History and architecture are the foremost things associated with Delhi which crosses our mind because of the city’s rich heritage. The Indian capital has a vibrant culture and a longing for art so it’s no surprise that the city is home to so many museums. One of them is the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi, also known by the name “The Jaipur House“.
National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi
The Jaipur House was designed to be a residence for the Maharaja of Jaipur by the architect Sir Arthur Bloomfield in 1936. The building was devised to have butterfly-shaped with a dome in the central area. The idea was galvanized by Sir Edwin Lutyens’s perspective of the Central Hexagon which helped design all the major buildings in the new capital of Delhi.
Special Screenings
The museum is spread across five floors and yet doesn’t have enough space to showcase every piece of artwork in its collection. Thus the museum administrators hold special screenings on numerous occasions to flaunt the artwork and other pieces from history.
Exhibition on India’s 70th Independence Day
Marking the 70th anniversary of India‘s Freedom launched various exhibitions all over the country. This included an exclusive collection of pictures from the freedom movement in India which was when I decided to visit the museum.
The National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi holds a collection of approx 14000 artworks with paintings from renowned artists including Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gill, Raja Ravi Verma and also from some of foreign artists.
Location of the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi
The National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi is located at the central location of the national capital just opposite another landmark of Delhi – India Gate. The museum also holds other branches in Mumbai and one in Bangalore to be opened shortly.
How to reach the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi
- By Metro – The nearest metro station is Central Secretariat from where one may either walk or take an auto.
- By Bus – Bus no 501 goes directly to the museum from Tilak Bridge.
- By Cab/Auto Rikshaw – Cabs/Auto Rickshaws are available from any point in the city going to the gallery.
Related Read – Top 10+ insider tips for first-time travel to Delhi, India!
*Pro-Tip* If you’re visiting by your own car and need parking, go around the entire building complex and reach Gate No 3, the cars are allowed beyond this gate only and even have free parking for visitors too.
Tickets & Time to see the National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi is a really reasonable place to visit with tickets as low as 10 INR ~ 0.1$ for Indians and 50 INR ~ less than 1$ for foreigners. The timings have been altered lately as shown on the entry gate of the museum as 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM. Depending on your art love, the time for sightseeing may vary from 3-6 hours. The museum has 5 floors with permanent collections at the 2nd to 5th floors while the exhibits are rotated at the basement and first floors.
Photographic Tips
The authorities at the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi, don’t allow photography inside the premises. The guards are on roll all the time to ensure this photography ban so don’t even bother clicking pictures. I know this might leave some disappointed, but it’s even better to enjoy contemporary art without continuously trying to click photographs.
The contemporary art museum not only holds paintings and sculptures inside the gallery but the visibility of art is easily prominent from the outside of the gallery as well. As we proceeded towards the ticket counter, we found these beautiful sculptures placed outside in the garden area. The building premises has astounding architecture with wonderful doors and windows which can be seen evidently all over the stretch.
The Metal Tree
My favourite of all the contemporary art, sculptures, paintings and art collections out there in the museum has to be the metal tree highlighting all sorts of utensils. Not only was the tree looking gorgeous but that was such a unique concept to see in an art museum.
I got lucky to visit the museum in the afternoon and catch this gorgeous pink sunset when I finished my tour of the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi. This is one of my favourite sunsets and even got a list in my compilation of World’s Most Beautiful Sunsets.
Have you visited Delhi and did you get a chance to see the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi? Do share your experience with me!
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this is amazing..!! lovely post..Nice photographs..
Woah! I am absolutely obsessed with every India related blog post I read online. I am going to India in a couple of weeks and reads like these gets me even more excited about my upcoming trip 🙂 Thank you for sharing! – Mariella
I’m going to CHennai soon but I really would like to go to Delhi
Never heard about this place, thanks for sharing. Would love to visit someday. 10 RS is quite cheap I must say 😉 Have not visited Delhi for years now, time to revisit 🙂
Hope you visit and also enjoy the place 🙂
There are so many places to see in India and it never runs out of what to showcase. This one I haven’t heard of even when I have read a lot about India. The sculptures outside are beautiful!
I really had no idea that Delhi had such a vibrant contemporary art culture! I would have visited and only seen the old heritage; I’m glad I found out before we went! That metal tree is stunning.
Yes, museums are not as grand as some others but some are worth incorporating in the itinerary 🙁
Very beautiful art museum. The tree outside has to be my favorite piece.
Thank you so much 🙂
Yes, it is a great place for art lovers. Delhi does have many good places that people are unaware of. I also love the new trend of filling up certain areas with street art, like they have done in Shapur Jat, Khirki, and Lodhi Colony etc.
Yes the street art is gaining momentum slowly yet steadily which is a nice addition to the city 🙂
I haven’t visited Delhi yet but would love to! Normally I tend to not enjoy art museums so much, but some of the sculptures look amazing. And that tree is just WOW!
Glad you liked the sculptures and the metal tree😂
I am not too much of an Art fan but I have a friend who sings to my ears ‘Art is life.’ He is s obsessed with art and I’m sure I’d be winning a plus point when I inform of the Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and the cheap price it comes with for visiting. Glad you brought this to my notice
Glad you liked the post 🙂
The exhibits outside the museum are beautiful and unique enough to convince me to check out the interiors! Though I wish photography was allowed inside. I am from Mumbai and I would love to visit the museum’s Mumbai branch someday. Thank you very much for this post!
I would love to know about your experience with the museum’s Mumbai branch.
This art gallery is so interesting. Even the outdoor sculptures are really good. I need to add this to my travel bucket list should I visit Delhi soon!
Glad you liked the post 🙂
That tree is amazing. I love modern art like this. I love how they have made modern art with a distinctly Indian flare. I would love to tour this gallery.
Glad you liked it and hope you visit soon 🙂
I have been to Delhi so many times for work but have had a liesurely trip to enjoy its art and beauty. Should make one soon enough.
Glad you would like to include art gallery in your next trip.
You know I stay pretty close to the modern gallery. Yet, I took almost a decade in planning to visit it. It is such an amazing place. Your post brought all my memories back. Thanks for sharing this.
Glad you liked it 🙂
Delhi is the absolute hub for history lovers. I love visiting the ruins of the monuments and architectures. Though I haven’t been to The Gallery of Modern Art yet. Thanks for writing about it. I would love to visit it soon.
Glad to know you would like the visit the museum 🙂
This looks like an interesting place to explore. India, especially Delhi, has been on my bucket list for some time now so would love to visit this when we do visit! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked the post:)
That silver tree at the top is amazing. I’d go to the museum just to see that. Sounds like the inside was pretty great, too, but nothing like strolling around a sculpture garden.
Yes I agree the sculptures were wonderful
That silver tree is just amazing, I have never seen anything like it. The Jaipur House sounds to be such a cool place. Forwarding this to my husband he will really enjoy it
Glad to know that you liked the post 🙂
Wow Jaipur House is such a historic place to visit. It feels very glorious to see the rare pictures of our freedom fighters and other leaders. As I am an artist, i would love the see the works of Raja Ravi Verma and other sculptures too. Sculptures in the garden are also enchanting. I would love to see this place to get more inspiration in my art.
Glad you liked the post and the museum 🙂
This seems like a really cool museum. I love the juxtaposition of the modern art with the more classical art. It is definitely a must see if I visit India.
Glad you liked the post
I havent visited Delhi yet, and am actually really surprised about the fact it has an art scene. That silver tree statue is incredible!
Glad you liked the museum🙂
The Jaipur House is so cool. Thanks for the introduction to this interesting place. The practical tips on location and parking are also very helpful. We’ll have to visit when in Delhi.
Thank you, glad you found it helpful🙂
Never would think that Delhi would have such a cool art scene. I love the tree of life looking thing in the beginning. Very futuristic and solid for a country like India to have!
It looks like such a nice museum. I really would love to take a visit when I do get the chance to make it out to India. It does look so amazing there.
Hope you like it
I’ve never been to India, but I always have this mental image of it being entirely historic. Obviously, that’s ridiculous. But it’s so cool to get reminders of how modern this country can be, too. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked the post and idea about art museum 🙂
what a fascinating place and so interesting to know Delhi’s rich art history culture. It looks like a really interesting place,
Thanks, glad you liked the post🙂
I have been to Delhi three times now but I didn’t know the existence of this modern art gallery, especially so close to the centre of the city. I think that when you visit a city you should get to know its art as well, and this is only doable if you go to museums and art galleries. It’s nice that the price is so cheap as well, especially for nationals. I never got this while in India though, the two different prices based on your nationality.
In delhi most tourists spots have different ticket prices for Indians and foreign nationals. Hope you can visit the museum in your next trip 🙂
I have been to Delhi but didn’t get a chance to check out its museums. The outdoor sculptures are really modern and unlike what most people think about Indian art. Museums definitely come in handy for rainy day trips in the city.
Agree, museums are a way to know more about the city 🙂
I do love a good museum and especially the kind where they don’t let you take pictures inside. To me, that means that the artifacts and paintings inside are old, fragile, and probably have a beautiful history about them.
Yeah it was different and beautiful than I imagined that’s why i would have preferred pictures but that’s also ok if they don’t allow, we get a decent picture in our minds if we like the place 🙂
My daughter loves art museums. I’m going to send her this link. Thanks!
Glad your daughter will like the post🙂
Never been to Delhi, never been to India, definitely is on my list in the next few years. These pieces of art are so beautiful and impressive, thanks for the amazing photos. And the tickets are indeed very cheap for the foreigners.
Yes, not that of an expensive ticket. Thank you.
Delhi was not on my list, during my last visit to India, however , with all that art it will be my next.
Glad to know that🙂
I’ve been to India, but never Delhi. As they told me it’s a very chaotic city. The museum looks interesting. I like the sculptures in the garden , i always like when there are art pieces in the nature and one can wander around among them!
Yes Delhi is little chaotic yet beautiful & historical in its own way. I really hope you like it in your next visit to India.
I don’t know much about India but this looks like a great place. Maybe one day!
Thank you🙂
It’s one of my fav galleries in Delhi. It holds some unusual exhibits and I simply love the tree of utensils by Subodh Gupta and think this is a perfect home for it.
Thank you🙂
I’ve never visited Delhi or India in fact! This modern art museum looks very cool, and it’s so cheap to visit, just $1?! Three to six hours suggests there must be plenty to see there, but I guess it’s right, as there’s 14,000 pieces of art!
Yes, it really is cheap for such collection. Thanks 🙂
Oh this is definitely being bookmarked for my next visit to Delhi, had no idea this place was there, love the modern art, that tree sculpture in particular!
Thank you so much🙂
14000 art works!!! That is incredible! I am sure it will take one good long day to see them all.
Love museums, but I always rush through them because of time crunch.
Yes it certainly is🙂
No, I’ve never been to Delhi before. All the artwork is so beautiful!
Thank you so much🙂
I’ve never been to India — it’s on my list! Would love to explore the art scene there.
Thank you so much🙂 hope you like it!
There is no art I like more than outdoor sculptures and these pieces are just beautiful! I would love to see them in person.
Thank you so much🙂
Looks like an awesome place. Great find
Thank you so much🙂