The Indian Museum in Kolkata is a museum of archaeology, anthropology, art and natural science at 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Its Egyptian mummy, paintings, textiles and fossils offer several ways to shape a visit; check the hours and admission prices before you go.
- Location: 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Park Street Area, Kolkata 700016, West Bengal.
- Opening pattern: Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
- Adult admission: INR 75; visitors below 18: INR 20; foreign nationals: INR 500.
- Ticket options: Buy at the counter or online.
Where the Indian Museum is
The Indian Museum stands on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata’s Park Street Area. It was founded in 1814 at the Asiatic Society of Bengal’s then premises at 1 Park Street, Kolkata.
The address puts the museum on a central-city outing list, and its mix of collections makes it a substantial stop in its own right. For a broader day plan, the Kolkata central-city route also focuses on places around the centre.
Collections and galleries to prioritise
The Indian Museum’s collections span archaeology, anthropology and art, alongside natural science. To give your visit a clear focus, start with one or two galleries that match your interests, then add another area if time allows.
The Egyptian mummy, displayed with a mummified hand in a first-floor gallery, is one of the museum’s major attractions. In the Painting Gallery, Indian Miniatures and Bengal School of Paintings provide two distinct sections to look for.
The Textile Gallery brings together textiles from across India, most dating to the 19th century. For sculpture and art history, the Gandhara Gallery covers the Gandhara School from approximately the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE.
Natural-science collections offer a different route through the museum. The Mammal Gallery displays bones and fossils of animals found across South Asia.
Tickets, hours and entry planning
- Hours
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Admission is INR 75 for adults, INR 20 for visitors below 18, and INR 500 for foreign nationals. Organised school groups up to Standard XII pay no admission per student.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00–18:00
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
You can buy tickets at the counter or online; the museum also offers an ONDC platform option. Prices, booking arrangements and opening hours can change, so check the official site before you go.
If you plan to take photographs, smartphone photography costs INR 50 and DSLR photography costs INR 100, plus 18% GST. Small video-camera photography costs INR 2,000, while camera-with-stand photography costs INR 5,000; both also have an additional 18% GST.
Visitor facilities include a cloakroom and free guide service. Facilities for visitors with disabilities include wheelchairs, a lift, ramps and specialised restrooms. A Braille description is available in the Bharhut Gallery, and the Painting Gallery has 3D models with Braille descriptions.
The cafeteria is at the back of the main building and is open to visitors from 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM. The library has separate weekday hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
How do you get from central Kolkata to the Indian Museum?
From Atithi Inn, the Indian Museum is about 37 minutes on foot or 13 minutes by car. The museum’s address is 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Park Street Area.
FAQs
Is the Indian Museum open on Mondays?
Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday.
Can you buy Indian Museum tickets online?
Yes. Tickets are available at the counter or online, and an ONDC platform option is also available.
Which galleries are highlights at the Indian Museum?
The Egyptian mummy, Painting Gallery, Textile Gallery, Gandhara Gallery and Mammal Gallery are among the distinctive collections described by the museum.
Does the Indian Museum have accessibility facilities?
Yes. Facilities include wheelchairs, a lift, ramps and specialised restrooms, along with Braille descriptions and 3D models with Braille descriptions in selected galleries.