My recent visit to the Indian Museum in Kolkata was a memorable experience, made even more special by the fact that I got to share it with my wife and 8-year-old son. The museum is located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible by public transportation.
The entrance fee for adults was 50 Rupees, and 20 Rupees for children, which I think is a reasonable price to pay for such a rich and educational experience. As a local resident of Kolkata, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to show my family some of the city’s most treasured cultural artifacts and natural specimens.
The museum was bustling with visitors from all over the world, and it was clear that the Indian Museum is a popular and much-loved institution. The staff were friendly and helpful, and they provided us with a map and some background information on the museum and its collections.
We started our tour of the museum by visiting the prehistoric section, where we saw fossils, bones, and stone tools from the earliest human civilizations. My son was particularly fascinated by the dinosaur bones and the intricate carvings and sculptures from the Indus Valley Civilization.
Next, we explored the sections dedicated to Indian art and archaeology, where we saw beautiful paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from ancient India. My wife was particularly drawn to the intricate sculptures and pottery from the Gandhara and Mathura schools, and I was struck by the beauty and craftsmanship of the ancient Indian paintings.
Mummy from Egypt
One of the highlights of our visit was the mummy from Egypt, which was truly awe-inspiring. It was fascinating to see such an ancient and well-preserved artifact, and we learned a great deal about the culture and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.
Finally, we visited the natural history section, which was my son’s favorite part of the visit. He was fascinated by the taxidermied animals, including tigers, lions, and other rare species from India’s forests and jungles.
While wrapping up, I must say that my visit to the Indian Museum in Kolkata was a fantastic experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in history, art, and natural history. Whether you are a local resident or a tourist visiting from abroad, the Indian Museum is a must-visit destination that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India.
Where I Live
I live in Kolkata and very near to the museum, about 6 kms away. So, we used our two-wheeler. We parked it behind the museum building, in a paid-parking space. The charge for parking was 10 Rupees for each hour.
History
Oh yes, the Indian Museum, located in between Esplanade and Park Street, is one of the oldest museums in India. It was established in 1814 by the Asiatic Society of Bengal, with the aim of showcasing the rich cultural heritage and natural history of India. Over the years, the museum has expanded its collection to include a diverse range of artifacts from across India and abroad, including sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, fossils, and even mummies. Today, the Indian Museum is a premier cultural institution in India, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is also a center for research and scholarship, with a library and various departments dedicated to the study of history, archaeology, anthropology, geology, and zoology.
