Museums Delhi
The National Museum on Janpath -- It is the premier repository of antiquities. Built in 1960, it has an extraordinary collection representing the entire span of Indian civilization from pre-historic times. Its galleries include finds from the Indus Valley Civilization, superb sculptures in stone, and bronzes from the Chola period, the largest collection of miniature paintings in the world, manuscripts, a Buddhist Gallery, including relics of the Buddha from Piprahwa, the exquisite Jewellery Gallery, the Anthropological Gallery of tribal art; galleries devoted to decorative and applied arts, Maritime
Heritage and Pre-Columbian art, and the Central Asian Antiquities, Gallery of Auriel Stein's finds along the ancient Silk Route (the great murals however, are on display at the adjacent Archaeological Survey of India).
The National Gallery of Modern Art -- Housed in the residence of Jaipur's former maharajas has a superb collection of paintings dating from 150 years ago to the present day. Company School paintings of the 19th and early 20th centuries and the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy and Amrita SherGil hold pride of place amidst exhibits, which give an overview of the evolution of modern Indian paintings and sculpture. The National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art periodically organize special exhibitions.
The Rail Transport Museum - It is a must for rail buffs. Its vintage display includes the oldest locomotive in the world-still working; the Vice regal Dinning Car (1889) and the Prince of Wales Saloon (1876). Children can enjoy a ride on the miniature rail track located in the south of Delhi close to the diplomatic area of Chanakayapuri it traces, through exhibits, the 140 year-old history of the Indian Railways. The museum, established in 1977, and spread over a ten-acre area, is the first of its kind in India.
Timings: summer 0830 to 1130 and 1600 to 1730 hours, winter: 0900 to 1730 hours.
It is closed on Mondays.
National Rail Museum -- It was built as per plan of British architect M G Satto on 1957, 1st Feb, on the carpet area of 10 acres of land. The museum displays 27 locomotives and 17 carriage. The saloon car of the Maharaja of Baroda (1886), the carriage of the Maharaja of Mysore made of teak covered with ivory; the cabin of the Prince of Wales (1876), the carriage in which the ashes of Gandhiji was carried in 1948; Fairy Queen of 1855 (oldest steam engine in the world); evolution of Indian Rail from steam engine to present era are vividly displayed. Even, the skull of an elephant who struck a Mail train in 1894, with his head is also projected here in the exhibition. The Toy train is running - you may buy here as a souvenir of your visit. Restaurant and Libraries are also there.
The Nehru Memorial Museum - Located at Teen Murti House where Jawaharlal Nehru lived for 16 years till his death in 1964. Its special charm is that the rooms have been preserved as they were. Not far from here is the Indira Gandhi Memorial where one gets a glimpse of the life of the late Prime Minister.
Indira Memorial Museum -- Another national museum has been built at 1 Safdarjung Rd in memoriam of Indira Gandhi, on May 27, 1985. Her own bodyguard assassinated Indira Gandhi on 31 Oct 1984. A glass cage has covered the spot where her body fell down. Before being bullet sprayed in from point blank range, Indira was on her way along the garden road out of her
residence. At that place Czechoslovak Govt made a artificial water flow by crystal on steel plate of 33´25 m. The crystal stream on the steel plate is designed and planned by the Czech architect Jaroslav Mirich. 3 rooms are full with articles, which were in use by Indira. Photographs of Indira are also there. The bloodstained sari and other dress materials of Indira are chemically preserved in the museum. You may go inside the private chambers to view reading room, dinning room, Dewan-i-Aam, Dewan-i-Khas etc.
Except Monday open everyday from 10-00 to 17-00
The Gandhi Memorial Museum - It has a collection of memorabilia on Mahatma Gandhi.
Dolls Museum -- Shankar's International Dolls Museum was founded in 1954. More than 6000 Variety representing almost 85 countries of the world is on display in the museum. Dolls of Japan deserve special mention. However, 1/3 of total dolls are Indian - Indian cultural and the cultural life style has been projected in the fashions of dolls. Besides, there is B C Roy Children's Library and children's play corner. The doll museum is situated at Nehru House close to Income Tax Office at Bahadur Sah Zafar Marg near Delhi Gate.
Timing : Except Monday open every day from 10-00 to 17-00
The Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan has galleries displaying India's rich tradition of handicrafts. An added attraction is the presence of craftsperson who are bought here from different parts of the country to demonstrate their skills.
National Museum of Natural History -- In this central part of the city are also located in the FICCI building, Mandi House. Huge dinosaur and birds of pre historic ages are depicted National Museum of Natural History. The Discovery Room also appreciable.
View the film show from 11-30 to 15-30.
Open daily at 10-00 to 17-00
No ticket is required
Tel: 3314849
The Tibet House Museum on Lodi Road has a fine collection of tankhas, jewellery and ritual objects. En route to Old Delhi are the Shankar's Dolls Museum of Archeology related to the Mughal era, and the Museum of Arms and Weapons which traces the development of arms from the Mughal age to the First World War.
National science museum - The science museum next to the Pragati maidan, is a great place for both kids & adults to learn and decipher the various mysteries of life through science.
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