“Don’t go to a museum with a destination. Museums are wormholes to other worlds.”
These are the words of Jerry Saltz, a revered columnist and art critic. He has rightly described museums as portals that take us on journeys across time and unveil for us the secrets of other ages. India is a country rich in heritage, and museums dotting its landscape are a peek into these treasures. With 2023 International Museum Day just around the corner, we bring you a list of famous museums in India that you can visit for an insight into the country’s cultural treasures. Some peculiar and strange museums have also been added to this list. Check these out.
Top Most Unusual Museums In India
Indian Museum, Kolkata
Indian Museum is one of the best museums to visit in India. Also one of the oldest museums in the country, it boasts one of the most extensive collections you can find, depicting the history of India from prehistoric times to very recent. It has sections devoted to industry, art, zoology, archaeology, ethnology and art. Carpets, pottery, glass, textiles and statues belonging to various Asian civilisations are artefacts you can admire on your visit.
Timings: Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 am to 08:00 pm
Closed on: Mondays
Entry fee for adults: Rs. 50
Nearest metro station: Park Street (450 m)
National Rail Museum, New Delhi
The first-of-its-kind museum in India, National Rail Museum has the country’s largest collection of railways and related artefacts. It displays locomotives and coaches from various states of the Indian subcontinent. The museum has something for people of all ages. From riding different trains to coming across artefacts of the history of railways in India, you can do it all here.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (entry closes at 4:30 pm)
Closed on: Mondays
Entry fee for adults: Rs. 50 for weekdays and ₹100 for weekends
Nearest metro station: Sir Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh (1.6 km)
Shivalik Fossil Park Museum, Himachal Pradesh
This museum in Himachal is among the most famous museums in India and has a vast collection of skeletons and fossils of prehistoric animals. These animals were known to be the natives of Shivaliks and surrounding geological formations. Tourists visiting this museum will find lifesize models of several extinct mammals and animals made of resins and fibreglass.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed on: Tuesdays
Kite Museum, Ahmedabad
For all the kite lovers, Ahmedabad is fascinated with the Kite Museum. If you haven’t visited it yet, you a missing out a lot. Among the top museums in India, the Kite museum tells its visitors about the origin of kites, development in kite makings and various kite flying techniques.
Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry fee: Nil
Nearest Metro Station: Paldi Metro Station
Island Museum, Andhra Pradesh
The Island Museum is a unique museum designed in the shape of a Buddhist Vihara. The museum displays the remnants and culture of Buddhism. The unique collection of this museum consists of a tooth and an earring which is believed to be of Gautam Buddha. You will experience serenity and closeness to Bhagwan Buddha as soon as you enter this museum.
Timings: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Closed on: Fridays
Entry fee: Rs. 2
Calico Museum of Textiles, Ahmedabad
Calico Museum of Textiles is among the must-see museums in India. The Sarabhai Foundation galleries, comprised of the Calico Museum of Textiles, are among the most celebrated such institutions in the world. Its highlights include Pichhwai, bronze, Indian miniature paintings, Jain art and more.
Timings: 10.15 am to 12.30 pm and 2.45 pm to 4.30 pm
Closed on: Wednesdays
Entry fee: Nil
Nearest bus stop: Shahibaug Underbridge (140 m)
Sulabh International Museum of Toilet, Delhi
Sulabh is counted among the most famous international museums in India. It is quite a peculiar place, and you may have already guessed from the name. It is all things toilet. The founder of this museum, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, has put a chronological account of all things related to the toilet.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed on: Sunday
Entry fee: Nil
Nearest metro station: Dashrathpuri (550 m)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a sight to behold from outside and within. While the Indo-Saracenic architecture of the edifice impresses, at first sight, the impressive collection appeases as you step in. Founded in the early 20th century, it is also one of the oldest museums in India. It has a remarkable collection of about 50000 artefacts encompassing everything from bronzes, miniature paintings and sculptures to terracotta, porcelain and ivory.
Timings: 10:15 am to 6:00 pm
Closed on: Open all days
Entry fee for adults: Rs. 85
Nearest bus stop: Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk (200 m)
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Archaeological Museum, Ahmedabad
Archaeological Museum is one of the unique museums in India. While others bring artefacts to you, this one takes you to a historical site where you can behold a living piece of history. It is one of the most excavated sites belonging to the Harappan civilisation. The site dates back almost 4500 years, giving you an insight into the local way of life during that time.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed on: Friday
Entry fee for adults: Rs. 5
Naval Aviation Museum, Goa
Naval Aviation Museum in Goa is the Smithsonian Museum of India, loved by adults and children. On your next Goa trip, visit the museum and learn about naval aviation history. Swathes of historians and aviation enthusiasts flock to the museum annually to admire its incredible collection.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed on: Mondays
Entry fee for adults: Rs. 30
National Museum, Delhi
Delhi is a hub of museums that offer a glimpse into the rich history of India, and a part of this list is the famed National Museum, which is among the largest and most popular museums in India. Its collection includes arms, armours and decorative pieces to jewellery, manuscripts and paintings. You will surely be astonished by the magnificent collection of the National Museum in Delhi.
Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closed on: Mondays
Entry fee for adults: Rs. 20
Nearest metro station: Udyog Bhawan (900 m)
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Jawahar Toy Museum, Pondicherry
If you like toys and everything fluffy and cuddly, then Jawahar Toy Museum should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Pondicherry. As you may have already guessed, the place is a hit among children and thus makes for a great site to visit during family outings. It has dozens and dozens of dolls collected from different parts of the country. Calling it one of the cutest museums in India, would not be an overstatement.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed on: Mondays
Entry fee for adults: Nil
Nearest bus stop: GH (550 m)
Shankar’s International Doll Museum, Delhi
Shankar’s International Doll Museum is a place that you would love to visit with your entire family. It is among the most popular museums in India among kids. This paradise for children is home to more than 6000 dolls curated from over 85 countries. The sheer number of dolls and their variety will leave you awe-struck when you visit this museum.
Timings: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Closed on: Monday
Entry fee for adults: Rs.15
Nearest metro station: ITO (2 m)
Read about: Best places in India to visit in May
May 18 is observed every year as International Museum Day. With 2023 International Day just around the corner, we urge you to break the misconception of museums being boring and pay a visit to one of these. You can book your cheap flight tickets and hotels with HappyEasyGo and celebrate the International Museum Day in a grand fashion.
