Museums in Delhi; Treasure Troves of Indian Heritage and Culture

The Crafts Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art, and the National Museum offer diverse collections of arts and crafts spanning millennia, providing invaluable insights into India’s ingenious history. 

Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, a sustainable art and craft advocate, or an explorer, the museums in Delhi will offer an enriching and unforgettable experience. 

The world is full of museums, where historians, students, researchers, and the general public visit to examine a nation’s cultural heritage closely. Some of the most unique museums are in Delhi alone, which tourists and travelers visit from far and wide.

Are there many Museums in Delhi?

You will be thrilled to know that there are more than 14,000 museums in India, out of which 30 are in Delhi alone. Today we shall cover the most famous museums in New Delhi and know all the fascinating history behind their establishment.

Here’s a list of museums in Delhi, out of these we will cover the ones which are a must-visit.

• Air Force Museum
• Craft Museum
• Dr Ambedkar National Memorial
• Election museum
• Gandhi Museum
• Gandhi Smriti Museum
• Ghalib Museum and Library
• Indira Gandhi Memorial
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
• Metro Museum
• National Agricultural Science Museum.
• National Gallery of Modern Art
• National Children’s Museum
• National Philatelic Museum
• National Police Museum
• National Science Center Museum
• National Rail Museum
• National War Memorial
• Nehru Museum and Planetarium
• Purana Quila Museum
• Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra
• Sangeet Natak Academy
• Sanskriti Kendra Terracotta & Metal Museum
• Shankar’s International Dolls Museum Musical
• Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
• Supreme Court of India Museum
• Tibet House Museum
• Zakir Hussain Museum

National Crafts Museum: The largest museum for arts and handicrafts in India, the National Crafts Museum is a rich display of tradition and modernity. 

Situated next to the iconic Purana Quila, Pragati Maidan, this museum was designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa. 

For genuine art appreciators, this place is heaven. You can find invaluable paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, and textiles here. 

You can also visit the live performances of artists coming from various states in India. 

• Location-Bhairon Road, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• Timing:
• Galleries- 10 AM to 5 PM (Monday closed)
• Crafts Demonstration Area- 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Everyday)
• Administration and Library- 10 AM to 5 PM (Second Saturday and Sunday Closed)
• Museum Shop- 9:30 AM to 5 PM (Everyday)
• Closed– Monday and National Holidays.
• Attractions– Indian Handicrafts, Wood Carvings, Metalware, Paintings, Architecture, Artisans at work, Cafe Lota 

Ghalib Academy: Established in 1969 by Late Dr. Zakir Hussain, the museum was founded in honor of renowned Urdu poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib. 

This museum is the best museum in Delhi for poetry lovers, writers, filmmakers, and general admirers of Mirza Ghalib.

Here you can see displays, statues, books, statues, and significant documents from his era and a dedicated gallery, showcasing works by renowned artists such as Satish Gujral, M. F. Hussain, and more.

Location: Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi

Timing: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Closed: Sunday

Attractions: Poetry, Books, Paintings

The building of the NGMA was once the residence of the royal maharajs of Jaipur. Art admirers, especially visit this institution and other museums in Delhi, to see antique paintings some of which are around 150 years old, artifacts, and other invaluable relics dating from the 19th to the 20th century. 

Location: Jaipur House, India Gate, Near Delhi High Court, New Delhi

Timing: 10:00 AM To 5:00 PM

Closed: Monday

Attractions: More than 100-year-old paintings and antiques

Shankar’s International Doll Museum: It won’t be wrong to say that the doll museum in Delhi is among the must-visit museums in Delhi. 

Imagine entering a space, full of 7000 plus dolls and figurines from 85 countries. The India exhibit consists of 500 dolls, decked up in various kinds of dressed worn across India.

Entering the doll museum is like stepping into a room full of vibrant colors, frills, cute little people, and a blast of art and culture. The museum was established by the revered cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai. 

He was a doll collector and set up this beautiful wonderland of a museum in Delhi as an expression of cultural depictions from around the world.

Location: Nehru House, 4, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5.30 PM

Closed: Monday.

Ticket: Adult: Rs.15/-, Child: Rs. 5/-

Attractions: 7000 plus costumed dolls, 500 Indian exhibit dolls

It is one of the top museums in Delhi when it comes to the exhibition of true displays of myriads of dance art forms and music. 

Some of the world’s best dance and music performances are organized here. 

Over fifty years, the academy has curated hundreds of artifacts, musical instruments, masks, accessories, puppets, and collectibles. 

Sangeet Natak Academy is among the best places to visit in Delhi and tourists flock here for a true musical experience. 

Location: Rabindra Bhavan, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi

Timing: 9:30 AM To 6:00 PM

Closed: Saturday & Sunday

Attractions: Dance shows, musical shows, plays, exhibitions

Gandhi Smriti Museum: This museum as the name suggests is ‘in the memory of the father of the nation’ and is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and is the place where he spent the last 144 days of his life. 

At the Gandhi Smriti Museum, visitors can see exhibits on Gandhi’s life, philosophy, and contribution to India’s independence movement. The building was formerly the house of the famous industrialist BD Birla.

This place is also famous for the historic occurrence of Gandhi Ji’s assassination. 

Location: 5, Tees January Lane, Birla House, New Delhi.

Timing: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Closed: Monday

Attractions: Gandhi’s assassination site, books, photographs, multi-media show

A.P.J. Abul Kalam Memorial: Kalam Memorial was inaugurated at Dilli Haat, INA on July 30, 2016, to keep the heritage of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam alive in the heart of every Indian. 

This keepsake is a befitting evidence of our undying love for the’ People’s President’ as he was fondly called. Devoted to Kalam sir and every child of India, the museum is an inspiration to a score of callers, especially youthful minds.

Kalam Memorial is one of the best science museums in Delhi, as it showcases and applauds the brilliant inventions and contributions of Dr. Kalam in the field of science. 

Location: Dilli Haat, INA, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Opposite INA Market, Entry from Gate No. 2

Timings:11:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Closed: (Monday Closed)

Entry: Free

Nehru Museum and Planetarium: After the former prime minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru’s death, his residence was converted into a museum, and in another section, a dedicated planetarium was set up. It is formally known as the Teen Murti Bhavan.

The museum is a great place to learn about chacha Nehru’s life, his contribution to India’s independence, and his interest in the study of planets. 

Nehru Museum is popular among researchers, school kids, and science enthusiasts. Various shows, events, and exhibitions are held at this museum from time to time.

Location: Teen Murti Bhavan, Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi

School Events: 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM

Additional shows on Sundays and holidays in Hindi: 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Hindi Shows: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Attractions: Photograph Gallery, Nehru’s Study and Library, Newspaper Clippings from the Independence Movement

Entry: 50 to 60 INR for adults and 30- 40 INR for children and students. 

Metro Museum: The Delhi Metro Museum, offers a fascinating glimpse into the inception, development, and operations of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). 

It is the first museum of its kind in South Asia, it provides an immersive and holistic experience for locals and tourists seeking information and insights into urban transit systems.

Metro Museum is one of those museums in Delhi, which proves how much research and development are valued in India. 

Visitors can get glimpses into the conceptualization to the construction process of the Delhi metro was undertaken.

Other things to see at museums in Delhi like the metro museum are: Various parts used in the metro train, technical designs, models, maps, and much more.

Location: Patel Chowk Metro Station, on the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro

Timings: The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. 

Closed: It is closed on Mondays and national holidays. 

Attractions: Technical maps, designs, metro models, plans 

Entry: INR 8/-

Sulabh International Museum of Toilets: Considered one of the weirdest museums in Delhi and also worldwide, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is one of the 10 museums around the world that are nothing mundane. 

At the museum, you can see various displays and understand the history and concept of sanitization from ancient times. 

Location: RZ-83, Sulabh Bhavan, Mahavir Enclave, Palam-Dabri

Marg. New Delhi.

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Closed: Sunday

Entry: Free

Attractions: Exploring various toilet and sanitization systems used since ancient times

Some Interesting Facts About the Museums in Delhi:

1. Most of the museums in Delhi hold rare and unique collections, which can’t be found in any other part of the country.
2. The entry fee for many museums in Delhi is nominal or free of cost, to enable more and more people to visit these institutions.
3. All the museums in Delhi have a rich history. 
4. Most of the museums in Delhi are established in ancient buildings with major historical significance. 
5. Museums in Delhi have more than 2,00,000 invaluable artifacts and collectibles. 
6. Some of the museums in Delhi are the largest in India.

• Admiring the historical heritage of India.
• Appreciating arts and crafts.
• Gathering knowledge about various renowned personalities from different fields, such as politicians, artists, and scientists.
• Understanding how unique technical and infrastructural systems work.
• Researching on various subjects.
• Getting glimpses into the glorious past of India.
• Visiting art galleries and clicking photographs.
• Buying authentic handicrafts and paintings.

How to Reach Museums in Delhi?

Delhi being the national capital, has great modes of transportation for the general public.

All the museums in Delhi are thoughtfully built, and their location is easily accessible via Metro, Bus, Taxi, and Cars. 

So depending upon your location, you can easily opt for any of the modes of transportation and reach the best museums in New Delhi.

What are the best times for museums in Delhi?

The best times to visit museums in Delhi are in the morning hours from 10:00 AM on weekdays, as these places will be less crowded. Avoid going on public holidays as most of the museums are closed.

Some Tips For Visiting Museums in Delhi:

1. Museums in Delhi are formal places, where artifacts of great value are displayed, therefore maintain decorum, and behave appropriately.
2. Avoid touching anything without prior permission.
3. Avoid photography without prior permission.
4. Do not carry any eatables in museums in Delhi, and refrain from littering the premises. 
5. Make sure you reach on time, to avoid disturbing others and spoiling your routine.
6. Gather proper information about the entry time and entry fee of various museums in Delhi. 
7. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, so that you can focus well on the subject. 
8. Be respectful towards the museums in Delhi, as these are heritage sites and have great historical importance.
9. Maintain silence and keep your phones on silent mode, when on the premises. 
10. Inquire about the parking system in whichever museums in Delhi you are visiting, so that you can pick the mode of transport accordingly.