The
largest museum of Delhi, the National museum at Janpath offers a unique
insight into the history and culture of India. It has a wide array of
exhibits depicting the five thousand years of Indian history. The museum
remains closed on Mondays. The three floors of the museum offer you
splendid and priceless pieces of Indian art and sculpture that have been
arranged in galleries according to the period to which they belong. The
famous sculpture of Dancing Girl from Mohenjodaro belonging to 2,500 BC,
the Moghul period paintings and Arabian manuscripts are some of the
prized possessions of this museum. The silk banners, sculpture and wall
paintings that were a part of Sir Aurel Stein's collection in the
Central Asian gallery are worth seeing. There is the Jewellery section, a collection of Indian miniature paintings from Mughal, Rajasthani and Pahari schools, simple stone Neolithic Tools dating back to 3,000 -1,500 BC, shell and bone jewellery belonging to Indus Valley Civilization of Mohenjodaro and Harappa and also the carved pillars and statues of the Mauryan dynasty. The fine bronze idols, stone sculpture, textiles, coins and tribal art are all exhibited here. The men love the display of weapons and historical costumes on the third floor while the display of over 300 musical instruments in the museum awes the music lovers. The more inquisitive can also attend the film shows on the art heritage of India on weekdays at 2:30 pm and on weekends at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm.
