We at Savaari believe in knowing our country fully and with an open heart. And museums are a window into the soul of any city. They offer a glimpse into the history of a place and the present, future, art, people and even science. And Bangalore is a city blessed with a mixture of cultural appreciation as well as a modern outlook on things. The museums in Bangalore are perfect for measuring how far we have come while remembering where we started. And who better to review these little doors that lead into different worlds than the people of Bangalore? So we asked Bangaloreans to share their experiences when they went to these magnificent places of culture in their comfortable Savaari cabs. This article is a compilation of those reviews—It is a piece made of the traveller, by the traveller and for the traveller.
Table of Contents
- Indian Music Experience- A Feast to the ears
- The Museum of Art & Photography (MAP)
- HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum – An aviation delight
- Government Museum- History of the Indian Government
- Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum- Science and play
- NIMHANS brain museum- Touch and feel brains
- Rangoli Gardens Model Village- Experience rural living
- National Gallery of Modern Art- Where timelines collapse
- Click Art Museum- 3-dimensional fun land
- Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath- All things folksy
- Philatelic Museum- A World of Stamps
1. Indian Music Experience- A feast to the ears
“One evening, I was sitting with my friends complaining about how Bangalore doesn’t have anything to do except drinking, partying and parks. My friends jumped to the defence of their homeland by telling me about the Indian Music experience and how amazing it is to have your senses tingle from the sounds. They went far enough to book a Savaari SUV for all of us and take me there. I wanted to be prepared, so I immediately browsed through the internet and found a comprehensive guide to the Indian Music Experience which proved to be so helpful for what was about to come!
The cab was clean, and the driver even let us play music to “warm our ears up” before actually indulging. I loved the Sound Garden, where I could play actual rocks; not very well, but I still think it counts. The documentary on rock music was the coolest thing I have ever seen. The Indian Music experience changed my mind about what museums in Bangalore are supposed to be like. ”
Ravi Shankar
Address- JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078
Timings- 10 AM to 6 PM | Closed on Mondays.
Special exhibits-
- Visit the Sound Garden, where there are 10 musical installations for you to make your own music.
- Immerse yourself in a Wraparound Theatre and learn all about the evolution of sound.
- .Lie on the floor together and gaze up at the sky in the Samay Chakra Theatre.
- Don’t miss this great opportunity to view the stunning Instruments Gallery which features a diverse collection of over 100 instruments.
2. The Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) – A journey in time
“As a passionate museum enthusiast who has traveled the globe appreciating history and art, I was utterly captivated upon entering MAPS. I had the pleasure of introducing this gem to my French colleagues, and they too were deeply impressed. MAPS showcases a remarkable array of South Asian art. With a collection exceeding 60,000 pieces, it not only emphasizes modern art but also intentionally blurs the lines between traditional classifications. The museum has made commendable efforts to commission works from lesser-known communities to fill historical gaps. The seven-story building stands out with its rooftop sculpture that offers a panoramic view of Bangalore’s skyline. Oh, and the outside of the building changes colors as you walk around. Super cool!”
– Sujvi Rawat
Address – 22, Kasturba Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings – Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am–6:30 pm, closed on Mondays
Special exhibits –
- Dialogues in Stone by Stephen Cox: This is showcased in the sculpture courtyard and features basalt work.
- Commissioned Works for Inauguration:
- The Cobra: A playful sculpture by Tarik Currimbhoy located by a small pond in front of the museum.
- Continuous Coexistences II: A sculptural metal piece derived from a combination of India’s rich architectural histories by Ayesha Singh. This is located on the fifth-floor terrace.
- Rock Formation Tower and Welcome Desk: A kinetic sculpture in the lobby area by Arik Levy.
- Time & Time Again curated by Nathaniel Gaskell: This is a retrospective of Jyoti Bhatt’s photography. Jyoti Bhatt is known for his modernist paintings and prints. The exhibition focuses on his documentation of rural life, art, and architecture. It also includes early documentation of renowned artists like M.F. Hussain, Mapu, and J. Swaminathan.
- VISIBLE/INVISIBLE: Representation of Women Through the MAP collection: This is a three-year-long exhibition that delves into the complex ideas behind the visual representation of women in art over time. The exhibition is divided into four narratives:
- Goddess and Mortal
- Sexuality and Desire
- Power and Violence
- Struggle and ResistanceHighlights from this exhibit include:
- Prints and calendar art by JP Singhal.
- Photography by Anoli Perera showcasing the resistance of women.
- An observation of the true cost of a beauty standard, with prints and calendar art by JP Singhal, who conceived the look for actress Zeenat Aman in the 1978 film Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
- Chirag-e-AI by LN Thallur: This inaugural exhibition features a selection of complex sculptural works that merge contemporary themes in artificial intelligence with inspiration from ancient sculptural artefacts. This exhibit captures MAP’s vision for Indian art.
3. HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum – An aviation delight
“I was visiting my brother, who is in the Indian Air Force and had just moved to Bangalore to help him move into one of those quarters. While cleaning it out, we found a very old picture in one of the drawers, and I was obsessed. The picture was of a young man, probably in his early 20s, in his Air Force uniform. It was all I could talk about when bhai told me that has a surprise planned for me.
Going to the HAL Museum in Bangalore was super cool. Thanks to Savaari for making the journey comfy and hassle-free. When I got there, I was blown away by the sick collection of planes, choppers, and engines on display. The exhibits were super cool and gave me a new perspective on India’s aviation history. It was crazy to see how much technology has changed over time and how it affects how we get around today. I had a blast checking out the HAL Museum and I’d totally suggest it to anyone who wants to learn about aviation history. Thanks, Savaari, for making the whole trip awesome!”
Kanika Sharma
Address – Police Station, Near HAL, HAL Old Airport Rd, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037
Timings – 9 AM to 5 PM | Open on all days
Special exhibits
- Real Engines such as Garret (for Dornier Aircraft), Adour (for Jaguar Aircraft) and Orpheus (for Kiran Aircraft), along with Ejection Seat with Parachute
- Pushpak and Basant Aircraft.
- Outdoor display of Aircraft such as MARUT, MIG-21, HT-2, KIRAN, CANBERRA, AJEET, LAKSHYA.
- Library on Aerospace provides an opportunity to trace the exciting development of the industry since the 1940s.
4. Government Museum – History of the Indian Government
“I was born in Bangalore but was raised in Canada, but I’ve always felt a strong connection with my culture. That is why I decided to move back to Bangalore when I was 40, married to a Canadian with two children. It was difficult for my kids to relate to their heritage, so my wife and I decided to make them see how interesting Indian culture is. So on a Sunday, we booked a Savaari hourly rental, and I planned an entire day with my family, eating the local food in Frazer Town, the real Indian shopping at MG road, and, to seal the deal, the Government museum.
Since we had so many stops on our list, some friends suggested Savaari, and it was a smooth experience. The cab picked us up on time and took us around Bangalore for hours. Honestly, I was kind of relieved about not having to drive in the crazy Bangalore traffic. The museum was a trick that worked so well with my family. My kids loved the coin and the Kodagu warrior weapon display. And my wife couldn’t stop talking about the depth of the paintings. It was amazing even for me to reconnect with my roots. “
Nikhil Bhaviyavar
Address – XHFW+V84, Kasturba Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings – 10 AM to 5 PM | Closed on Mondays
Special exhibits
- 600 paintings under Venkatappa Art Gallery
- Sculptures from Hoysala, Nolamba and Gandhara periods
- Artefacts derived during excavation at Chandravalli, Mohenjodaro, Hampi and Halebeedu.
- Weapons used by Kodagu warriors
- Ancient inscriptions include the Begur inscription from 890 AD, Halmidi Shasana from 450 AD, and the Atakur inscription from 949 AD.
5. Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum – Science and play
“I volunteer in the Rajendra Nagar slums of Bangalore as a science teacher in an after-school centre. One of the main problems of the students here is the lack of exposure, which results in a low drive for ambition. When we saw a spike in the number of students who wanted to be engineers when they grew up, we saw an opportunity and decided to take to the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum.
It was difficult to arrange transportation for so many people, and then one of the parents suggested booking a tempo from Savaari. I had no idea that this was even an option. The tempo was in front of the school right on time, and the driver was even nice enough to answer all the hundred questions the students had for him. The museums in Bangalore are a fun house of technology and science, and it was a total success for the students. “
Ravina Dubey
Address- 5216, Kasturba Rd, Near Chinna Swamy Stadium, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings- 9:30 AM to 8 PM | Open on all days
Special exhibits
- Interactive exhibits on all floors are dedicated to different disciplines of science.
- On the first floor of the Museum, we have the ‘Fun Science Gallery’ that displays exhibits on the sciences of sound, optics, fluids, math and perception.
- “Science for Children” houses exhibits that engage children in activities that help them to enjoy science. There is a giant piano over which they can dance to play music. A pin-wall helps the children to make an impression of their body parts on it.
- The ‘Space Gallery’ is about rocket science and the history of space exploration.
- The museum also conducts a mini-planetarium show called ‘Taramandal’ at regular intervals.
6. NIMHANS brain museum – Touch and feel brains
“I have always been fascinated by the mysterious workings of the human brain and have always wondered about what more it can do. So, when I had a long weekend, I decided to take a trip to Bangalore, to meet my friend who lives there and go poking around brains at the NIMHANS brain museum. The Savaari driver picked me up from Mangalore and stayed with me through the weekend in Bangalore, and dropped me back off in Mangalore. I didn’t have to book a single ride throughout the trip.
NIMHANS’ brain museum is crazy interesting! The staff at the Neuropathy department gave us a rundown of how the brain works, and we even got to touch a preserved brain (it was hardened, though, not squishy). Then we hit up the actual museum and saw over 400 brains on display, starting with animal brains and moving on to fetuses and human brains with different conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It was a little sad seeing the ones that didn’t develop properly or were affected by accidents and infections, but I definitely left with a ton of new knowledge. ”
Saiba Parveen
Address- Hosur Main Road, Sattar Layout, Lakkasandra, Laljinagar, Wilson Garden, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029
Guided tours are available from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesdays and 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and another from 2:30 PM to 4 PM on Saturdays.
Special exhibits-
The human brain, spinal cord, and other parenchymal organs are displayed, permitting the visitors to touch and feel these organs, a unique experience everyone enjoys.
7. Rangoli Gardens Model Village – Experience rural living
“Living in the city and working in the corporate structure has always felt too fast and chaotic to me. I always find myself wondering how much more peaceful life would be if we all still lived in villages. So, when it was my turn to plan the office outing, I knew I had to take everyone to the Model Village in Jakkur. So, all of us were off to experience the rural in one of the coolest museums in Bangalore.
When you enter, you’ll see paintings of village life with siblings playing, schools, cow sheds, and mail delivery. They also have live mehndi, pottery, and horse-drawn carriage rides. There’s so much art and eco-parks to explore. I got to meet the founder, and he told me that the goal is to make it a top tourist spot and preserve the heritage of common people. You should definitely check it out. “
Vignesh Gopala
Address- 3J86+R7R, Rachenahalli, Thanisandra, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064
Timings- 10 AM to 5 PM | Open on all days
Special exhibits
- Paintings and statues of the village life.
- Enjoy activities like live mehndi, pottery, and horse-drawn carriage rides
- Explore the eco-parks
8. National Gallery of Modern Art – Where timelines collapse
“I booked a Savaari on a Sunday morning when I was new in Bangalore and didn’t really know anyone. My Savaari driver picked me up, and we halted at Cubbon Park for a morning with the doggies. I met so many dogs at the dog park there and found this cool group of skaters who were practising there, and they told me not to fill up because this is one of the few museums in Bangalore has a quaint little cafe which is a cute little surprise in this museum in Bangalore.
The gallery is surrounded by greenery and has a mix of colonial and modern architecture. It’s a great place to spend a weekend sketching and admiring art. On the ground floor, I met a collection of famous Indian artists, while the next wing features sculptures and works by contemporary artists. Take the stairs to the top floor for exhibitions and a library of art. They even had a dance performance going on, which was so folksy and fun. “
Sonal Singh
Address- 49, GF, Manikyavelu Mansion, Palace Rd, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052
Timings- 10 AM to 5 PM | Closed on Mondays
Special exhibits
- Gallery walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Film screenings on art, culture and education every weekend.
- Dance performances, art and design workshops, and storytelling.
9. Click Art Museum – 3-dimensional fun land
“I was having a few hard days at work, and my partner noticed and told me that he wanted to take me out on a date. I was very excited and got all dressed up, and as I sat in the cab he had rented, I found out that the date was in one of the museums in Bangalore. Nothing against them, but I am more of a comedy movie with theatre popcorn person.
But Click Art Museum in Bangalore was something else entirely. It is fun and has a different take on art with its 3-D features. These exhibits had crazy concepts like a drink being poured out of a painting, a monkey all set to click a selfie, and a witch luring you into her lair, and this is not even everything. I was a hidden surprise, and I loved it. I loved it even more when I found out that this was only half the gift. He had also booked an Airport round-trip cab with Savaari so that we could comfortably go and pick my sister up from the airport, who was here to cheer me up. It was the best date ever. ”
Sravani Geerish
Address – ALPHA, Varthur Rd, Whitefield, Palm Meadows, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560066
Timings – 11:30 AM to 8 PM | Closed on Mondays
Special exhibits
- Visit India’s first 3D interactive “Trick Art” museum.
- Can take Pictures, touch the exhibits, and laugh aloud.
10. Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath – All things folksy
“I am a writer, and visual art has never really been my thing. But recently, my sister got into the College of fine arts in Bangalore, and I was introduced to what is now one of my favourite spots to spend time in the city, the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath it is unlike any other museums in Bangalore.
On her first day, as I entered to drop my sister off at her college, it felt like I had entered a different world. The world where art it blooming at its best and is presented in the best way to mix tradition with modern. The museum and the art gallery is to die for. Right outside the gallery is the exhibition area that transports you to a market in Rajasthan with handicrafts, antiques, snacks, live performances and whatnot. It is the perfect place just to go and spend a happy day in. “
Dheeraj Gupta
Address- Art Complex, 1, Kumara Krupa Rd, near The Lalit Hotel, Kumara Park East, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings- 10 AM to 5:30 PM | Closed on Mondays
Special exhibits
- Traditional Mysore paintings – Discover the beauty of traditional Mysore paintings featuring intricate designs and vibrant colours.
- Contemporary installations – Experience a diverse range of contemporary installations that explore modern concepts and themes through different media.
- Warli tribal art – See stunning examples of Warli tribal art, known for its simple forms and bold geometric patterns that depict the everyday life of the Warli tribe.
- Sculptures by local artists – Admire sculptures among the museums in Bangalore crafted by talented local artists that showcase a variety of styles and techniques.
- Vintage photographs of Karnataka – Take a journey through time with vintage photographs of Karnataka that offer a glimpse into the state’s rich history and culture.
11. Philatelic Museum- A world of stamps
“I remember my father sitting me down and showing me this endless files of collected stamps from everywhere. It is one of the fondest memories I have of my father. Last year, I noticed that he was getting a little old, and I didn’t want him to live alone in Coimbatore anymore. So, I got him here in Bangalore to live with me, and he wasn’t very happy about it.
He would tell me every day how much he missed Coimbatore until one day when he came to me and told me that there was Philatelic Museum above a post office among the museums in Bangalore, and he wanted to go see it. We got all dressed and left for the museum, and I saw his eyes twinkle as he glared curiously at the stamps from everywhere. He got so motivated by the visit that he actually got all his old files out and started to collect stamps again. “
Vishnu Iyer
Address- XHJW+F28, Inside India Post GPO office, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Timings- 10 AM to 4 PM | Closed on Mondays.
Special exhibits
- Rare Stamps Collection – A collection of unique and valuable stamps from around the world, including limited edition prints and historic postage stamps.
- Postal Stationery Display – A display of various types of postal stationery, such as postcards, envelopes, and aerogrammes, showcasing the evolution of postal communication.
- Philatelic Artifacts Exhibition – An exhibit of various artefacts related to philately, such as stamp-making tools, post office memorabilia, and rare collections of stamps and covers.
Why not Museums?
Bangalore offers a rich and diverse museum experience, showcasing the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage. From ancient artefacts to interactive showcases, there is something for everyone in these museums. The museums in Bangalore successfully break the stereotype of them being geeky or boring. With its new modern take on what a museum can be, Bangalore is definitely thinking out of the box and in the most wonderful way. From dates to family bonding moments and of course knowledge, the museums in Bangalore a truly a delight to behold no matter what you go looking for.
Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Swati Deol
