Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum - History, Timings & Entry Fee
Museum / Gallery
#19 of 30 Places to Visit in Varanasi
Distance (From Varanasi Junction): 11 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: Inside Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Complex
Transportation Options: Cab / Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: None
At a distance of 11 km from Varanasi Junction, Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum is an art and archeological museum located within the campus of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. It is one of the oldest museums in India and also one of the important places to visit in Varanasi.
Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum was established in 1920 AD. From 1920 to 1962, the museum was shifted to several locations within Varanasi. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation of the existing museum building in 1950 and the museum was shifted to its existing location in 1962. Rabindranath Tagore was its first honorary chairman. However the full credit for its development and upgradation goes to late Rai Krishnadasa who was a renowned Hindi writer and a great pioneer.
The museum holds more than 100,000 memorable collections of artifacts. These artifacts are displayed in different galleries namely Mahamana Malaviya Gallery, Nicholas Roerich Gallery, Chhavi or Painting Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, Nidhi or Treasure Gallery, Archaeological Gallery and Decorative Art Gallery. Most of the collections have historical importance and aesthetically beautiful with uniqueness. The main hall of the museum has a figure of a man standing on one leg and one hand on his hip and lifting a mass of stone above his head with another hand. The figure is said to be of Lord Krishna lifting Govardana. There are also many rare images that testify to the existence of Krishna cult in Kashi in the 15th and 16th century Gupta period.
The painting gallery is beautifully adorned with miniature paintings from the courts of Mughals, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, the Hindu Princess of Punjab Hills, Pahari paintings and paintings of contemporary artists. There is also a rich collection of valuable textiles which consists of Benaras silks and brocades, embroidered shawls from Kashmir and rare Chamba rumals.
Timings: 10 AM to 5.30 PM, Closed on Saturday, Sunday and University Holidays
Entry Fee: Rs.10 for Indians & Rs.150 for Foreigners
