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Delhi, being the capital city of India, is definitely one such place that comes to the top of the list of heritage places. This rich heritage has been harnessed not just by events or people but through the ages. This makes the city host to some of the most exciting museums in India, all capturing glimpses of its sundry legacy. These museums in Delhi describe the past, present, and future of this country from ancient artefacts to modern contemporary art. Whether one is a history lover, art enthusiast, or simply interested in the cultural evolution of India, Delhi’s museums make for a rich experience that caters to all interests.
Top Ten Best Museums In Delhi
There are several historical and culturally diverse museums in Delhi. Each of these museums has its uniqueness, whether it is historical artefacts, ancient manuscripts, or just plain contemporary art and science exhibits. Here, we present the ten best museums that you must explore.
1. National Museum
Photo: Miya.m / Wikimedia Commons
The National Museum in Delhi is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in India. It exhibits a walkthrough of 5,000 years of Indian history and culture through more than 200,000 works of art, dating from ancient times to medieval and even contemporary art. Here, one can walk through the galleries of the Harappan Civilization and antiquities of Central Asia, among many others. It’s simply a must-see for any history enthusiast or for those interested in India’s cultural heritage.
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Location: Janpath Road, New Delhi
How To Reach: The metro is probably the easiest way to get here, with Central Secretariat Station (Yellow Line) located nearest to the museum. Autos and buses are also easily available
2. National Gallery Of Modern Art (NGMA)
Photo: Gryffindor / Wikimedia Commons
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is a prestigious establishment holding collections of modern Indian contemporary art. These rich, permanent collections are housed in Jaipur House, this new regal building, of artworks by some of the most cherished names in Indian art, such as Raja Ravi Varma, Rabindranath Tagore, and Amrita Sher-Gil. The museum does not only serve as a display site for permanent collections but also as a temporary exhibition centre for intermittent exhibitions, workshops, and lectures that make the institution vibrant and a hub for art and culture connoisseurs.
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Location: Jaipur House, India Gate, New Delhi
How To Reach: The nearest metro station would be Khan Market (Violet Line). It is just a short distance walk from India Gate, so easily accessible by car or auto-rickshaw
3. Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum is housed in her former residence. The history of her life and times is depicted through the display of personal items, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other such chronicles of the lady: poignantly interesting. However, its characteristic feature is an area that has been left as it was when this woman leader was assassinated. It gives a space for reflection on how she contributed to the history and politics of the country.
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Location: 1 Safdarjung Road, New Delhi
How To Reach: The closest metro station would be Jor Bagh, which is on the Yellow Line
4. National Rail Museum
Photo: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons
National Rail Museum, New Delhi: Of keen interest to historians and train enthusiasts, this museum holds an extremely large collection of vintage locomotives, carriages, and railway memorabilia showcasing the history of the Indian railways. Toy train rides for children are the main attraction here. The infrastructure and facilities have been set up to see and learn with provision for several interactive exhibits and educational programs, making it an engaging visit for families.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Location: Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
How To Reach: Close to Dhaula Kuan Metro Station on the Pink Line, it can also be reached by bus and car, with on-site parking
5. Gandhi Smriti
Photo: Matt Stabile / Wikimedia Commons
Another important historical place in Delhi is the Gandhi Smriti, dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. The museum is located at the place where he spent the last 144 days of his life and ultimately met his death. It provides a close view of life and philosophies followed by Mahatma Gandhi. One can picture the contributions made to the independence movement of India by him and the legacy left behind as the Father of the Nation through the pictures, relics, and multimedia display in the museum.
Timings: 10 AM – 6:30 PM
Location: 5 Tees January Marg, New Delhi
How To Reach: Lok Kalyan Marg metro station (Yellow Line) is the nearest
6. Shankar’s International Dolls Museum
Photo: Piotrus / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
An interesting storehouse of more than 6,000 culturally rich dolls from across the world. Shankar’s International Dolls Museum was founded by the apical cartoonist Padmashree K. Shankar Pillai and is divided into thematic sections of various continents of the world that hold culture and heritage from that land in terms of traditional costumes, festivals, and folklore. The Indian section is really impressive, where one can lively have a tour of different states by looking at the dolls wearing regional costumes.
Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi
How To Reach: The ITO metro station on the Violet Line is the nearest one
7. Crafts Museum
Photo: Yann / Wikimedia Commons
The Crafts Museum, known otherwise as the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, is a colourful testimony to India’s traditional crafts. One can see a large collection of textiles, pottery, woodwork, and the like that display the rich artistic value of India. The live craft demonstrations by the craftsmen, the full village complex one can tour, and buying valuable handcrafted items from the museum shop are some of the activities that can be packed together at the museum.
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Location: Pragati Maidan, Bhairon Marg, New Delhi
How To Reach: It’s a stone’s throw from the Pragati Maidan metro station on the Blue Line
8. National Science Centre
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
The National Science Centre in Delhi is the centre pertaining to scientific learning and exploration, unravelling the whole range of hands-on science exhibits from aspects of space exploration to ancient Indian science. The museum is designed to entertain visitors of different ages and has a gallery on prehistoric life, a human biology exhibit, and a popular 3D show. This is a very useful place for students, families, and people who want to explore the wonders of science and technology.
Timings: 9:30 AM – 6 PM
Location: Near Gate No. 1, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
How To Reach: A walking distance from Pragati Maidan metro station on the Blue Line
9. Sulabh International Museum Of Toilets
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets could certainly pass as one of the most bizarre museums in Delhi, dedicated to the history of sanitation and hygiene. It encompasses the development of toilets and sanitation practices, ranging from the ancient days to now, and showcases different models, pictures, and artefacts that are both educative and humorous, therefore so catchy for anybody interested in social history and public health. This is a unique museum that showcases the evolution of toilets and sanitation practices through the ages. It offers an informative, often funny glance at hygiene throughout history.
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Location: Palam Dabri Marg, New Delhi
How To Reach: The nearest metro station is Dwarka Sector 9 on the Blue Line
10. Nehru Planetarium
Photo: Analizer / Wikimedia Commons
Nehru Planetarium in Delhi is one of the famous places among space enthusiasts and families. Belonging to the historic Teen Murti House, the planetarium has a wide variety of interactive exhibits and regular sky shows that display the whole world’s universe in an interactive approach. It also organizes workshops on astronomy and delivers lectures, thus making it educative for people of all ages. If you are a true enthusiast of space science and astronomy, the planetarium is a place worth visiting.
Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM
Location:Teen Murti House, New Delhi
How To Reach: The nearest metro station is Lok Kalyan Marg on the Yellow Line
Museums in Delhi are not just bevies of history, but actually vibrantly throbbing centers of culture and learning. Every museum offers a different insight into India’s magnificent heritage from ancient to modern. From getting into the intricacies of artistry at the National Gallery of Modern Art, understanding how the Indian Railways came into being or reflecting upon the legacy that Gandhi left behind for humanity. Plan tour trip now with TripXL and discover the hidden gems of Indian history.
Cover Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
