One of the most amazing government museums I have visited in India is in Bangalore. With artefacts dating back to 1st or 2nd centuries, the Government museum in Bangalore is a must see when you are in this beautiful garden city.
I am a fan of everything old, including the sculptures and paintings. And the Government museum is perfect for people like me. I can easily spend half a day reading and learning about each of the exhibits showcased in the museum.
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About the Government Museum in Bangalore
Established in 1865 by Colonel Richard Hieram Sankey, the Government Museum in Bangalore was first housed in the Cantonment’s Jail Building. It was then moved to the current site in 1877 which is part of the Cubbon Park and is on the Kasturba Road, right next to the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum. Constructed in the neoclassical architectural style, the current building has two floors with beautiful porticos, columns and stairs. The museum is the second oldest museum in South India.
Are you new to Bangalore? Then read the perfect guide to explore Bangalore.
What to expect at the Government Museum in Bangalore?
With 18 galleries, the museum has two floors and each of these galleries cover exhibits related to sculptures found, geology, history, currencies, and paintings. There are sculptures that were excavated from an archeological site Chandravalli and they belonged to Hoysala, Mohenjodaro, Mathura and Kodagu civilisations. Some of the artefacts showcased in the museum are more than 5000 years old.
The must see and the highlight of the museum is the inscriptions belonging to Halmadi, Begur and Atakur which go back to 450 C.E. And another highlight is a huge painting of the Ramayana story which is spectacular to see.
Visitor Information
- The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday between 10 AM and 5 PM. Mondays are closed.
- There is an entrance fee of Rupees 20 per adult and Rupees 10 per child.
- You need at least 2 hours to see and explore all the galleries in the museum.
- Do not touch or damage any artefact in the museum.
Try extending your trip to the Government museum by visiting the Sandesha museum which is also close by. The Sandesha Museum is dedicated to the journey of Indian communication.
How to get to the Government Museum in Bangalore?
Driving
Just 400 metres from Bangalore General Post Office (GPO), the museum can easily be walked and accessed through Cubbon Park. If you are driving, the best way is either to park your vehicle at Cubbon Park (paid) and then walk down to the museum or park at the museum as there are plenty of parking spaces at the museum.
Public transportation
- Metro – The easiest way is to get to the Cubbon Park metro station or Vidhana Soudha metro station and walk down to the museum. Refer Namma Metro website for latest and up-to-date information on metros.
- Buses – There are regular buses operated by BMTC that travel between Majestic and Vidhana Soudha bus stops.
For detailed information on traveling in Bangalore, read Transport in Bangalore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Government Museum
Q: Where is the Government museum located?
The museum is located on Kasturba Road, right next to the Cubbon Park and Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.
Q: How to get to the Government museum?
The easiest way is to take a metro to either Cubbon Park or Vidhana Soudha metro stations and then walk from the there to the museum. You can also drive to the museum directly and there are parking places available at the museum.
Q: How much does it cost to enter the Government museum?
The fee is minimal and for adults, it is Rupees 20 and for children, it is Rupees 10. You can buy the entrance fee at the counter at the museum. Always check with the counter for up to date prices.
Q: What is the best time to visit the Government museum?
It is best to visit the museum in the morning as there is less crowd at the time.
Q: How much time should I spend at the Government museum?
This depends on you but I suggest at least one to two hours as there are lots to see in the museum.
Q: What can I see at the Government museum?
The building is of two floors with 18 galleries and you have plenty of artefacts, including sculptures and paintings.
Q: When is the Government museum open?
The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10 AM and 5 PM. It is closed on public holidays and Mondays.
Q: What are the other things that I can do around the Government museum?
There are plenty of things that you can do when you are near the Government museum. You can:
- Do the heritage walk in Cubbon Park and learn about the history of the park.
- Visit Indian Cartoon Gallery, India’s only cartoon gallery.
- Stroll and have a look at the famous Vidhana Soudha.
- Visit the heritage churches around MG Road.
- Walk between Trinity Circle and Church Street.
- Shop at Church Street.
Bengaluru Prayana conducts guided heritage and art walks. To learn about the scheduled walks, visit the Bengaluru Prayana Facebook Group or Instagram Page. Alternatively, you can write to us at bengaluruprayana@gmail.com.
You can also join our WhatsApp community.
Q: What are the other museums that I can see in Bangalore?
Bangalore has plenty of museums and each of them are unique and have focus on an area. Some of the other museums you can plan to visit are:
- Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (right next to the Government museum).
- Sandesha museum which is the museum of communication.
- Museum of Art and Photography.
- Kempegowda Museum dedicated to the founder of Bangalore.
- HMT Watch Museum.
- HAL Aerospace Museum.
Closing Notes
The Government Museum in Bangalore is definitely worth visiting. It is one of those museums that help you learn about the city and how it evolved. If you have some more time, then try visiting the Kempegowda Museum too which is dedicated to the founder of Bangalore Kempegowda I.
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