Welcome to Archaeological Museum, Nalanda
Nalanda Museum established in the year 1917 is one of the most prestigious site-museums of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses antiquities found from the excavated site of Nalanda Mahavihara supposedly the earliest university cum monastery complex which flourished during 5th – 12th centuries of Christian era under the patronage of Gupta, Maukhari and Pala rulers. Later on few object collected from the neighbouring villages of Nalanda and few from Rajgir too were added to the treasures of this museum. There about 350 artifacts at display whereas more than thirteen thousand are kept in the reserve collection. Display includes stone images and sculptures, bronzes, stuccos, terracottas, inscription, iron objects, ivory & bone objects and potteries etc. arranged in four galleries and the main hall.
Daily: 09.00 AM - 05.00 PM
Friday: Closed
10 Per Adult Person
Archaeological Museum, Nalanda
Photography, Smoking, Use of Cell, Carring of Bags, Noise
Nalanda Gallery No. 01 exhibits stone images and sculptures of Buddhist, Jaina and Brahmanical faiths through wall showcases and pedestals. Khasarpana Avalokitesvara, tantric deity Heruka trampling Shiva, Aparajita trampling Ganesa, six headed Yamantaka, Marichi riding on chariot
Gallery No. 2 is miscellaneous minor objects found during excavations such as seal-sealings, terracottas, brick-tiles, stucco objects, ivory and bone objects and iron implements etc. have been displayed in Gallery No.2. Terracotta seal with legend “sri nalanda mahaviha riyarya bhikshu sanghasya”,
Gallery No. 03 is meant exclusively for the bronzes of Nalanda. Besides Buddhist sculptures such as Buddha in abhaya, varada & bhumisparsa mudra, Prajnaparmita, Tara, Loknath and many others, some Brahmanical deities like Vishnu, Ganesa, Surya, Kamadeva too have been displayed.
Gallery No. 04 exhibits stone images of Buddhist interest like important events of Buddha’s life, Padmapani, Vajrapani, Tara, Marichi, Jambhala and two miniature temples. Two panels depicting Kinnaras worshipping Kalpavriksha and stone inscriptions of Purnavarman, Yasovarmadeva & Vipulsrimitra