Museums and Art Galleries in mumbai

Museums and Art Galleries

Mumbai’s rich and intriguing past spills over in the city’s well maintained and well looked after museums. Startling collections of Indian art and culture and inspiring invaluable collections from prehistoric times can be admired at some of the most established museums of Mumbai. The Prince of Wales Museums is one such fine example that has been housing historic marvels. Rare pieces of art from the Paleolithic age to the celebrated Mughal period can be spotted here.

The Jehangir Art Gallery situated close to the Prince of Wales Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) house the best Indian contemporary art. Mani Bhavan with the Mahatma Gandhi Musuem inside has served as the starting point of the Quit India Movement back in 1942. The Nehru Planetarium and the Bombay Natural History Museum are other such places that continuously allure people with their interesting natural and scientific facets.

Prince of Wales Museum

It has an amazing collection of Indian art and sculpture,

Prince of Wales Museum

which dates back to prehistoric times and the priceless collection is spread over the three floors of the museum. The ground floor has several galleries, each dedicated to a particular period in history. These galleries display rare pieces from the Paleolithic Age to the Mughal period. The most famous sculpture on this floor could be the Dancing Girl from Mohenjodaro, 2,500 BC.

The Mughal period is depicted and displayed in vivid details in the paintings and Arabian manuscripts. Of special interest is the superb Central Asian Gallery that exhibits the silk banners, sculpture and wall paintings that form part of Sir Aurel Stein's collection, brought to India in the early part of the 20th century.


The Bhaudaji Lad Museum

Bhaudaji Lad Museum

On the backdrop of Jijamata Udyan (Victoria Garden), the Bhaudaji Lad Museum, also known as the Victoria Albert Museum, is lavishly situated in Byculla. It was named after Queen Empress of India and the Prince consort.

Under the colonial rule of Dr. Buist, one of the collectors during the British Rule, conceived the idea to develop a museum of Natural History. The idea took shape as a central museum of Natural History, Economy, Industry, Geology and Arts.

The collection includes clay models, illustrations of British period, silver and copper ware, armour and rare collections of fossils. The structure of the building is covered with windows, wrought-iron railings, slender pillars, painted ceilings and elegant arches.


Jehangir Art Gallery

Jehangir Art Gallery

Jehangir Art Gallery is close to the Prince of Wales Museum, and is the showcase for contemporary art. The displays change regularly. Outside the museum is the Artist's Plaza with more paintings on display and sale. It opens daily from 11 am to 7 pm.

National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)

National Gallery of Modern Art

It was formerly called as Cowasji Jehangir Hall which has been renovated to serve as a four-storey exhibition hall, displaying the best of Indian contemporary art. The Gallery remains open on all days except Monday, from 10 am to 5 pm. This is the most impressive exhibition space in Mumbai.







Mani Bhavan

This is a historical building where Mahatma Gandhi lived during his visit to Mumbai from 1917 to 1934. One can see the room and belongings (like books etc.) of Mahatma Gandhi inside the museum. Mani Bhavan is situated on Laburnam Road, near the August Kranti Maidan, where the ‘Quit India Movement’ had begun in 1942. It is open to the general public daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm.


Nehru Planetarium/ Museum

Nehru Planetarium

Nehru Planetarium is one of Mumbai’s most beautifully designed architectural landmarks and is located in Worli. It unfolds the mysteries of the universe. The planetarium conducts regular shows on outer space and heavenly bodies which are very much exciting for children.

The Nehru Science centre is situated close to the planetarium which includes permanent exhibits on intricacies of life. The antique models of Railway engines, aeroplanes, tramcar and steam lorry are exciting to see. Both the planetarium and the museum are worth visiting places in Mumbai.

Bombay Natural History Museum

Situated at the Hornbill House at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road in Mumbai, the Bombay Natural History Museum currently is being supported by over 30 countries in its cause. The Bombay Natural History Society has been working continuously and with great interest towards the conservation of nature and natural resources, education and research in natural history. Intriguing specimens of natural history like vertebrates, insects, beetles, butterflies and embalmed reptiles have been preserved in the museum established by the society in 1983. Well known ornithologist and naturalist Dr Salim Ali has been the guiding force behind the society’s motives. An informative magazine called the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society is also published and released every four months by this society.