Government Museum, Chennai

Established

1851

Location

Pantheon Road, Egmore

Ideal time needed

2 to 3 hours

Closed

Fridays

Nearest railway station

Egmore; Chennai Central about 3.4 km

Distance from airport

About 18 km

History

The museum opened in Nungambakkam in 1851 with about a thousand geological specimens handed over by the Madras Literary Society, and moved to its present site in 1854. It was among the first museums in India run by the government. As the collections grew, new galleries, a lecture hall and a theatre were added, and the buildings now show a mix of Indo-Saracenic, Gothic, Mughal and South Indian styles.

Chennai's first zoo was started on these grounds in 1855; it later moved out and now operates at Vandalur.

What to see

Give yourself time for the galleries that make this museum famous.

• The Bronze Gallery, with one of the finest sets of Chola-era bronze images anywhere
• The Amaravati Gallery of Buddhist limestone sculptures from the Amaravati stupa
• Archaeology, numismatics, zoology and natural history sections
• Palm-leaf manuscripts and a noted group of Roman antiquities
• The Connemara Public Library, which receives a copy of every book published in the country as a national depository
• The Italianate Museum Theatre, still used for cultural events

Timings and tickets

The museum is generally open from morning to late afternoon and stays closed on Fridays and some public holidays. Ticket prices differ for Indian and foreign visitors, and there is a separate fee for cameras, so carry some cash and check current rates at the counter.

How to reach

Egmore railway station is the closest, just a short auto ride away, and Chennai Central is about 3.4 km off. Chennai International Airport is roughly 18 km from the museum. Taxis, city buses and autos reach Pantheon Road easily from most parts of the city.

Tips for your visit

Set aside two to three hours, or half a day if you enjoy archaeology and art. Start with the bronzes and the Amaravati marbles before you tire, and wear comfortable shoes, as the galleries are spread across several buildings.

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