India's principal museum, opened on Janpath in 1960, holding roughly 200,000 objects spanning 5,000 years, from the Harappan Dancing Girl and the Buddha relics of Piprahwa to Chola bronzes, Mughal miniatures and Central Asian antiquities from the Aurel Stein collection. The collection is being progressively transferred to the future Yuge Yugeen Bharat museum in the North and South Blocks, so gallery availability can change.
The National Museum stands on Janpath in Central Delhi, its galleries arranged over three floors around a central courtyard. Visitors move through chronological and thematic sections covering the Harappan civilisation, including the Dancing Girl bronze, the Buddhist relics of Piprahwa, medieval sculpture, Chola bronzes, Mughal miniature paintings, and Central Asian antiquities from the Aurel Stein collection. Because parts of the collection are being progressively transferred to the future Yuge Yugeen Bharat museum, gallery layouts can shift between visits, and it is worth checking at the entrance which sections are open. A thorough visit takes 2 to 3 hours; a highlights-only pass through the Harappan and miniature painting galleries can be done in about an hour. The building's staircases and upper-floor balconies offer good views down into the courtyard and across the miniature painting galleries. Weekday mornings, right after the 10:00AM opening, are quietest, while afternoons draw school groups on organised tours, particularly during the academic term.
| Admission | Adult Around INR 20 for Indian nationals (approx $0.21 USD); around INR 500 for foreign nationals (approx $5.27 USD), audio guide included in the foreign ticket · Child Free for students carrying a school identity card |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tuesday-Sunday 10:00AM-6:00PM; closed Mondays and national holidays |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings, when school groups have yet to arrive |
| Getting there | Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat metro stations (Yellow Line) are each about a 1km walk |
| Address | Janpath Road, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Delhi 110011, India |
Weather through the year in Delhi
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Location
Janpath Road, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Delhi 110011, India
28.6118, 77.2195 View on map
Highlights
- Harappan-era Dancing Girl bronze and seals
- Buddhist relics from the Piprahwa stupa
- Chola-period bronze sculpture gallery
- Mughal and Rajput miniature painting collection
- Central Asian antiquities from the Aurel Stein expeditions
Tips for visiting
- Foreign-national tickets include an audio guide, which is worth collecting at the entrance
- Ask at the desk which galleries are open, as sections are being progressively relocated
- Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school group tours
- Student visitors should carry a school identity card for free entry
- Bag storage is available near the entrance for larger backpacks
When to visit
Weekday mornings shortly after the 10:00AM opening are quietest, before school groups arrive in the afternoon.
Accessibility
The museum has lifts and ramps connecting its floors, making most galleries accessible to wheelchair users.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the National Museum take?
A thorough visit takes 2 to 3 hours, while a focused look at the highlight galleries can be done in about an hour.
Is the National Museum worth visiting with kids?
Yes, particularly for children interested in history; the Harappan and miniature painting galleries tend to hold attention well.
Is photography allowed inside the National Museum?
Photography without flash is generally allowed in most galleries, though some special exhibitions restrict it.