Nehru Planetarium, Delhi Overview

The Nehru Planetarium of New Delhi is located in the lush green grounds of the Teen Murti House. Built in the fond memory of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the grounds on which the planetarium was established is one of great historical significance since it was the residence of the late prime minister himself. The planetarium is brimming with information related to space and cosmology which is displayed in the form of splendid sound and visuals, making one feel almost at one with stars. There are regular interactive sessions, art competitions and stellar space equipment on display, making this place a massive hub of tourists.

Officially known as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, the museum was inaugurated in 1984 by former prime minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi. It was set up with the premise of promoting Science and Astronomy in India, of which Chacha Nehru himself was a staunch proponent. The establishment is well endowed with state-of-the-art telescopes, solar filters and projectors with which one can view almost 2 million stars and experience the vastness of outer space. Two standout attractions include the dome shaped Sky Theatre and the Soyuz T-10 capsule which carried India’s first cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma to space. The planetarium is thus inundated with almost 2 lakh visitors every year with the yearning to take a peek outside Earth.

History of Nehru Planetarium

Nehru Planetariums are a set of five planetariums which have been established in major cities of India, including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Prayagraj. The one in Delhi was inaugurated on 6 February 1984, by former prime minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi. The Jawahar Lal Nehru fund which was set up in 1964 to promote the ideas of the beloved leader, was used to set up this facility. The instruments as well as the informational content conveyed through various forms at the planetarium are constantly regulated and updated. The facility went under renovation and was reopened with brand new attractions in 2010, ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Owing to its magnificence, Nehru Planetarium was the recipient of the Queen’s Baton.

Things to Do in Nehru Planetarium

1. Attend Live Shows and Programs

The Planetarium organises a myriad of live shows and workshops for tourists. These programs have been regularly refurbished and are indispensable in imparting knowledge about astronomy to large audiences. The shows are fun and interactive, which piques the interest of students and novice astronomers from across the country. Additionally, astronomy quizzes and art competitions are held every year in February and August which one can participate in.

2. Visiting Sky Theatre

The Sky theatre is a dome-shaped theatre, which has been built in a way that replicates the sky, as it is visible to us. It is an iconic attraction which hosts several light and sound edutainment shows which gives visitors a glimpse of the world of astronomy. Shows like “New Solar System”, “Ultimate Universe” and “Astronaut” can be seen in comfortable recliner seats, with a guiding narration in several languages.

3. Exhibition Hall

The Exhibition Gallery of the planetarium is home to a rich collection of paintings, historic images of celestial bodies and trivia about outer space. One can gain invaluable insights on the thrilling space voyages of astronauts as encapsulated in various forms of visuals.

4. Definiti Optical Star Projector

Established after renovations in 2010, this hybrid projector is what brings the Nehru Planetarium at par with its contemporaries across the world. The projector allows visitors to view planets, constellations, asteroids and other celestial bodies with crystal clarity. It contains high power telescopes and solar filters, which enables one to view all the major eclipses taking place as well as, get a closer look at the night sky.

Facilities Available at Nehru Planetarium

1. The Planetarium premises including halls and theatres are air-conditioned.
2. There are adequate washrooms available across the area. Separate washrooms are available for the physically challenged.
3. Clean drinking water is available at every corner.
4. The Planetarium can be accessed using a wheelchair, however one has to carry their own.
5. Food Stalls and Canteens are available on Planetarium’s rooftop.

Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Nehru Planetarium

Since the COVID outbreak, strict protocols have been put in place and the visitors are urged to adhere to the same. The premises will be regularly sanitized and the audiences will be undergoing temperature checks to ensure safety for all.
Tickets need to be purchased for every individual above the age of 4 years.
No food is allowed in the halls or theatres of the planetarium.
Any form of photography or videography is strictly prohibited.
The planetarium is quite crowded during weekends, thus one may visit on weekdays to escape crowds.

Show Timings and Tickets

The planetarium is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and gazetted holidays.
The planetarium is open from 9.00 am to 5:00 pm.
The entry fee is Rs. 50 per Adult and Rs. 30 per Child (4-12 yrs). For school students, the entry fee is Rs. 20 per student.
The show timings are as follows:
English Shows: 11:30 am and 3:00 pm
Hindi Shows: 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm

How to Reach Nehru Planetarium

Delhi has an excellent network of public transport available. One can board DTC busses numbered 604, 615, 680 or 720 which travel to the Teen Murti Bhawan. One can even make use of Metro for swift travel by getting off at either Race Course Road or Udyog Bhawan metro stations, after which the destination will be a brisk walk of 2km away.