Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum | Timings, Entry Fee, History,

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is a popular museum located in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India. It is named after the famous Marathi poet and scholar, Raja Dinkar Kelkar, who founded the museum in memory of his son, Raja.

History: The museum was founded in 1962 by Raja Dinkar Kelkar, who was a collector of art and artifacts. He spent his entire life collecting items of historical and cultural significance, including paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts. He wanted to create a space where he could showcase his collection and share it with the public. After his death, the museum was donated to the Government of Maharashtra.

Collection: The museum has a vast collection of over 20,000 objects, including artifacts from various parts of India. The collection includes musical instruments, armor, weapons, and textiles, among other things. The museum also has a large collection of traditional Indian toys and puppets.

Timings: The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays and on public holidays.

Entry Fee: The entry fee for the museum is Rs. 50 for adults and Rs. 30 for children. There is a separate fee for photography.

Location: The museum is located on Bajirao Road, in the Shukrawar Peth area of Pune. It is easily accessible by public transport and is located close to many other popular attractions in the city.

What's worth seeing?

There are several things worth seeing at the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, including:

The Mastani Mahal - a reconstructed palace of Mastani, the wife of Peshwa Baji Rao I, which showcases a blend of Maratha and Mughal architecture.

The Musical Instruments gallery - which displays a collection of over 1,500 musical instruments from all over India, including the tabla, sitar, and harmonium.

The Weaponry gallery - which features a collection of swords, shields, spears, and guns from various regions of India.

The Everyday Artifacts gallery - which displays various items used in daily life, such as cooking utensils, toys, and religious items.

The Jain Gallery - which showcases a collection of ancient Jain sculptures and artifacts.

The Peshwa-era gallery - which exhibits objects used during the rule of the Peshwas, the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire.

Overall, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum has an impressive collection that showcases the diverse cultural heritage of India, and visitors can spend several hours exploring the various galleries and exhibits.