Must Visit Museums in Delhi

Also known as the National Museum of India, this museum in Delhi is one of the largest museums in India, situated on the corner of the Janpath and Maulana Azad Road. Established in 1949, the blueprints of the majestic repository were prepared by the Gwyer Committee set up by the Government of India in 1946. The museum also houses National Museum Institute of the History of Arts, Conservation and Museology which was added as a different section in 1983.

Located in Chanakyapuri, the Rail Museum aims to preserve the 163 years old railway heritage of India. Popularly known as the National Railway Museum, it houses around 100 real size exhibits of Indian railways both working and static, antiques, furniture and the like. A few dummy specimen also offer rides to both adults and kids. Other than the vast outdoor which houses the very famous ‘Fairy Queen’- the oldest working steam locomotive, now the museum has also facilitated 3D virtual train ride, steam loco stimulator and an indoor gallery.

Gandhi Smriti is one of the most famous museums in Delhi. A memorial to Mahatama Gandhi, it is housed in the former residence of the industrialist BD Birla. Gandhiji was assassinated here while he was on his way to offer his daily evening prayers. The museum houses a huge collection of photographs and other personal memorabilia. A multi-media show is held every day at 1 PM.

Located at 26 Alipur Road, the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial is located at the site where he breathed his last. The unique museum is designed in the shape of a book depicting the constitution and is spread across 2 acres. Some of the highlights are a musical fountain, a replica of the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath, and a 12-foot high bronze statue. The life and journey of Dr Ambedkar is captured beautifully through varied artefacts and exhibits.

India is a country of art lovers, and National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA) is no less than heaven for them. Following its motto of delivering an excellent world of art to its visitors, National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi, preserves paintings and other artistic pieces dating back to 1850s. NGMA at Delhi is the main museum located in the Jaipur House. It was established on March 29, 1954, by the Indian Government.

Popularly known as the Crafts Museum, this museum in Delhimuseum in Delhi is a colourful amalgamation of the diverse culture and rich traditions of our country. Located in the far corner of the magnanimous Pragati Maidan in Delhi, the museum is a centre to exhibit varied specimens in handicrafts, textile and local decor. Designed by the prominent architect Charles Correa, the museum is currently under the management of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

Situated in the Children’s Book Trust Building at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is a veritabel dreamland for kids. Shankar's Museum is one among the most popular tourist attractions of the city; the idea behind the museum was conceptualized by the famous cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai. Segregated into two sections, the repository has over 160 shelves full of dolls from all across the world.

Housed within the premises of the grand Teen Murti Bhavan in Delhi, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library is an autonomous institution established in the memory of the first Prime Minister of India- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Founded in 1964, after the death of Pandit Nehru, with an aim to foster research and preserve the modern and contemporary history and the Indian Independence Movement, the museum is currently managed and maintained by Department of Culture, Government of India.

Established in 1992 the National Science Centre is a science museum located in Delhi. This museum in Delhi is definitely a treat for all those kids who love science and even for those who don't! There are several lectures, exhibitions and competitions that are held here apart from the regular exhibits like heritage and dinosaurs, science games, activities, human biology, fun science library.
Timings - 10 am to 5 pm everyday
Connectivity - The closest metro station is the Central Secretariat station

Located at Anandagram, within the Sankriti Kala Kendra Complex in Mehrauli area of South Delhi, Sanskriti Museums had been established in 1990 by O.P. Jain. With an objective to preserve indigenous heritage and culture by curating, promoting and documenting everyday objects of art and craft, the museums are a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Housed in a beautiful farmhouse, the complex also has functional workshops, live art studio and the residence of the artisans.

Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum is dedicated to the former Prime Minister of India. It is housed in the former residence of Indira Gandhi herself. The museum has a vast collection of rare photographers and personal belongings of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum is one of the most sought after and one of the most awed museums in all of Delhi, Located inside the premises of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the museum was inaugurated in 2014 by the then President of India Pranab Mukherjee. The depository showcases invaluable artefacts and exquisite products for the lovers of art, culture and history. The complex is situated alongside Circuit 2 within the compound and has been further segregated into three sections- The Clock Tower, The Stables and The Garage.

Dedicated to Mahatama Gandhi, this museum is located at Rajghat. Gandhiji's philosophy is projected through picture, sculpture and photos. His life and philosophy of Sarvodaya Movement are also shown through a film in English and Hindi between 9:30 AM till 5:30 PM except on Thursday. On Sunday, it is featured in Hindi at 4 PM and at 5 PM in English.

Home to umpteen monuments of historical importance, awe-striking places of heritage and breathtakingly beauteous locales, Delhi always has yet more new surprises in store. One such asset is Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, built in 1992 by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (a social activist) and titled as one of the weirdest museums in the world by Time magazine.

The Air Force Museum in Delhi houses a collection of armoury and aeroplanes that shows the history of the Indian Air Force. It is located in the Delhi Cantonment area. The museum is split into different viewing galleries and features photographs, uniforms, vintage personal weapons and other Air Force Memorabilia.

The National Philatelic Museum is located inside Dak Bhawan on Connaught Place. The post office has an outlet for people interested in Indian stamps and houses an extensive collection. The first stamp issued in India by the Sindh Dak (1854) can also be found here. 

Charkha Museum is one of the latest additions to the wonderful assets of Delhi. Constructed in collaboration with KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission), the museum in Delhi highlights the importance of great heritage of Indian Charkha. Inaugurated on 27th May 2017, the museum is built atop the underground Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place opposite the Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan.

Located in the urban alleys of DLF Phase 3 in Gurugram, this museum in Delhi is a unique vintage cameras museum showcasing analogue still and video cameras, over a century old. The eccentric repository is a private venture and the brainchild of the Indian photographer Aditya Arya. At this age and time, when all of our lives are revolving around social media and Instagram news feed, the museum is a perfect representation of our digital lifestyles.

Located in the Naubat Khana within the premises of the historic Red Fort in Delhi, this museum in Delhi was built with an objection to paying tribute and respect to the Indian soldiers who fought in the war on behalf of the country. Spread over two floors, the galleries are accessorized to depict the military history of India with arms, weapons, variety of daggers, chest armours and other objects of war. The first gallery has a brilliant miniature model of the war scene between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi.

Located within the premises of Purana Qila, in New Delhi, Museum of Archaeology displays exhibits, most of which were excavated at Purana Qila itself by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1955 and between 1969 and 1973. One of the most fascinating and popular museums of India, the depository is situated on the upper floor of the fort right next to the entrance. The collection of articles and relics at the museum are excavations which are the evidence of earliest settlements in the city dating back to 1000 BC.

Situated within the Saket District Centre in New Delhi, this museum in Delhi is the first private museum in India dedicated to contemporary and modern arts. Established in 2010, the museum has a centre in Noida as well. Sprawling over an area of 18000 square feet, the repository mostly has the art collection from the 20th-century painters. However, it also features the young and contemporary talents. The idea of the museum has been inspired from similar depositories in the US- Guggenheim, MoMA, and the Whitney.

The Tibet House Museum located at Lodhi Road in Delhi is dedicated to Tibetan art and culture. It houses a collection of thangkas, prayer objects, books and over 5000 volumes of manuscripts. Spread across five-floor, this museum was founded by  His Holiness Dalai Lama.