aventuro Back to map A
Museums #18 in Patna

Patna Museum

4.3 · 5,952 reviews
Scholarly and historic
Patna Museum, Buddh Marg, Lodipur, Patna, Bihar 800001, India
Interesting facts
1

The museum holds a 200-million-year-old fossilized tree trunk displayed in the garden.

2

The Didarganj Yakshi, a life-sized sculpture carved from a single piece of Chunar sandstone, is over 2,000 years old.

3

The main building design combines Mughal-style domes with Rajput-inspired archways, typical of the colonial Indo-Saracenic architectural style.

4

The museum was originally established in 1917 to house historical artifacts discovered in the Patna region during British excavations.

Overview

Patna Museum, locally known as Jadu Ghar, houses an extensive collection of Indian historical artifacts dating from the Mauryan to the Mughal periods. The institution is housed in a distinct Indo-Saracenic building completed in 1917, featuring Mughal and Rajput architectural elements. Its collection includes the world-famous Didarganj Yakshi, a polished Mauryan-era sandstone sculpture. The museum grounds feature a rare fossilized tree estimated to be approximately 200 million years old. Galleries are organized to display terracotta figures, thangkas, and Buddhist sculptures found in the Bihar region. It also maintains a collection of weapons, paintings, and personal items belonging to former local colonial administrators.

Photo spot

The main entrance facade, showcasing the signature Indo-Saracenic dome and red-sandstone architecture.

Insider tips

Focus on the main gallery for the Mauryan period sculptures as they represent the museum's most significant historical assets.

Verify the current status of specific galleries, as parts of the collection are occasionally rotated between this facility and the Bihar Museum.

What to avoid

Do not confuse this museum with the newer Bihar Museum located nearby; they are two separate institutions.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays and national public holidays.

Etiquette

Maintain silence in the galleries; photography of specific artifacts may be prohibited or require an additional fee.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Winter months (November to February) to avoid the intense heat of the Bihar summer.
Address
Patna Museum, Buddh Marg, Lodipur, Patna, Bihar 800001, India
25.613, 85.133
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsDidarganj Yakshi, 200-million-year-old fossilized tree, Mauryan-period stone sculptures

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Winter months (November to February) to avoid the intense heat of the Bihar summer..

The main entrance facade, showcasing the signature Indo-Saracenic dome and red-sandstone architecture.

Close by you'll find Gandhi Maidan, Buddha Smriti Park, ISKCON Temple Patna.