# National Museum, New Delhi — New Delhi, India

> The National Museum in New Delhi was established in 1949 and holds over 200,000 works spanning 5,000 years of Indian history — from the Indus Valley Civilisation to contemporary art. It is India's premier museum on Janpath, near India Gate.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Admission: ₹650 for international visitors; ₹20 for Indian visitors
- Address: Janpath Road, Rajpath Area, New Delhi 110011, India
- Time needed: 3–4 hours
- Official website: https://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro — Indus Valley · c. 2500 BCE
- Buddha Relics from Piprahwa — Mauryan period · 5th century BCE
- Gandhara Buddha Head — Gandhara · 2nd–3rd century CE
- Mughal Miniature — Jahangir Album — Mughal court · 17th century

## FAQ
**Where are the Buddhist relics?**
The sacred relics of the Buddha from Kapilavastu are displayed in a dedicated gallery on the ground floor.

**Is photography allowed?**
Still photography is allowed for an additional fee; tripods and flash are not permitted.

**How long should I spend at National Museum, New Delhi?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is National Museum, New Delhi best known for?**
The National Museum opened in 1949 in Rashtrapati Bhavan and moved to its purpose-built Janpath home in 1960. Its three floors are organised by period and medium. Key highlights include Dancing Girl bronze from Mohenjo-daro, Buddhist relics gallery, Mughal and Rajput miniature painting.

**How do I get tickets for National Museum, New Delhi?**
₹650 for international visitors; ₹20 for Indian visitors Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/

**Where is the Dancing Girl?**
In the Harappan (Indus Valley) gallery on the ground floor — a small bronze statuette in a dedicated case. One of the most requested objects in the museum.

**How long should I allow?**
At least 3 hours for highlights — Harappan, Buddhist, Mughal, and temple bronze galleries. A thorough visit takes a full day.

**Can I combine with India Gate?**
Yes — India Gate is a 15-minute walk away. Rajpath connects the museum area to the war memorial — easy to combine on a New Delhi sightseeing day.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-museum-new-delhi/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.