Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is a dome theatre on Sri T. Chowdaiah Road in the High Grounds area of Central Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Opened in 1989, it is one of the city's longest-running science venues and is a popular stop for school groups and families interested in astronomy. The main attraction is the dome auditorium, where a projector recreates the night sky and narrated shows explain planets, stars, constellations, eclipses and space exploration. Shows run in English and Kannada at set times, and the schedule is normally displayed at the ticket counter. Alongside the dome, a small exhibit area offers displays on astronomy and space science, and the compound has garden space for a short rest. Each show lasts roughly forty-five minutes, and with waiting and the exhibits the visit generally takes an hour to ninety minutes. The planetarium is open Tuesday to Sunday, with sessions from about 11:30AM to 5:30PM, and is closed on Mondays. Tickets are inexpensive per show, with a reduced rate for children. Weekday afternoons are the quietest, while weekends and school holidays fill early and shows can sell out, so arriving well ahead of the desired session is sensible. Photography inside the dome is not allowed during shows, and mobile phones should be silenced. The planetarium is about two kilometres from Cubbon Park metro station, and a cab or auto-rickshaw is the easiest way to arrive. It sits close to the Bangalore Palace and Sankey Road area, so it can be combined with other central attractions. Facilities are basic, and visitors should check the language of each session before buying a ticket.