Central Museum, Bhopal

The  Central Museum at Bhopal was established in 1949. On view are paintings, coins, porcelain object, metal and ivory toys and artefact, woodcarvings and a number of  miscellaneous items like needle-works and local handicrafts.

Timing are 10:30 to 17:00 closed on Sunday.

State Museum, Bhopal

As museum devoted to archeology, the State Museum exhibits antiquities like coins, sculptures, terracotta excavated from all the significant sites of the region. Also on the view are paintings and handicrafts, especially those made by the tribal communities of the Baster. 

Timing are 10:00 to 17:00 closed on Monday.

Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal

In February 1982, a unique cultural complex called Bharat Bhavan opened in Bhopal. Built and designed by the well known architecture Charles Correa, the complex is  set in a number of the number of low  building set around the banks of the lake. Here in one compound are the Rang Mandal, the theatre repertory; Anhad, the hall for classical music; Vagath, the poetry Library; Bahirrang, Roopankar, the museum of the art.

H H Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum, Gwalior

Situated in the Jai  Vilas Place, the Scindia Museum has a variety of objects ranging from sculptures, bronze weapon's miniature paintings, manuscripts and coins.

Archaeological Museum, Sanchi

Like most site Museums in India, this one also owes its genesis to an English general accidentally stumbling upon some ancient ruins around 1818. Eventual archaeological explorations revealed one of the richest sculptural finds of Buddhist heritage.

The original stupa was started here by Emperor Ashoka. Successive generations continued to renovate and embellish the original brick stupa with  exquisitely sculpted stone. This  period of superb creativity stretched between 3rd century  AD, blending Hindu and Buddhist styles and building a complex of stupa, temples, monasteries, etc. that remain unparalleled in the excellence of the form and beauty of detailed.

There is a lion capital of an Ashoka pillar here very similar to the one found in Sarnath, the latter  now the emblem of India. Other notable sculptures found here include statues of the Buddha, several bodhisattavas and early Hindu Period statues of Ganesh, Mahishasuramardini among others. 

Timing are 9:00 to 17:00 .

Archaeological Museum, Khajuraho

Khajuraho, once capital of the Chandela dynasty, is today known for its magnificent temples. In 1910,W E Jardine, the then political of Bundelkhand, displayed a collection of the object which he gathered from the  temple complex, in an open air enclosure near the western group of temples. First called the Jardine Museum the name changed to Archaeological Museum in 1952.

Most of the 2000 objects are  masterpieces of  Indian Sculpture. The Nittra Ganesha, a colossal image depicts the elephant-headed god dancing while his attendants keep rhythm; a marvelous Hari -Hara representing the deity whose right half is Shiva and left Vishnu manifests the perfectly conceived unity of the gods. Other outstanding pieces are huge Parvati, Shiva as Andhakasuravadhamurti where the deity is shown wielding his trishul on demon, a seated Bhairava and Sadashivia.

Timings: 1000-1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays.