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NATIONAL
MUSEUM
The
National Museum is another interesting spot located very close
to India Gate. The museum has a rich variety of all facets of
ancient Indian history and also of central Asia. In fact the
museum takes one through a fascinating journey of what ancient
India was all about, pottery, rare coins, and numerous such
things including art and architecture, costumes are for all to
see. It's something every tourist should find time to visit even
if the schedule is tight. 
On the right of Rajpath at Janpath is National Museum or
Yadughar. Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone in 1955 and
the museum was opened to visitors in 1965. Collections from
Mahenjadaro, Harappa, Lothal, Kalibangan and antiques of
prehistorical periods are on display. The history dated back to
5000 years are vividly displayed in the museum.
The
collections of Indus civilization, Brahminical, Jain and
Buddhist sculptural antiques are all there. The colour paintings
of Mughal, Rajput, Deccan are praiseworthy. Besides, there are
the holy Git Gobinda, the holy Mahabharata, the holy Bhagabat
Gita in golden alphabet, Octogonal mini Quran, Babamama in
Babar's handwriting, Jahangir's diary, musical instruments of
more than 300 types, varieties of tribal dresses enriched the
museum.
The antique collections of Sir Aurel Stein has added the
attraction of the museum. The evolution of ornaments through
ages from prehistoric era to recent modern time, its shape,
size, design and pattern and of metalic combinations with or
without jewel set are all on display in the ornament gallery of
the museum. It draws tourists most.
You may attend film show here at 14-30, which is a regular
feature. Except Monday open daily from 10-00 to 17-00 3019538.
NATIONAL
GALLERY OF MODERN ART
Located
in the Jaipur House near India Gate. The building was the palace
of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It has around 4,000 paintings of
modern artists and also included are graphics and sculptures.
The gallery arranges special exhibitions for those who wish to
exhibit their works. Rabindranath, Abanindranath, Nanadalal Bose,
Jamini Roy, Amrita Shergil and other's creative works are on
display. This gallery has a huge collection of art and
literature and journal on art and culture and painting of old
and modern schooling. At Chanakyapuri behind Bhutan House,
except Monday and national holidays, in the months of April to
September daily between 9-30 to 19-00 and Oct-March Open from
10-00 to 17-00. The gallery also houses a library which can be
used by museum, which is open from 1000 hours to 1700 hours, is
closed on all holidays and observes Monday as its weekly off.
 Sankar's
International Dolls Museum was founded in 1954. More than 6000
Variety representing almost 85 countries of the world are on
display in the museum. Dolls of Japan deserves special
mention.
However, 1/3 of total dolls is Indian - Indian cultural and
the cultural life style has been projected in the fashions of
dolls. The ticket is Re 1. Except Monday open every day from
10-00 to 17-00. Besides, there is B C Roy Children's Library
and children's play corner. The doll museum is situated at
Nehru House close to Income Tax Office at Bahadur Sah Jaffar
Marg near Delhi Gate.
Another
national museum has been built at 1 Safdarjung Rd in memorium
of Indira Gandhi, on May 27, 1985. Indira Gandhi was
assassinated by her own body guard on 31 Oct, 1984. A glass
cage has
covered the spot where her body fell down. Before being bullet
sprayed in from point blank range, Indira was on her way along
the garden road out of her residence.
At that place Czechoslovak Govt made a artificial water flow
by crystal on steel plate of 33´25 m. The crystal stream on
the steel plate is designed and planned by the Czech architect
Jaroslav Mirich.
3 rooms are full with articles which were in use by Indira.
Photographs of Indira are also there. The blood-stained sari
and other dress materials of Indira are chemically preserved
in the museum. You may go inside the private chambers to view
reading room, dinning room, Dewan-i-Aam, Dewan-i-Khas etc.
Except Monday open everyday from 10-00 to 17-00 3010094.
To
the south of Rashtrapati Bhawan Tinmurti Rd the house that was
built as per plan and design of Robert Tor Russel in 1948 as
the residence of the British Commander-in-chief, has been
converted as the residence of the Prime Minister of India in
1954. Since then the residence of Jawaharlal Nehru was at
Tinmurti.
After his death in 1964, it was converted to Nehru Museum. In
his private life, and as a Prime Minister, the prizes he got
are on display. The photographs of Nehru is also of an added
attraction. A library is also opened. Open from 10-00 to
16-30, except Monday. Open to all. In season, at 11-30, 13-30,
15-30, 16-30 you may view Nehru's life as a part of Indian
freedom struggle in Nehru planetarium or Son-et-Lumiere at
Tinmurti. Ticket Rs 10 and Rs 5, 3014673. The rose garden at
Tinmurti is beautiful. At Jawaharjyoti Garden, the historical
speech on 14-15 August, 1947 has been inscribed in stone
there.
NATIONAL
RAIL MUSEUM
It was
built as per plan of British architect M G Satto on 1957, 1st
Feb, on the carpet area of 10 acres of land. The museum
displays 27 locomotives and 17 carriage.
The saloon car of the Maharaja of Baroda (1886), the carriage
of the Maharaja of Mysore made of teak covered with ivory; the
cabin of the Prince of Wales (1876), the carriage in which the
ashes of Gandhiji
was carried in 1948; Fairy Queen of 1855 (oldest steam engine
in the world); evolution of Indian Rail from steam engine to
present era are vividly displayed.
Even, the skull of an elephant who struck a Mail train in
1894, with his head is also projected here in the exhibition.
The Toy train is running - you may buy here as a souvenir of
your visit. Restaurant and Libraries are also there.
Beautiful Tibetian handicrafts are on display which were
brought with Dalai Lama from Lasa in Tibbet House at 16
Jorhbagh close to Hotel Oberoi. Tibetian handicrafts are on
sale. Open from Monday to Friday between 9-30 to 13-00 and
14-00 to 17-00 except Sunday and Saturday.
In the evening, view the film show on Light and Sound at Red
Fort in Hindi or English version Son-et-Lumiere or the history
from Mughal to Indian Independence.
Collect your ticket and information from ITDC, L Block,
Connaught Place, 3320331. Opp to Red Fort is Chandni Chowk,
Parliament St, and Connaught Circus- visit on foot. New Delhi
is growing gradually day to day. Chanakyapuri is the symbol of
latest architectural and sculptural designs. All Foreign
Embassies, Consulates and Diplomatic Enclaves are at
Chanakyapuri.
RAIL
TRANSPORT MUSEUM
Located
in the south of Delhi close to the diplomatic area of
Chanakayapuri it traces, through exhibits, the 140 year-old
history of the Indian Railways. The museum, established in
1977, and spread over a ten-acre area, is the first of its
kind in India. The highlights include the Fairy Queen of 1885
the oldest working steam locomotive, the luxury saloon of the
Prince of Whales and the saloon of the Maharaja of Mysore.
Timings: summer 0830 to 1130 and 1600 to 1730 hours, winter:
0900 to 1730 hours. It is closed on Mondays.
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