Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is in Pune, Maharashtra. The museum has nearly around 20,000 collections of objects paintings, handicrafts, armour-suits, musical instruments and many other objects of art and artifacts collected from all over the world. The building has been designed in a Rajasthani-style, but the galleries give a clear depiction of the life and culture of the Marathas.

Dinkar Kelkar spent almost 60 years traveling and purchasing objects from the remote areas and towns of India. Dividing into 36 sections, the collections are confined mostly to everyday life like pots, lamps, containers, nutcrackers, pen stands. 'Mastani Mahal' is regarded to be the masterpiece to this museum, which was erected here in its original form.

Articles belonging to Mughal and Maratha periods that dates back to 17th century are displayed at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. Musical instruments, metalwork, exquisite chitrakathi paintings and a unique lock collection are the other attractions of the museum.

Timings: 8.30 am-6.00 pm
Closed On: Government Holidays
Viewing Time: Half an hour

Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum

Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum is at New Palace in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Curious and interesting collections from the possessions of Maharaja Shahaji Chhatrapati like guns, trophies and clothes are preserved here. The Maharaja was died recently died in 1983. British architect Charles Mant designed the New Palace in 1881 in the Indo-Sarcenic style.

The museum also has large, excellent weapons collection, including a gold-plated, double-barreled shotgun, some swords, and other guns. There is also one of Aurangzeb's swords at the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum.

Kolhapur is well connected by air, rail and road with major cities of India. Hotels are available in Kolhapur.

Shri Bhavani Museum

Shri Bhavani Museum in Aundh, which is 48 km from Satara in Maharashtra. The museum has 500 miniature paintings of all major schools - Jaipur, Kangra, Mughal, Punjab, Bijapur, Pahadi and Maratha of the period between 15th and 19th century. Shri Bhavani Museum is probably the only museum in India, which has such a large collection.

Built by the Raja of Aundh, late Bhawanrao Pantpratinidhi in 1938, it is now looked after by the State Government and is the only museum out of the 13 state museums in Maharashtra. The Museum exhibits mainly the work of Bhawanrao done in his lifetime. Shri Bhavani Museum also has the famous stone created structure of 'Mother and Child' by Henry Moore. It was last exhibited in Delhi 10 years ago.

Shri Bhavani Museum has a large section dedicated to stone created structures including the famous 'Mother and Child' by Henry Moore. The museum has four sections entirely devoted to Western paintings that includes Madonna of the Book by Andrea Del Sarto; a Rembrandt self-portrait, In The Prison Of Aurangzeb by A.H. Muller, Beggar Boy by Bartona Morilla, Franciso by L. Goya, Boy Volunteer by G.G. Hierice, Game of Draughts by F. Morelli, Pairs by Cornil and many more.

Nearest railway station is at Satara Road.

Timings: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Closed On: Mondays

Taraporewala Aquarium

Taraporewala Aquarium is at congested locality of Marine Drive in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has marine life and rare species of fishes and exquisite pearl jewellery. The aquarium has plans to renovate shortly into a high-tech Aquarium with special attractions like glass vision sea-world and an underwater sea walk.

The first President of free India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad formally opened it in 1951. The Aquarium has sea life like shark, octopus, kite fish, corals, worms, sea flower, sea horses, pearls and shells. Articles crafted from shells and pearls are also displayed here.

Mumbai is well connected by air, rail and road with major cities of India.

Closed On: Mondays

Tribal Museum

Tribal Museum is located at Pune in Maharashtra. It is near the railway line, which is just east to the railway station. Maharashtra is a vast country and there are uncountable numbers of tribal in this country. Having different languages, these tribes have their own food habits, taboos, and beliefs - in short distinct cultures.

Tribal Museum exhibits the cultures of the tribal communities mainly from the Sahyadari and Gondwana regions. It is a place where one can find to get an insight into the lives of the tribal communities of Maharashtra.

Pune is well connected by air, rail and road with any city of India.

Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on: Sundays and government holidays.
Entry: Free
Photography: Allowed with permission.