India is full of stories some you read in textbooks, and some you stumble upon in quiet corners of forgotten museums. While popular museums like those in Delhi or Kolkata get all the attention, many lesser-known institutions across the country quietly preserve history, art, and culture in unique ways.
These 11 museums are fascinating not just because of what they display, but because of how they reveal a side of India most people never get to see. And the best part? They’re not crowded.
1. Revi Karunakaran Museum – Alappuzha, Kerala
A stunning white marble building tucked away in Alleppey, this private museum holds one of India’s largest collections of Swarovski crystals, ivory carvings, antique furniture, and Tanjore paintings. The collection spans three generations of a local Syrian Christian family, offering a rare glimpse into luxury, trade, and craftsmanship from the region.
Location: CCSB Road, near Power House Bridge, Alappuzha, Kerala – 688012
Just 1 km from Alappuzha Beach, close to town centre.
2. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets – Delhi
Yes, it’s a museum about toilets — and yes, it’s worth your time. From ancient sanitation systems in Harappa to bizarre European commodes, this museum showcases the evolution of toilets across centuries and cultures. Surprisingly educational, mildly hilarious, and very eye-opening.
Location: Sulabh Bhawan, Mahavir Enclave, Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi – 110045
Near Dabri Mor Metro Station, Southwest Delhi.
3. Lok Kala Mandal – Udaipur, Rajasthan
If you want to go beyond palaces and lakes, visit this folk art museum in Udaipur. It features tribal masks, puppets, folk instruments, traditional attire, and performances. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of Rajasthani culture not just royalty, but its grassroots artistry.
Location: NH 8, Shakti Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan – 313001
Just 3 km from City Palace.
4. HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum – Bengaluru
This is India’s first aerospace museum, showcasing fighter jets, engine models, aviation history, and flight simulators. It’s perfect for kids, aviation enthusiasts, or anyone curious about how India developed its air power. You can walk under real aircraft and even try a simulated landing.
Location: HAL Old Airport Road, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560037
Near Manipal Hospital, easily accessible by cab or metro.
5. Don Bosco Museum – Shillong, Meghalaya
This massive 7-floor museum captures the rich cultural diversity of Northeast India. It covers textiles, rituals, tools, crafts, and tribal stories from all seven sister states. The building’s architecture is shaped like a honeycomb and also offers panoramic views of Shillong from the top floor.
Location: Mawlai Phudmuri, Shillong, Meghalaya – 793008
Around 2.5 km from Police Bazaar (city centre).
6. Bhagwan Mahavir Government Museum – Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh
A small but powerful museum, this place holds ancient stone sculptures, bronze idols, and Jain artifacts from the region’s rich dynastic past. It’s one of those quiet government museums with no crowd, no noise just real history.
Location: YV Street, near RIMS Hospital, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh – 516001
Close to Kadapa Railway Station.
7. Museum of Christian Art – Old Goa, Goa
Hidden inside the 17th-century Santa Monica Convent, this museum displays rare Indo-Portuguese Christian art carved altars, paintings, ivory crucifixes, and ceremonial items. It tells the story of Goa’s colonial and cultural blend through sacred objects.
Location: Holy Hill, Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa – 403402
Behind Sé Cathedral, near UNESCO heritage churches.
8. Shankar’s International Dolls Museum – Delhi
Started by political cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai, this museum has over 6,500 dolls from 85+ countries. There’s also a huge section dedicated to dolls in traditional Indian attire, representing each state. It’s playful, nostalgic, and a favorite among school trips.
Location: Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002
Opposite ITO Metro Station, near Mandi House.
9. Arna Jharna – The Desert Museum of Rajasthan, Jodhpur
This open-air museum focuses on everyday tools and folk knowledge especially brooms. Yes, brooms. It explores caste, gender, labor, and identity through simple objects. It’s not a tourist trap; it’s a deep social experience built on the site of an abandoned mine.
Location: Village Moklawas, Jodhpur, Rajasthan – 342006
23 km from Jodhpur city, reachable by taxi.
10. Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum – Delhi
Once her official residence, this museum now preserves Indira Gandhi’s personal belongings, photographs, and rooms just as she left them. You’ll also see the clothes she wore during her assassination and the exact walkway where it happened, marked by a glass panel.
Location: 1 Safdarjung Road, New Delhi – 110011
Near INA Metro Station, opposite Safdarjung Tomb.
11. Museo Camera – Vintage Camera Museum, Gurugram
This modern, beautifully curated space is dedicated to photography. It houses 3,000+ cameras — from Victorian-era wooden box cameras to spy gadgets. There are exhibits on photojournalism, darkroom techniques, and an in-house café. Great for casual visitors and photography lovers alike.
Location: Plot 359, Sector 28, Golf Course Road, Gurugram, Haryana – 122002
Close to Sikanderpur Metro Station, near DLF Phase 1.
Summary – Underrated Museums for Curious Travelers
| Museum Name | Location | Why It’s Fascinating |
|---|---|---|
| Revi Karunakaran Museum | Alappuzha, Kerala | Crystals, ivory, antiques in a private luxury collection |
| Sulabh Toilet Museum | Delhi | World’s sanitation history through quirky exhibits |
| Lok Kala Mandal | Udaipur, Rajasthan | Folk art, puppetry, tribal masks |
| HAL Aerospace Museum | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Fighter jets, simulators, Indian aviation legacy |
| Don Bosco Museum | Shillong, Meghalaya | North East India’s culture in 7 themed floors |
| Bhagwan Mahavir Museum | Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh | Ancient Jain sculptures, Chalukya art |
| Museum of Christian Art | Old Goa, Goa | Indo-Portuguese Christian art and artifacts |
| Dolls Museum | Delhi | 6,500+ dolls from India and around the world |
| Arna Jharna Desert Museum | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | Brooms as social history, rural craft, open-air layout |
| Indira Gandhi Memorial | Delhi | Preserved home and assassination site of former PM |
| Museo Camera | Gurugram, Haryana | Vintage cameras and photography history in modern setup |
These museums may not trend on Instagram or be packed with tourists but that’s exactly why you should visit them. Each one offers a slice of India’s complex, beautiful, and sometimes unexpected heritage. Whether you’re a student, traveler, or someone looking to discover something new, these quiet museums have a lot to say if you’re willing to listen.
