Varanasi Museums and Art Galleries

There is a plethora of fascinating museums in the city, exhibiting all sorts of artifacts from yesteryear. The one that attracts the attention of the visitors on the tour to Varanasi is" The Bharat Kala Museum", comprises an array of galleries, showcasing stone sculptures and Buddhist reliefs such as the Mad Indian Elephant, ancient peacocks, Buddha Taming Nilgiri. The other museums display the best antiquities in the whole of India.

Here is the list of interesting museums presenting the chronicle development of Varanasi through its various collections of artefacts and structural design.

Ramnagar Fort Museum / Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum

Address: 1 mile from BHU via Pontoon, Varanasi Ram Nagar Fort Museum, Varanasi

Timing: 9 AM to Noon and 2 PM to 5:30 PM

Closed: Public Holidays

Just over 10 km / 6 miles from Varanasi and in the neighbouring city of Ramnagar is the Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum, which is located within the Ramnagar Fort itself. Visitors to this cultural attraction will discover a rather eclectic collection of pieces, once the property of the Maharajas of Banaras. Highlights include weaponry displays, decorated 'howdahs' (seats for camels), an interest astrological clock, art works and paintings depicting past celebrations in Varanasi, intricate ivory carvings and colourful woven textiles.

Bharat Kala Museum

Address: Semi Circle Road, 3, Kabir Colony, Banaras Hindu University Campus, Varanasi

Timing: 10:30 AM to 5 PM

Closed: Sunday and University Holidays

Housing an extensive array of ancient Indian terracotta pieces, found within the city of Varanasi itself, the Bharat Kala Museum is one not to miss and resides within the campus of the Benares Hindu University. The majority of the exhibits dates as far back as the Mauryan or Sunga periods, and were discovered around the Indus Valley area while some even have origins within prehistoric times.

Sarnath Archaeological Museum

Address: Sarnath, India, IN

The Sarnath Archaeological Museum contains a number of truly ancient pieces. The main highlight is without question the capital, which once crowned Ashokan pillar and consists of four lions, standing back-to-back and widely regarded a modern symbol of the country of India. The museum itself is located within nearby Sarnath, to the north-east of Varanasi, and also contains some other important pieces, excavated close by. Look out for the Buddha figurines and images showing the famous Hindi gods of Ganesh and Saraswati, amongst others.

Government Museum

Timing: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Closed: Public Holidays

The Government Museum contains a rich and impressive collection of antiquities and historical artefacts. Founded in 1874, the collection contains a number of archaeological relics found from the Mathura region, together with some detailed relief works, terracotta bowls, pottery vases, coins and bronze pieces. Particularly impressive are the collection of Mathura stone sculptures, which date as far back as the 3rd century BC.

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