Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya - History, Timings & Entry Fee

Museum / Gallery

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Bhopal Junction Railway Station): 9 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour

Place Location: At Shyamala Hills

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab / Auto

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 1 km from Van Vihar National Park, and 9 km from Bhopal Junction, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is a unique museum located at Shyamala Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Van Vihar, it is one of the largest and leading anthropological museums in India, and among the most visited tourist places in Bhopal.

Also known as the National Museum of Mankind or Museum of Man, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) was established in the year 1985. Spread over an area of about 200 acres, the museum depicts an integrated story of the evolution of man and culture with special reference to India. The museum also has a regional center for the South India region at Mysore in Karnataka. Located along with the Upper Lake, the museum can be accessed either from Lake View Road or from another road near Demonstration School.

The museum offers an opportunity to explore the most subtle but artistic sensibilities of the rich Indian culture and heritage through its appealing exhibitions. It has 12 indoor galleries and 8 open-air galleries namely Tribal Habitat, Coastal Village, Desert Village, Himalayan Village, Mythological Trail, Traditional Technology park. The highlight of this museum is the fact that it's the only one to have painted rock shelters with its post-colonial repertoire of tribal folk, art, and culture. Impressive periodical and travelling exhibitions of the museum on various topics are highly receptive and friendly to the visitors. Besides, the museum houses audiovisual archives, an extensive collection of ethnographic specimens, and computerized documentaries.

The reference library of IGRMS has a rich collection of documents on anthropology, archaeology, museology, tribal study, pre-history, art, architecture, etc. Moreover, the museum organizes several educational programs, workshops, seminars, symposia, group discussions. conferences, cultural programs, regional and cultural festivals, lectures, artists camps, etc. The museum provides abundant research opportunities for students, researchers, designers, and filmmakers.

Timings: 11 AM - 6.30 PM from March-August & 10 AM - 5.30 PM from September - February, Closed on Mondays & National Holidays

Entry Fee: Rs. 50 for Person, Rs. 25 for Students and Groups