Gujarat boasts numerous museums that effectively showcase the state's rich cultural and historical heritage, earning it the second-best ranking in India. These museums skillfully capture the essence of Gujarat's culture and tradition, appealing to the hearts of tourists. Notably, the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya in Ahmedabad, established in 1951 and relocated in 1963, stands as a significant tourist attraction in the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Here are some of the best museums to visit when in Gujarat.
A visit to the Vechaar (Vishalla Environmental Centre for Heritage of Art, Architecture and Research) Utensils Museum, located inside the Vishalla Village Restaurant, will make you realise how utility and art was combined to make utensils in the bygone days, how the inherited vessels and other traditional objects we use every day are a commentary on our social evolution. The main building is designed like an Indian hut. There are around 4,000 artefacts, ranging from pre-historic vessels to new-age products. There are utensils made from leaves, a gourd jug, to modern stainless steel and glass utensils. The metal utensils cover everything from brass, copper, bronze, zinc to German silver. Ask for a guided tour. The Vishalla Restaurant serves typical Gujarat thali seating is on the carpeted floor.https://www.vishalla.com/
Address: GVP+G5, opp. Vasna Tol Naka, Rehnuma Society, Vishala, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380055
Entry Fees: Adults INR 50; children aged from 3 - 11 years INR 20
Timings: The museum remains open between 1pm and 3pm and between 5pm and 10.30pm (closed on Mondays).
Love vintage cars? Then a visit to the Auto World Museum in Ahmedabad is a must. The museum was established by the late Pranlal Bhogilal, one of India's famous car collectors. The cars are displayed across a huge area in his Dastan Estate. There are Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Daimler, Langonda, Mercedes, Maybach, Packard, Cadillac, Buick, Auburn, Cord, Lancia, Lincoln, Chrysler, etc. You will find Limousines and Grand Open Tourers for ceremonial occasions, convertible cars used for evening drives, station wagons shaped like a boat as well as a horse drawn carriage, etc. Nearly all of them were built to individual specifications by famous car makers from across the globe. There is a souvenir shop and a cafeteria.
Address: Dastan Estate, Service Rd, Nikol, Kathwada, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382430
Entry Fees: Adults INR 100
Timings: Daily 8 am - 9 pm
Contact: 079 2282 0699
The Calico Museum of Textiles, housed in The Retreat (Sarabhai Foundation) in the Shahibaug area, offers a journey through the different aspects of Indian textiles. There are two wings here - the Haveli showcases religious textiles, as well as south Indian bronzes, Jain art, and Mughal and other miniature paintings the Chauk displays royal tents, carpets, furnishings and costumes of the Mughal and regional courts textiles for Indias export trade as well as a wide range of regional ethnographic textiles. The museum has many do's and dont's, such as children below 10 years of age are not admitted on the museum tour, no handbags/baggage, cameras or mobile phones allowed in the premises as no photography/videography is allowed. Check details here
Address: Opp. Underbridge, Jain Colony, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380004
Entry Fees: Gallery entry is free (Closed on Wednesdays and public holidays)
Timings: Guided tour (10.30 am to 1 pm), restricted to 20 people group
Even if you have seen the private collection of Indian maharajahs elsewhere in India, the collection at Vadodara's Maharaja Fatesingh Museum will still surprise you. Located in the Lakshmi Vilas Palace compound, the museum houses objects collected by the Gaekwads of Baroda, especially Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III (1875-1939). Paintings by Raja Ravi Verma, paintings and sculptures by Venetian artist Fellicci, Japanese and Chinese porcelains, Greek and Roman sculptures, 18th century French furniture, etc. are some of the eye-catching displays here. There is also a dedicated head gear gallery.
Address: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Navapura, Vadodara, Gujarat 390001
Entry Fees: INR 60 for Indians; INR 150 for Foreigners
Timings: 10am to 5pm (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
Contact: 91-8511179951/91-2652426372
If you are keen about regional history, then the Kutch Museum in Bhuj will be of interest to you. Founded in 1877 as the Fergusson Museum by Sir James Fergusson, the oldest museum in Gujarat, now known as the 'Kutchh Museum,' displays a rich collection including gold and silver ornaments, textiles, weapons, archaeological finds, stuffed animals, and musical instruments. Housed in a Gothic-style building, it contains some rare artefacts among others, such as Kshatrapa inscriptions (1st century AD), extinct Kutchi script, kori - once the local currency, etc. There are also displays on tribal and folk crafts. The display on local Kutchi embroidery is interesting.
Address: Opposite Hmisar lake, Ghanshyam Nagar, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001
Timings: Closed Wednesday
Entry Fees: Indian INR 20; Foreign Nationals INR 40
Contact: +91 9675796178
In Bhuj, India's largest memorial and museum, Smritivan, recently opened on the scenic Bhujiyo Dungar hill, spanning 470 acres. Originally created for families affected by the 2001 earthquake, it has become a pilgrimage site and a haven for solace seekers. The memorial features a Sun-Point with panoramic city views, the world's largest Miyawaki Forest promoting environmental well-being, and 50 check-dam reservoirs commemorating earthquake victims while sustaining surrounding ecosystems. The 11,500 sq. meter museum comprises seven unique blocks, offering an interactive experience focused on regeneration, sustainability, and hope for the future.
Address: Bhujio Dungar, Bhuj, Gujarat 370020
Entry Fees: For the musuem, entry of school Students (0-5 Years) is free. Children (<12 Years) INR 100; Indian Adult (12+ Years) INR 300; Foreigners INR 1000
Timings: Open Tuesday to Sunday; Smritivan: 5 AM until 11 PM; Museum: 11 AM until 7 PM
Contact: 079 2325 9283
The Living and Learning Design Centre (LLDC), by the Shrujan Trust, is a comprehensive effort to preserve and revitalize the distinctive craft heritage of Kutch. Located in Ajrakhpur, the expansive complex is not just a world-class crafts museum, but it also serves as a multi-dimensional crafts education and resource center. "The Living Embroideries of Kutch" is a continuous showcase at the museum, highlighting the diverse and exquisite embroideries that define Kutch's rich heritage. It provides training and support to craftspeople in traditional crafts, empowering them to earn a dignified livelihood. Within the museum complex, three galleries, a library, and a crafts studio cater to artisans practicing various crafts such as weaving, block-printing, pottery, and metalwork of the region.
Address: Ajrakhpur village, 15 kilometres from Bhuj on the Bhuj-Bhachau highway.
Entry Fees: Adults - INR 100; Children (5 to 12 years) - INR 20
Timings: Daily 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Contact: 02832 229090