Crafts Museum

Crafts Museum, Delhi 

Crafts Museum Delhi is located at Bhairon Road, Pragati Maidan. Museum is also known as National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum. Museums in managed by Ministry of Textiles. The museum was established in the year 1950 by the efforts of freedom fighter Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. The whole museum is set up like a village and the current building was designed by architect Charles Correa. A village complex also in the museum spreads over an area of 5 Acre. The entry to the Crafts Museum can be availed from Bhairon Road and Pragati Maidan. The museum displays more than 35,000 of rare and vintage articles and crafts.

Collection at Crafts Museum

• Jewellery and Valuables

The section flaunts a beautiful collection of Indian antiques and vintage jewellery. It showcases a metal plate called Theva plate with historical scenes depicted on it, a skull neckpiece dating back to the early 20th century, a metal neckband worn by Naga warriors, a ruby-studded Mangamalai (mango necklace) popular especially in Tamil Nadu and Hansli (popular in Rajasthan) from the late 18th century.

• Metal Objects

The gallery has a copper pot from the early 19th century, a brass figurine of Radha from the 18th century, a peacock casket (popularly known as Mayur Phorua), head of Goddess Gauri- an incarnation of Goddess Parvathy, Bidriware utensils from the late 18th century, and other deities in metal etc.

• Matting and Weaving

The products include hukkas made in bamboo stalks, floor matting called Sheetalpatti, cane and bamboo grain baskets etc.

• Textiles

It has different textile products like temple hangings, sarees with hunting scenes called ‘Shikargah’, loom-woven vintage shawls, patched clothes, a story depicting kerchiefs, block prints and the like.

In addition to these, the museum boasts of a vast and varied collection of terracotta figurines, glazed pottery, wooden Krishna panels, ‘Jali’ latticework, wood carvings, toys and masks, Indian folk-paintings like Madhubani and Chitrakathi etc., ancient opium containers, gunpowder cases and other antique stuff.

Galleries at Crafts Museum

• Bhuta Sculpture Gallery

Bhuta Cult refers to the worship of spirits which was synonymous with the coastal region of Karnataka. This gallery is a visual representation of the Bhuta Cult with the help of sculptures.

• Folk and Tribal Crafts Gift Gallery

Showcasing the folk and tribal traditions of India, this gallery has a collection of folk paintings and frescos and different daily objects from across the nation.

• Cultic Crafts Gallery

This gallery displays sculptures, accessories, products and objects of rituals from different religious practices of India.

• Court Craft Gallery

Court Craft Gallery has a collection of home decor and valuable products made to adorn the ancient palaces and royal homes.

• Textile Gallery

This gallery has a plethora of textile and handloom products, hand- woven or machine made from different states across India.

Cafe Lota at Crafts Museum

Crafts Museum houses a contemporary restaurant which serves sumptuous and healthy regional Indian dishes. The restaurant is decorated with beautiful terracotta figurines, and soft music is played live from All-India radio. A visit to the restaurant is nothing but a sheer retro delight. The cafe is opened from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM every day of the week except on Mondays.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Crafts Museum is between October and March when the weather is pleasant with the daytime temperatures ranging from 20 to 28 degree Celsius.

Timing

The Crafts Museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm between July and September. From October to June the museum is open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is closed on Monday and national holidays.

How To Reach Crafts Museum

The museum is located near Pragati Maidan. The distance of the museum from New Delhi Railway Station is 5 KM and 6 Kilo Meter from ISBT Kashmere gate. IGI airport is 30 KM away from Crafts Museum. The nearest Metro station is Pragati Maidan of blue line. Apart from the Metro you can take a DTC bus, auto and cab to reach the museum.