International Museum Day: 10 unusual museums to explore across India

This International Museum Day, May 18, here are India’s most unexpected museum experiences, ranging from black magic to toilets and fossil parks.

1. Mayong Central Museum and Emporium of Black Magic, Guwahati

Opened in 2002, the visitors get to experience a glimpse of Mayong, a village with a magical legacy. The emporium contains manuscripts on Black Magic and Ayurveda, along with artefacts like old coins, and bracelets made from bones and shells used to perform rituals.

2. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, Delhi

Dedicated to the global history of sanitation and toilets, the displays include sanitation artefacts from 3000 BC and exhibits from 50 countries. Exhibits include chamber pots, decorated Victorian seats, and even toilet pots made of gold and silver used by Roman emperors.

3. INS Kursura Submarine Museum, Visakhapatnam

A Soviet-built submarine inducted into the Indian Navy in 1969 and decommissioned in 2001, it participated in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 and played a major role in patrol missions. Around ₹6 crore was spent to establish it as a museum ship at RK beach.

4.  NIMHANS Brain Museum, Bengaluru

Founded by Dr. S.K. Shankar, HOD of Neuropathy at NIMHANS, the museum showcases 500 brain specimens with not just human brains but also animal brains. It also houses brains with disorders and diseases like Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.

5. Paradox Museum, Mumbai

This interactive museum delivers an immersive experience through optical illusions. It’s fun and the ultimate Instagrammable place that also educates on the science behind these mind-bending paradoxes.

6. Indian Music Experience Museum, Bengaluru

Established in 2019, the museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing Indian musical heritage. There are nine exhibit galleries, an outdoor Sound Garden, and a learning centre with genres ranging from Hindustani and Carnatic music to Bollywood and Indie Pop.

7. Calico Museum of Textiles, Ahmedabad

Founded in 1949, Calico’s collection of Indian textiles is considered to be the finest and most comprehensive in the world. There are collections ranging from Kalamkari prints to court textiles used by Mughals and South Indian bronze objects, and Jain art and sculpture.

8. Shankar’s International Doll’s Museum, Delhi

This museum has the largest collection of dolls in India, with over 6500 dolls from around the world. One section contains dolls from Western countries like the UK, the USA, and Australia. The other section contains dolls from Asia and African countries, including India.

9.  Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park, Gandhinagar

The fossil park, also known as India’s Jurassic Park, houses fossilised remains and petrified eggs of dinosaurs. The fossils date back 66 million years. The park also displays life-size models of the dinosaurs along with the details of each period they existed.

10. National Rail Museum of India, Delhi

This is India’s first transport museum with about 88 real-life-size outdoor exhibits, including locomotives, saloons, carriages, cranes, and special coaches of various gauges. The collections showcase 160 years of Rail history in the Indian sub-continent. 

Lifestyle