Your adventurous journey to Bhopal is incomplete without a visit to the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya.This scenic spot at Shamla Hills, overseeing the Upper Lake of Bhopal, is home to the 34-year-old Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), India’s largest open-air anthropological museum. It portrays the tale of humankind in space and time through indoor and outdoor exhibitions. The indoor exhibits portray the prehistoric modern cultures of India, while outdoor exhibitions give a glimpse of India’s rich and diverse architectural heritage. The museum depicted the evolution of mankind over the years very beautifully in the exhibits. The Museum of Mankind is one of the most popular destinations in Bhopal among tourists and locals alike. So, let’s explore the history of the Mankind Museum and learn about its exhibitions and antique collections of artefacts.
About Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
Image Credit: Sgbot321 for Wikimedia Commons
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is a particular mankind museum at Shyamla Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It is about 1 kilometre from Van Vihar National Park and 9 kilometres from Bhopal Junction. It is one of India’s most immense and leading anthropological museums, making it a top tourist destination in Bhopal.
Also known as the Museum of Man or the National Museum of Mankind. It was built in 1985 and covers approximately 200 acres of land. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya depicts the story of the evolution of man and culture through antique exhibits or an extensive collection of artefacts with particular reference to India.
Also Read: Places To Visit In Bhopal
The Ancient Collections At Sangrahalaya
Image Credit: Mujeebcpy for Wikimedia Commons
The museum offers an opportunity to explore the most unpretentious but artistic artefacts of the rich Indian culture and legacy through its extensive exhibition collections. This historical museum has 8 open-air galleries and 12 indoor galleries. Traditional Technology Park, Himalayan Village, Coastal Village, Tribal Habitat, Desert Village and Mythological Trail are the names of the galleries in the museum. The museum also has a regional centre for the South Indian region, located with the Upper Lake. Tourists can access the museum from Demonstration School Road or Lake View Road. The notable fact about the museum is that it is the only one to keep painted rock shelters with its post-colonial repertoire of tribal folk, art, and culture. An impressive episodic and travelling on various topics exhibit of the museum attracts tourists from all over the region.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya has many antique collections of wealthy Indian Culture and Heritage depicted through appealing exhibitions. The museum has 17 collections, and each of the galleries in the museum offers a different cluster of artefacts such as tools and weapons, textiles, narcotics, ornaments, musical instruments, fishing and much more. The museum’s animal husbandry has a comprehensive collection of articles from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, etc. It includes bark rope to tie the animal, an ornament for buffalo, a brass bell for cattle, a nose top for camels, and many other articles related to animal husbandry. Tourists can learn about their names, materials, and uses.
Art And Crafts At Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
Image Credit: Brett Sayles for Pexels
IGRMS has a good collection of folk and tribal ornaments of India, gathered from other parts of the country in different materials. It includes shells, threads, feathers, silver, bronze, lac, glass, beads, bones, copper, etc. It reflects both the traditional wearing and the material used. Tools and weapons are the instruments that man uses to solve domestic problems. The museum has vast collections of tools once used by Jounsari, Korku, Kota, and Chenchu tribes, which were collected from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and other states. It includes a fire-making device, Adze, mango cutting tool, sugar-can crusher, oil crusher, rope weaving, toddy tapping tool, and many more.
The museum has an extensive collection of traditional musical instruments, categorised based on shape, size, use, and typology and have split into different groups like wind, clapper, percussion, and string instruments. Wind instruments include whistles, flutes, blowing pipes, bugles, etc. Clapper groups have musical bells, cymbals, and gongs. The percussion instruments have a Tambourine and single or double membrane drums, whereas the String Instruments include a Musical bow, Sitar, Violin, etc. Art and crafts play an essential role in our Indian folk and tribal societies by fulfilling the requirements that later on were defined as ‘Shilp’. The museum has a great collection of traditional Arts and Crafts, including terracotta, wood, grass, shells, iron, paintings, and metal objects, which are essential parts of the socio-religious hierarchy of traditional and modern villages and tribes in India.
Related Post: Things To Do In Bhopal
Timings And Entry Fees
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is open from 11 AM to 6.30 PM from March to August and 10 AM to 5.30 PM from September to February on all days of the week except Mondays and public holidays. During these hours, tourists can witness the Indian folk and tribal society’s ancient artefacts and expansive collections of articles in the one and only Museum of Mankind, Bhopal.
The entry fee for this adventurous and historical museum is Rs 50 per head and Rs. 25 for Students and Groups, and the entry for children below 12 is free. Tourists can purchase tickets from the entrance of the museum, which has 2 gates, gate no. 1 (near the Regional College entry gate) and gate no. 2 (toward the boat club at Van Vihar Road ). as well as through the official website of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya. The prices of the tickets do not remain the same and can fluctuate, so it is good to check with the museum’s official website or authorities to learn the latest prices.
You May Also Like To Read: Places To Visit Near Bhopal
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) is the largest open-air anthropological museum in India, which depicts the stories of the evolution of mankind and the culture of India. The museum also has a vast collection of articles on rich Indian Culture and Heritage portrayed in its impressive exhibits, making it a treasure trove for history lovers and artefact enthusiasts. So, add the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya to your Bhopal journey and plan your trip to Madhya Pradesh with our guiding tour packages. Explore the evolution of the rich history and culture of our Indian folks and tribals.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Credit: Mujeebcpy for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
Where is Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya situated?
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is a special mankind museum located at Shyamla Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated at a distance of about 1 kilometre from Van Vihar National Park.
What is the entry fee of Manav Sangrahalaya?
The entry fee for this adventurous and historical museum is Rs 50 per head and Rs. 25 for Students and Groups and the entry for children below the age of 12 is free.
How many acres is Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya?
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya was built in 1985 and spread over approximately 200 acres of land.
Which is the Nearest railway station from Manav Sangrahalaya Bhopal?
The nearest railway station is Bhopal Junction, located about 9 kilometres from Manav Sangrahalaya.
The children’s entry in Manav Sangrahalaya is free?
The entry is absolutely free for children below the age of 12.
People Also Read:
Lady Wilson Museum Kumarakom Craft Museum Naval Aviation Museum
Unveil the hidden treasures of the globe and turn every travel dream into reality. As a Content Writer, I am passionate enough to craft stories from ancient wonders to modern marvels. My words paint the picture-perfect itinerary for unforgettable experiences. Let my words be your trusted guide to immerse in the diverse culture and discover the beauty of the unknown.
