Patna Museum
The Oldest Museum of Bihar: Founded on April 3, 1917, during the British Raj, the Patna Museum is affectionately nicknamed Jadu Ghar (House of Magic) by the locals. It was established to house and conserve the historical artifacts discovered in the region after the separation of Bihar and Bengal in 1912. It is a multipurpose museum showcasing art, archaeology, coins, paintings, instruments, and textiles. Architectural Style and History: The main building, completed in 1928, is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending Mughal and Rajput styles with Western elements. This grand, two-storey structure itself is a significant piece of Patna's architectural heritage. It was originally intended to house all of Bihar's heritage. The Collection and the Shift: Historically, its most prized possession was the Didarganj Yakshi (a magnificent Mauryan sculpture, now moved to the Bihar Museum). Following the opening of the new Bihar Museum in 2015, the collections were strategically divided. The Patna Museum now focuses primarily on artifacts from the Post-1764 period onwards, including modern paintings, British-era items, and items related to the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Current Star Attractions: Despite the shift, it still houses several unique attractions, most famously: 1) A magnificent fossilized tree said to be over 200 million years old. 2) A preserved casket that reportedly contains the sacred ashes (relics) of Gautama Buddha, unearthed at Vaishali. 3) A World War I cannon displayed in the grounds. The museum also houses thousands of manuscripts donated by Rahul Sankrityayan.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
2-3 hoursPlace Type:
Museum, Historical Institution, Architectural HeriEntry Fees:
Nominal Entry Fee: The entry fee for the Patna Museum is nominal. For Indian adults, it is typically around Rs.15 to Rs.20 per person. For students, the fee is often discounted (e. g. , Rs.5). For Foreign nationals, the fee is higher, usually around Rs.250 per person.Nominal Entry Fee: The entry fee for the Patna Museum is nominal. For Indian adults, it is typically around Rs.15 to Rs.20 per person. For students, the fee is often discounted (e. g. , Rs.5). For Foreign nationals, the fee is higher, usually around Rs.250 per person.
Photography Fees: The use of a mobile phone camera or a non-professional camera for personal photography is typically free or included in the entry fee. However, the use of flash is strictly prohibited to protect the delicate artifacts. Commercial photography or videography (using tripods, professional lighting) requires a significant, expensive permit from the museum director.
Fees for Services: Access to the research library is usually restricted to registered members or scholars who may pay a small annual or research fee.
Guide Services: Professional guided tours, if available, may be charged separately.Timing:
Regular Museum Timings: Patna Museum is generally open from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. It is strictly closed on Mondays and on certain public holidays. It is important to check the timings as they can be subject to change due to staff availability or exhibitions.
...Regular Museum Timings: Patna Museum is generally open from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. It is strictly closed on Mondays and on certain public holidays. It is important to check the timings as they can be subject to change due to staff availability or exhibitions.
Ideal Visit Time: The best time to visit is the Late Morning (10:30 AM to 1:00 PM) on a weekday (Tuesday to Friday). This allows for a peaceful, unhurried exploration before the midday rush and before the light starts to fade in the galleries.
Seasonal Consideration: The cool Winter months (October to March) are ideal, as the indoor environment provides a welcome break from the pleasant outside temperatures.Special Events:
Centenary Celebrations: The museum has hosted major events to celebrate its centenary (1917-2017), including special exhibitions, commemorative seminars, and the release of postal stamps or publications, showcasing its long history.
Special Exhi...Centenary Celebrations: The museum has hosted major events to celebrate its centenary (1917-2017), including special exhibitions, commemorative seminars, and the release of postal stamps or publications, showcasing its long history.
Special Exhibitions: Temporary exhibitions are frequently organized, often in collaboration with the ASI or other museums, to display specialized collections, such as rare coins, manuscripts, or archaeological finds that are not part of the permanent display.
Heritage Week Observances: The museum is a central venue for local and national Heritage Week celebrations, offering free entry, special guided tours, and lectures to promote cultural awareness among the youth and the general public.Best Photo Spots:
The Indo-Saracenic Facade: The most defining photo spot is the grand exterior of the museum building. Use the surrounding lawns and the cannon to frame the two-story, arched facade, showcasing its stately, colonial-era architecture.
The Fossil ...The Indo-Saracenic Facade: The most defining photo spot is the grand exterior of the museum building. Use the surrounding lawns and the cannon to frame the two-story, arched facade, showcasing its stately, colonial-era architecture.
The Fossil Tree Exhibit: Capture the entire length of the giant fossilized tree trunk. Use a person next to it to show the sheer scale and age of the exhibit. This makes for a dramatic natural history photograph.
The Buddha Relic Casket: A respectful, close-up photograph of the ornate display case holding the relic casket is an essential shot, capturing the spiritual and historical gravity of the artifact.
The Central Staircase: The grand, sweeping staircase in the main hall (if accessible and photogenic) makes for a beautiful architectural interior shot, emphasizing the height and symmetry of the halls. (Approx )Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Viewing the Fossil Tree and Buddha Relics: The main activity is viewing the two star attractions: the imposing, ancient fossilized tree trunk and the highly sacred casket containing the Buddha relics. Take time to read the detailed placards that explain their origin and significance. The Buddha relics are particularly important for spiritual reflection. Exploring the Galleries (Post-1764 Focus) Methodically go through the galleries, focusing on the post-1764 period. Look for the collection of British-era paintings depicting daily life, the items related to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and the collection of ancient coins and textiles, which showcase the social and political history of Bihar during the late colonial period.
Appreciating the Architecture: Walk the perimeter of the majestic Indo-Saracenic building, admiring the blend of...
Information
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Why Famous:
The 200 Million-Year-Old Fossil Tree: It is most famous for housing the fossil of a tree trunk, believed to be over 200 million years old, a unique natural history exhibit that draws visitors interested in paleontology and ancient natural history.
Read MoreThe 200 Million-Year-Old Fossil Tree: It is most famous for housing the fossil of a tree trunk, believed to be over 200 million years old, a unique natural history exhibit that draws visitors interested in paleontology and ancient natural history.
The Buddha Relic Casket: The museum is one of the few places in the world to house what are believed to be the sacred ashes (relics) of Gautama Buddha, enshrined within a casket recovered from a stupa in Vaishali. This makes it a significant site for Buddhist pilgrims globally.
The Jadu Ghar Nickname: The local nickname Jadu Ghar (House of Magic) is famous in itself, reflecting the awe and wonder the original eclectic collection evoked in the local populace, a reputation that has endured even after the collections were split.
Indo-Saracenic Architecture: The beautiful and historic Indo-Saracenic building, a colonial-era landmark designed to resemble a nobleman's mansion, is a recognized architectural heritage site in its own right, predating many of the city's modern structures.Architecture:
Indo-Saracenic Architecture: The museum building is a prominent example of the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, which flourished under the British Raj. This style consciously combines decorative and structural elements from native Indian traditions (Mughal, Rajput) with ...Indo-Saracenic Architecture: The museum building is a prominent example of the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, which flourished under the British Raj. This style consciously combines decorative and structural elements from native Indian traditions (Mughal, Rajput) with Gothic and Neoclassical features of the West. Key characteristics of the Patna Museum include its grand scale, the use of large arches, domes, and often intricate stone carvings and details.
Two-Storey Grandeur: The structure is a two-storey building designed with a focus on light and ventilation, featuring high ceilings and long verandahs to accommodate the large exhibition halls. The layout is symmetrical and imposing, intended to evoke a sense of civic grandeur appropriate for a major state institution.
Material and Aesthetic: The building is constructed of brick and stone, with a distinctly reddish-brown external facade that gives it an aged, stately appearance. The design by Rai Bahadur Bishnu Swarup was a deliberate attempt to project a blend of traditional respect for Indian heritage with colonial authority.
Dimensions and Future Link: The museum complex includes the main exhibition building, an administrative wing, and surrounding lawns/gardens for outdoor exhibits (like the cannon). Its historical importance is highlighted by the government's plan to connect it to the newer Bihar Museum via a 1. 4-km-long Heritage Tunnel, a major future architectural project that links the old and new repositories of Bihar's history.How To Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport, Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT), is about 6 KM away. The museum is a major landmark on Buddha Marg, easily accessible by taxi or app-based cab in about 20 minutes.
By Train: Patna Junction (PNBE)...Near Tourist Places:
1.
ISKCON Temple Patna: 1 KM (South-West on Buddha Marg). 2.
Buddha Smriti Park: 1. 5 KM (South on Buddha Marg). 3.
Srikrishna Science Centre: 1 KM (South). 4.
Gandhi Maidan: 3 KM (East). 5.
Golghar: 2 KM (North-East). 6.
Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library: 3. 5 KM (North-East). 7.
Mahavir Mandir: 3 KM (South, near Patna Junction). 8.
Patna Junction Railway Station: 3 KM. 9.
Bihar Museum: 4 KM (South-West). 10.
Patna High Court: 1 KM (West).Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety:
Flash Photography: Strictly do not use flash photography inside the galleries, as it can damage the ancient artifacts and paintings.
Handling: Do not touch any exhibits; follow the rope barr...
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Information about New and Updated Locations(521+) of Bihar Has Been Added :-
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Kesariya StupaKumhrar ParkRohtasgarh FortRuins of VikramshilaValmiki Tiger ReserveBio-Diversity ParkFanishwar Nath Renu JungleForbesganj Mela GroundJogbaniJokihat MosqueMaata Aasawar MandirRampur Over BridgeRaniganj Vriksh VatikaShiva MandirSultan PhokherBaba Bateshwarnath TempleBaithakji Hajipur Baraila Lake More PlacesNote:-
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