New Delhi Museums

(New Delhi, Delhi, India)



Picture of central museumPlenty of culture is available around New Delhi, in the form of the city museums. Dedicated to natural history, ancient handicrafts, steam locomotives and India's famous spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, the museums in New Delhi offer a taste of past life in India.

Particularly notable is the New Delhi National Museum along Janpath Road, which contains many important and historic bronze, wooden and terracotta sculptures. The main museums are listed below.


Crafts Museum

Address: Aditi Pavilion, Bhairon Road, New Delhi, 110001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2337 1817
Located within the centre of New Delhi and particularly close to the Old Fort, the Crafts Museum is a great place to learn about traditional arts and crafts from the region, featuring a series of stalls displaying woodwork, pottery and also textiles. With regular demonstrations and themed events, this attraction offers a glimpse of the past and recreates village life, with various tribal relics and figurines. The craft shop onsite is a great place to pick up a quality souvenir.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Photo of the National Museum

National Museum

Address: Janpath Road, New Delhi, 110011, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2301 9272
The National Museum lies within central Delhi and contains an extensive collection of exhibits, which include various historic sculptures and artefacts from both the Mauryan and Vijayanagar periods, musical instruments, textiles, tribal weapons, Indian manuscripts and some small, but detailed paintings. Expect to spend around half a day exploring this large museum, if you don't want to miss anything.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Mahatma Gandhi National Museum

Address: Opposite Raj Ghat, New Delhi, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2331 9001
Celebrating the life of famous individual Mahatma Gandhi, the city's Gandhi National Museum lies on the northern side of Delhi. Although this museum is fairly small in size, it is overflowing with paraphernalia relating to Gandhi and even includes some of his clothing, a library, his personal diary and many images of Gandhi himself.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Image of historic train at the National Rail Transport Museum

National Rail Transport Museum

Address: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2688 1816
The perfect attraction for railway buffs, the National Rail Transport Museum, in the Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi, contains around 30 different locomotives of varying sizes. Also on exhibit here are a number of restored carriages and a working steam engine, which is more than 150 years old. Rather unexpected is the skull of an elephant, who once charged at a mail train and sadly died shortly afterwards.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, October to March - 09:30 to 17:00; April to September - 09:30 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum

Address: Safdarjang Road, New Delhi, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2301 0094
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum is housed within the former residence of Indira Gandhi. Containing many of her most personal belongings and items, including the actual sari that she wore when she was assassinated here in 1984, the museum features an array of memorabilia related to Indira Gandhi, including various photographs, paintings and newspaper clippings. Also look out for the enclosed garden and pathway.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:30 to 16:45
Admission: free

National Museum of Natural History

Address: 2nd Floor, FICCI Auditorium, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi, 110001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2331 4849
The National Museum of Natural History can be found directly opposite New Delhi's Nepali Embassy and is home to a number of significant fossils. Particularly impressive are the bones of an Indian sauropod, which dates back more than 150 million years. Also on display are various stuffed animals, including a large Tibetan yak and exotic birds. Regular film screenings and talks provide added interest.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Red Fort Archaeological Museum

Address: Red Fort, New Delhi, 110006, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2326 7961
Red Fort Archaeological Museum is sited within the Red Fort and features many priceless treasures once owned by Bahadur Shah Zafar, India's very last emperor, who died in 1862. With well-preserved ceremonial robes, jewels and also a selection of artefacts relating to other emperors, the Red Fort Archaeological Museum also features some colourful textiles and a good gift shop.
Open hours: Saturday to Thursday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge


Other noteworthy museums in the New Delhi areas.

Field Museum

Address: Purana Quila, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2461 5387

Gandhi Smriti Museum

Address: Birla House, 5 Tees January Marg, New Delhi, 110011, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2301 1480

Nehru Memorial Museum

Address: Teen Murti House, New Delhi, 110011, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2301 7173

Shankar Dolls Museum

Address: Nehru House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2331 6970

Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

Address: Sulabh Complex, Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Road, New Delhi, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2505 3646

Tibet House

Address: 1, Institutional Area, Lodhi, New Delhi, 110003, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2461 1515