The capital of India, New Delhi is known for its cosmopolitan nature, magnificent historical monuments and shopping. Another attracting feature of this city is its variety of museums and galleries. Though you can visit them while touring the city, but spending a whole day or two with museums will be a good option to know them better.
Ranging from exquisite pieces of art to dolls from all over the world to pre-historic relics, museums in Delhi are a good way of education and entertainment.
NATIONAL MUSEUM DELHI
The largest museum of Delhi is situated in Janpath and serves as an information center of India’s history and culture. Some of the collections displayed in this triple-storied building are as old as 5000 years.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM DELHI
Situated in the Mumtaz Mahal palace in the Red Fort, this museum has is displayed some of the rare relics dating back to the Mughal era. Serving as the proof of the fine calligraphy of the past, an array of manuscripts is also put on display.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM DELHI
To keep your kids in touch with culture, heritage and Indian tradition, take them to a visit to National Children’s Museum in the Bal Bhawan complex neat ITO, Delhi.
CRAFTS MUSEUM
Situated in Pragati Maidan, Crafts Museum of Delhi showcases the rich tribal and rural handicrafts of artisans from all over India. There you get to see a large collection of 20,000 folk and tribal arts, crafts and textiles items.
DOLLS’ MUSEUM
Take your children to this unique museum that showcases a huge collection of around 6000 dolls from different parts of India and from around 85 countries of the world.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART DELHI
Walk inside the Jaipur House, near India Gate and you come across a huge building that is the National Gallery of Modern Art for you. Earlier it was the residential palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur but in 1954, the building was developed as the Delhi National Gallery of Modern Art.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY DELHI
Opened for general public on the World Environment Day on 5th June 1978, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Delhi also serves as the subsidiary office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
NATIONAL SCIENCE MUSEUM DELHI
Situated in Pragati Maidan, the National Science Centre Museum is one of the largest science centers in the country. It is good place to bring kids along as the science museum develops interest in science.
RAIL MUSEUM DELHI
Another interesting place for kids and adults alike as it exhibits the rare models of train engines and coaches. All models ranging the 150 years of Indian Railways are displayed in open here.
NATIONAL PHILATELIC MUSEUM
Situated in the Dak Bhawan on Sansad Marg, the National Philatelic Museum is basically known for its vast collection of stamps, from Pre Independence to Post Independence periods. The first stamp in India issued by the Sindh Dak in 1854 is the major attraction here. Stamps issued by the princely states and stamps from several countries are also a part of this museum.
OTHER MUSEUMS IN DELHI
Showcasing personal possessions, some of the museums in New Delhi are totally dedicated to famous personalities like Mahatma Gandhi (NATIONAL GANDHI MUSEUM), Jawaharlal Nehru (NEHRU MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM) and Indira Gandhi (INDIRA GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM).
Apart from the above mentioned there is SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI. Dedicated to music and dance, the academy is one of the best. The large audio-visual archive of this academy is a good resource center. Then you can also visit Tibet House Museum of Delhi to know Tibet and its history. Items that Dalai Lama brought from Tibet when he escaped from there are also displayed in this museum.
KNOW INDIA VIA DELHI MUSEUMS
A visit to these Delhi museums helps you know and understand the art, culture, history, and traditions of India. When you make a plan to visit Delhi, do not forget to include museums in your things-to-do list.