Ask any Delhiite about National Museum and they would recall visiting this site during school outings. And it is indeed an apt place for this activity. However, as an adult one appreciates many more facts about the National Museum.

Venue: National Museum, Janpath

• The National Museum established just after independence in the year 1949, is one of the oldest museums in India. Even after 65 years, the museum has not lost its relevance.

• When we visited the museum on a recent weekend to explore its potential as a summer activity, we felt that to do justice, this place cannot be covered in a day.

  

  You should visit the museum at least thrice dedicating one visit for each floor.

• The Museum was heavily criticized for being outdated. Moreover, many of their possessions were kept in storage areas for lack of display ideas. Recently, in the year 2013, this site was majorly overhauled. Consequently, the galleries are better lit, many more displays are open for public viewing and the cafeteria has comfortable seating arrangements.

  

  As a part of the revamp every gallery is now painted in different colours. This breaks the monotony and facilitates the viewer’s transition from one era to another.

• Another new initiative is the daily guided tours (twice daily and four times on weekends). Each guided tour lasts about 90 minutes.

  

  Our guide Anwar Hussain started the tour with the Harappan Gallery and showed us some salient displays from that era.

  There after he chronologically took us through Maurya and Gupta era, Buddhist and Jain iconography. After a few more galleries he ended the tour by taking us through the history of coins and the weapons and artillery gallery. The explanation was brief, bereft of too many dry details, and thus interesting. We did not realise how more than one and a half hours had passed. The guided tour is perhaps the most impressive addition of the revamp. The museum holds more than 2 lakh objects covering 5000 years of art and culture and without a guide, a visitor is prone to feel lost.

  

• Earphones along with commentaries in different languages (Hindi, English, German, French, and Japanese) describing the various displays are available.
• It was almost 5’o clock, their closing time and we were still not done. We managed to get just a glimpse and were taken a back at the rich collection of precious ornaments comprising gold, silver, and gems. This place could be a source of inspiration for any jewellery designer today.

The museum craft store at the entry as well as on the first floor has also been refurbished. They carry replicas as well as have an enviable collection of silver ornaments, crafts bags, cushion covers, printed mugs, coasters, fridge magnets, etc. Although pricey, every item oozed perfection.

All the galleries have super strong air conditioning so while the eyes want to rest, the body is not fatigued. Moreover, there are water coolers on very floor and sofas to sit and relax. The museum is open during the weekends (closed on Mondays and public holidays).

They also organise various theme-based exhibition details which can be accessed at the website http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in.
The National Museum is immensely popular with tourists. It is a fantastic summer for anyone in Delhi

How to reach the National Museum, New Delhi

The National Museum is located on Janpath Road, in the heart of New Delhi. Any app-based taxi or auto-rickshaw would drop you here.

The nearest metro station to the National Museum is Udyog Bhavan. If you are out from Exit 2, the museum is walkable. Alternatively, you can take an autorickshaw and reach the museum in a jiffy.

We could not find any dedicated parking space at the National Museum. There is an open curb outside, and beside the museum gate and you could park there. This parking is not very big though, and it would fill easily on a busy day.

Other things to do near the National Museum, New Delhi

A visit to the National Museum could take about half a day. You can spend the other half of the day at many of the other attractions that the vibrant city has to offer.

Connaught Place or CP – The busy office hub of Delhi is a great hangout place replete with interesting shopping and myriad dining options. The Victorian-style circular building makes CP a great photo spot too.

National Gallery of Modern Art of NGMA – This sprawling art museum has an exhaustive collection of art not only by Indian masters but also from across the world.

India Gate – This iconic monument of Delhi has been erected to commemorate the thousands of Indian soldiers who died fighting for the British in the World War. No trip to Delhi can be complete without a visit to the India Gate and the surrounding lawns.

Also Read: Museums of Delhi You Must Visit

PIN IT FOR LATER READ

Also Read: Jewels of Nizam – An Exhibition of Rare Jewels of India