From Brain To Airplane: 8 Museums In Bangalore You Need To Check Out

Bangalore has something for everyone – from offering local fare to gastronomic specials to a canvas for art lovers. We decided to pay a quick visit to the museums in the city that you may not know of.

From aircrafts to letters written by Gandhi, folk art to war artefacts from the Indian army, the city’s museums are filled with surprises. Brush up your local history; learn about brain anatomy and how flight simulators work. You probably didn’t know a few of these museums even existed!

1. Kempegowda Museum

Dedicated to the founder of Bangalore, Kempegowda, the museum was opened quite recently, in 2011. Located on the first floor of Mayo Hall, a flight of wooden stairs leads to the museum. Do not miss the old paintings of Bangalore and its nearby forts along the stairs. The museum has Kempegowda's statue as well as posters and pictures of forts, temples, reservoirs and inscriptions from his time, the 1500s. Best to check it out for the old photographs of the city.

Where: Mayo Hall, MG Road
Timings: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: +919731921072

2. Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum

The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum dedicated to Bharat Ratna M. Visvesvaraya was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. The museum showcases ‘all things tech’. Among them, an experiential flight simulator, a simulation of a rocket launching station, virtual reality devices, robotic dinosaurs and information about climate change, among other fascinating displays. Part of the museum is a mobile science exhibition, which museum visitors cannot see, because the exhibition is in a bus touring different parts of South India. The museum has science activity centres and offers annual memberships.

Where: Kasturba Road, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar
Timings: Everyday; 10 am to 6 pm
Entry: Rs 40
Contact: +918022866200

3. Aerospace Museum

The HAL Aerospace Museum is part of the HAL Heritage Centre and Aero Space Museum. Spread over large lush green land, the museum was started in 2001. The display is divided into two halls – one showcasing photographs that chart the growth of Indian aviation since 1940, and the other displays exhibits of various aircrafts, helicopters, engine models, flight simulators and a mock air traffic control tower among other interesting models. An equal hit amongst kids and adults, we plan to spend our weekend checking this one out.

Where: HAL Old Airport Road, Marathahalli
Timings: Everyday, 9 am to 5 pm
Entry: Rs 30
Contact: +918022318341

4. Gandhi Museum

The Gandhi Bhavan was inaugurated in 1965 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad with the intention to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and philosophies. Located close to the place where Gandhi had stayed during his visit to old Mysore state in 1927. The museum displays photographs covering his entire life, books, placards of his quotes and copies of letters written by him.

Where: Kumara Park East, Seshadripuram
Timings: Monday to Saturday; 10.30 am 1.30 pm | 3 pm to 5 pm
Contact: +918022261967
Entry: Free

5. Government Museum

One of the oldest museums in the country, the Government Museum was opened in 1865. Two exhibition floors, divided into 18 galleries are dedicated to specific exhibits. These include natural history, geology, art, music and numismatics among other sections. The prized collections of the museum include the earliest Kannada inscription – the Halmidi inscription.

Where: Kasturba Road
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday; 10 am to 5 pm
Entry: Rs 10
Contact: +918212424673

Also read: Best Places To Visit In Bangalore

6. Karnataka Folk Museum

Founded in 1994, this one is a haven for folk lovers. A huge complex, the museum is spread across three buildings in the outskirts of Bangalore. The first houses a unique collection of life-size dolls dressed as Yakshanga artists, Coorgi folk, folk instruments, puppets, masks, utensils and weapons. The ground floor named, Boothada Gallery, showcases life size statues of ghosts made of wood and stone. The second building displays earthen jars and baskets among other objects, and the third, synonymous to its name Chitrakootha, displays photographs covering various aspects of folk life. The museum is well known for its collection of folk music and video collection of folk dances.

Where: Janapada Loka, Bangalore-Mysore Highway, Ramnagar District
Timings: Wednesday to Monday; 10:30 am to 5:00 pm
Entry: Rs 15
Contact: +918023605033

7. Madras Sappers Museum and Archives

You can see objects straight from World War II at The Madras Sappers Museum and Archives. The museum is a tribute to the Sappers, also called the Madras Engineer Group. They are the oldest regiment of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. This museum shows their history, achievements and displays armory used by the regiment. Medals and uniforms form part of the exhibits. But you will need special permission from the army to visit this museum. It’s worth it though!

Where: KG Halli, D' Souza Layout, Ashok Nagar
Entry: With special permission only
Contact: 096324 59384

8. Brain Museum

Started in 2011, Brain Museum at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), has a diverse collection of over 600 brain samples. The museum is the brainchild of Dr SK Shankar, a professor and head of department of neuropathology. It took close to 30 years of brain donations to set up the museum. What’s more? You can pledge to donate your brain after your death.

Where: 26/14, 3rd Main Rd, Sattar Layout, Lakkasandra, Wilson Garden
Timings: Wednesday, 2:30 pm to 4 pm
Entry: Free
Contact: +918026563357