Nalanda Museum — Attraction in Bihar

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.

The main hall exhibits master pieces of stone and two huge earthen storage jars. Twelve handed Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, about two meters high image of Samantabhadra, Nagaraj with seven serpent hood canopy, a colossal image of Buddha seated in dharmachakra mudra, a tantric deity Trailokyavijya trampling Shiva-Gauri, and Buddha seated in bhumisparsa mudra are worth mentioning specimens in this hall. The central space of the hall has been occupied by a scale model of the excavated site in a table showcase.

ABOUT GALLERY NO. 1 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 driven by seven pigs and a panel showing eight scenes of Buddha’s life are significant enough among Buddhist specimens whereas Shiva-Parvati, a bifacial panel showing Shiva Parvati & Kuber, Vishnu, Lakshmi and Revanta are Brahmanical highlights. Jaina images include Parsvanath and Rishbhnath, mounted on wooden pedestals shown in dhyana & kayotsarga postures respectively.

ABOUT GALLERY NO. 2 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”, decorative swastika tile, iron padlock, terracotta tablet with pratitya samutpads sutta, sample of charred rice, stucco head of Buddha & Bodhisattva and a multi spouted pot found from Rajgir are noteworthy specimens in this gallery.

ABOUT GALLERY NO. 3 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. The objects of day to day use like scepter, quiver, waist-band etc and some miniature stupas & temples of architectural interest have also been displayed in independent show cases.

ABOUT GALLERY NO. 4 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 are the special attraction of this gallery.

"The Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) is included among the world heritage list of UNESCO (2016)."

A visit to Nalanda museum is in fact a meaningful journey through the corridors of our...

The Archaeological Museum, Nalanda (District Nalanda, Bihar)

The museum established in 1917 houses the antiquities mainly those excavated from Nalanda, the earliest university cum monastery complex and from Rajgir.

Out of 13463 antiquities, 349 are on display in the four galleries of the museum. The antiquities from Nalanda are datable from 5th to 12th century AD but some of those from Rajgir are a little earlier in date. The sculptures kept in this museum are made of stone, bronzes, stucco and terracotta but majority of those have been carved on Basalt stone. Most of the images belong to Buddhist faith but those belonging to Jaina or Hindu religion are also quite good in number.

The key gallery displays sixteen sculptures among which Trailokya Vijay (a Vajrayana diety), Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Maitreya, Buddha in Varad, Dharmachakra and Bhumisparsh posture, Samantbhadra, Parshvanath and Nagaraj are worth mentioning. A scale model of excavated remains of Nalanda University occupies the central place of the hall.

There are fifty-seven images and sculptures displayed in the first gallery. Those of Khasarpana, Heruka, Marichi,Vagesvari, Vaishali-mircle, Buddha in varad mudra, miracle of Sravasti, Surya, Lakshmi, Ganesh, Shiva-Parvati, Kuber and Rishabhanath are significant ones.

The second gallery exhibits one hundred and forty seven miscellaneous objects including terracotta, stuccos, iron implements and inscriptions. The terracotta seal with legend “Sri Nalanda Mahavihariya arya bhikshu sanghasya”, the stone inscriptions of Yashovarmana, Purnavarman of Vipula Srimitra, fragmentary tablet of Nidanasutta, terracotta tiles showing swastika and kirtimukha, Dharmachakra,Votive Stupas in pipal leaf motiff and sample of charred rice are some note worthy objects in this gallery. The central showcase exhibits a multi spouted pot related to serpent worship found from Rajgir.

In the third gallery altogether ninety-three specimens of bronzes have been displayed. Two images of Buddha in boon giving posture, Tara, Prajnaparmita, Loknath, Bodhisattava padmapani, Buddha in earth touching posture, depiction of a Buddhist temple, etc. are some important images related to Buddhist faith whereas images of Ganesh, Surya, Kamadeva, Indrani and Vishnu, etc. are examples of Brahmanical religion.

Out of thirty-six stone sculptures and images kept in the fourth gallery. Kinnaras worshipping kalpadrum (2 pannels), Vishnu, crowned Buddha in preaching pose with important events of his life, Buddha in Bhumisparsh-mudhra with eight events, Marichi, Vajrapni and Padmapani Bodhisattvas are worth mentioning.

Two huge jars found from the monastic complex at Nalanda have displayed in a separate shed. A rich wealth of stone sculptures and images, terracotta, bronzes and other antiquarian objects are preserved in its reserve collection.

Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Closed on – Friday

Entrance Fee : Rs. 5/- per head (Children up to...

The museum established in 1917 houses the antiquities mainly those excavated from Nalanda, the earliest university cum monastery complex and from Rajgir.

Out of 13463 antiquities, 349 are on display in the four galleries of the museum. The antiquities from Nalanda are datable from 5th to 12th century AD but some of those from Rajgir are a little earlier in date. The sculptures kept in this museum are made of stone, bronzes, stucco and terracotta but majority of those have been carved on Basalt stone. Most of the images belong to Buddhist faith but those belonging to Jaina or Hindu religion are also quite good in number.

The key gallery displays sixteen sculptures among which Trailokya Vijay (a Vajrayana diety), Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Maitreya, Buddha in Varad, Dharmachakra and Bhumisparsh posture, Samantbhadra, Parshvanath and Nagaraj are worth mentioning. A scale model of excavated remains of Nalanda University occupies the central place of the hall.

There are fifty-seven images and sculptures displayed in the first gallery. Those of Khasarpana, Heruka, Marichi,Vagesvari, Vaishali-mircle, Buddha in varad mudra, miracle of Sravasti, Surya, Lakshmi, Ganesh, Shiva-Parvati, Kuber and Rishabhanath are significant ones.

The second gallery exhibits one hundred and forty seven miscellaneous objects including terracotta, stuccos, iron implements and inscriptions. The terracotta seal with legend “Sri Nalanda Mahavihariya arya bhikshu sanghasya”, the stone inscriptions of Yashovarmana, Purnavarman of Vipula Srimitra, fragmentary tablet of Nidanasutta, terracotta tiles showing swastika and kirtimukha, Dharmachakra,Votive Stupas in pipal leaf motiff and sample of charred rice are some note worthy objects in this gallery. The central showcase exhibits a multi spouted pot related to serpent worship found from Rajgir.

In the third gallery altogether ninety-three specimens of bronzes have been displayed. Two images of Buddha in boon giving posture, Tara, Prajnaparmita, Loknath, Bodhisattava padmapani, Buddha in earth touching posture, depiction of a Buddhist temple, etc. are some important images related to Buddhist faith whereas images of Ganesh, Surya, Kamadeva, Indrani and Vishnu, etc. are examples of Brahmanical religion.

Out of thirty-six stone sculptures and images kept in the fourth gallery. Kinnaras worshipping kalpadrum (2 pannels), Vishnu, crowned Buddha in preaching pose with important events of his life, Buddha in Bhumisparsh-mudhra with eight events, Marichi, Vajrapni and Padmapani Bodhisattvas are worth mentioning.

Two huge jars found from the monastic complex at Nalanda have displayed in a separate shed. A rich wealth of stone sculptures and images, terracotta, bronzes and other antiquarian objects are preserved in its reserve collection.

Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00...