place in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and some part of Nepal. The well known places are Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Sravasti, Kushinagar and Ajanta caves.

The Buddhist Circuits - The Holy places of Buddhism are known as Buddhist circuit. Following places are famous and known for Buddhism. It is a journey through the austere stupa’s and ancient monasteries. The mystical chants of Buddhism mantras that will instantly transport you to thousands of years in the past, when a prince renounced all worldly pleasure to turn into an ascetic. These Buddha sites are known for Buddhism-:

1. Lumbini           :         The Birthplace of Lord Buddha
2. Bodh Gaya     :         Where he attained enlightenment
3.  Kapilvastu      :         Where he grew up
4. Sarnath          :         His first public discourse
5. Kaushambi    :         Where he delivered sermons
6. Sravasti         :         His monsoon resort
7. Kushinagar    :         Where he attained demise

The Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini and Kushinagar are the primary pilgrim places of Buddhist circuit

1.   Lumbini –Lumbini the birth place of Siddhartha Gautama who achieved nirvana and later he was known as Gautama Buddha founder of Buddhism. Lumbini is located at Rupandehi District of Nepal bordering by India. Lumbini is 476 kms from Bodh Gaya and 117 kms from Gorakhpur by road.

• Places to visit  – Maya Devi Temple (mother of Buddha), Bodhi tree, Ashoka Pillar (erected by emperor Ashoka in 249 BC), Myanmar Golden Temple, Mahabodhi society temple,  The Dharma Swami Maharaj Temple(built by the king Mustag), The Lumbini Budhha Vihar, The Japan Peace Stupa, the Lumbini museum, the Lumbini international research institute
• Nearest City  –  Bhairahawa, Kathmandu (Nepal), Faizabad, Gorakhpur
• How to plan   – Plan your journey with Minar Travels. We are experienced in managing these destinations that includes all Buddhist sites. Minar Travels is managing travelers from all countries for over 2 decades for Buddhist circuit.

2.   Sarnath- Sarnath is situated 10 kms away from Varanasi the famous Hindu pilgrimage city. Lord Buddha chose this place to deliver his first sermon. He preached his first discourse in deer park to his five companions. The celebrated Mantra, ‘Buddham Sharnam Gachhami’ owes its origin here. There are stupa’s which were erected by emperor Ashoka who visited here around 234 BC. This is the same place where Lord Buddha encountered his five companions of earlier his austerities. Lord Buddha taught his all five companion about Dharma and turned them to austere later they became a group (Sangham) who worked for spreading Buddhism.

• Places to visit- Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Mulagandhakuti Vihara,Jambu Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple.
• Nearest City – Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna
• How to plan- – Plan your journey with Minar Travels.

3.   Bodh Gaya – Bodh Gaya, A UNESCO world Heritage site, is the most important pilgrimage site among all four related to Gautama Buddha. It is said that Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha) reached on the bank of Falgu River (Near The city Gaya) around 530 BC.  There he sat under the Pippal Tree (which was known as Bodhi tree) for a meditation. Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Buddha spent some weeks at the different spots here later they became religious spot for Buddhists.

• Places to visit- The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Mahbodhi Stupa, Thai Monastery, Buddha Statue, Royal Bhutanese Monasterey, Japanese Temple, Museum, Phowa Center, Gendhen Phelgyeling Monastery, Barabar Caves, Taiwanese temple
• Nearest City – Gaya, Patna,Ranchi
• How to plan - – plan your journey with Minar Travels.

4.   Kushinagar - It is one of the important pilgrimages of Buddhists. Kushinagar is situated near Gorakhpur (56 kms) in Uttar Pradesh (India). It is believed that Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana here after his death. This is the place where Lord Buddha passed away and was cremated at the Ramabhar Stupa.

•  Places to visit- Nivana Temple, Nirvana Temple, Wat Thai Temple, Ramabhar stupa, Japanese Temple.
• Nearest City – Gorakhpur, Allahbad, Varanasi
• How to plan- Plan your journey with Minar Travels.