Government Museum, Mathura
Mathura Museum Timing
10:30 am to 04:30 pm
Opens – Tuesday to Saturday
Mathura Museum Ticket Price
- Children Aged 1-5 Year – Free
- Children Aged 5-12 year – 2 ruppes
- Indian Tourist aged Above 12 years – 5 Ruppes
- Foreign Tourist – 25 ruppes
- Camera Fees – 20 ruppes
Government Museum, Mathura
The Government Museum in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is a famous archaeological museum that showcases the region’s rich history and culture. Established in 1874 by Mr. F.S. Growse, a scholar and archaeologist, the museum was initially called the “Curzon Museum of Archaeology.” Over time, it has undergone several changes and has been known as the “Government Museum, Mathura” since 1974.
The museum is housed in a striking red sandstone building that is octagonal in shape. Its artistic design and bold use of red sandstone make it a landmark in Mathura. The architecture itself is worth admiring, adding to the overall experience of visiting this treasure trove of history.
Incredible Collection
The museum is home to one of India’s finest collections of archaeological artifacts. Most of these were uncovered during colonial-era excavations. The collection includes sculptures, pottery, paintings, coins, and other artifacts primarily from the Kushan and Gupta periods, spanning from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE.
It is especially famous for the Mathura School of Art, showcasing exquisite sculptures from the ancient Kushan and Gupta empires. Visitors can also see rare clay sculptures, metal artifacts, coins, and even miniature paintings.
Galleries
The museum has several galleries, each dedicated to a specific era or theme:
- Terracotta Gallery
- Maurya and Shunga Gallery
- Kushan Gallery
- Naag Gallery
- Gupta Gallery
- Krishna and Balaram Gallery
- Medieval Gallery
- Sun Gallery
- Gandhara Gallery
Highlights of the Collection
The museum holds over 47,000 artifacts, including:
- Stone sculptures: 5,100
- Terracotta items: 2,800
- Metal artifacts: 360
- Pottery pieces: 293
- Miniature paintings: 352
- Miscellaneous items: 1,494
It also boasts a massive collection of coins, including:
- Gold coins: 178
- Silver coins: 5,800
- Copper coins: 18,724
Must-See Artifacts
Some of the must-see artifacts include:
- Clay sculptures like the Mother Goddess from the Shunga period.
- Unique coins, such as ones featuring Balarama.
- Metal statues from the Kushan period, including depictions of Kartikeya and snake deities.
- Beautiful temple backdrops and Sanjhi paintings.
Government Museum Photos
Distance for Museum
| Place Name | Distance |
|---|---|
|
Mathura Railway Station |
2.3 km |
|
Dwarkadish Temple |
1.6 km |
|
Vishram Ghat |
1.6 km |
|
Vrindavan |
10 km |
How to Reach Museum
By Road: You can easily hire a cab from Agra, Mathura, or Delhi to travel to the Government Museum. It is approx. 162 km from Delhi, 60 kms from Agra.
By Train: The city is well-connected with almost all cities across the country. The nearest railway station is in Mathura, located 2.3 kms away.
By Air: The nearest fully functional commercial airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, approx. 152 km away.