Chennai Government Museum Entry Fee
- 15 per person for Adults (Indians)
- 10 per person for Children (Indians)
- 5 per person for School Children (Indians)
- 250 per person for Adults (Foreigners)
- 125 per person for Children (Foreigners)
- 75 per person for School Children (Foreigners)
- 200 for Still Camera
- 500 for Video Camera
Chennai Government Museum Phone
044 2819 3778
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 55 reviews
Chennai Government Museum Address: Beside Government Maternity Hospital, Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600008, India
The Government Museum Chennai, or Madras Museum, is among the oldest museums in the world, and the second oldest in India. It has a rich collection of artefacts detailing human history and culture.
The museum is known for artefacts and bronze sculptures belonging to different South Indian dynasties. But the exhibits also include items from archaeology, geology, numismatics and other varied subjects. Government Museum Chennai even has the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe.
The entire collection of the museum is spread across six buildings and 40+ galleries. Besides the impressive museum galleries, you can also visit the National Art Gallery and a children’s museum in the Government Museum complex.
A spacious Museum Theatre, which hosts a variety of cultural shows and plays, is part of the complex too.
History of Government Museum Chennai
The initial proposal for the Government Museum in Chennai was put forward by the Madras Literary Society about 200 years ago, in 1846. And in 1851, the Madras Government Museum (then, Central Museum), was opened in the college of Fort St. George. Madras Literary Society contributed 1100 geological specimens.
Later, in 1854, the growing collection was shifted to the current location, Pantheon, as the college building was in a dilapidated condition.
The Connemara Public Library was opened in 1896, along with the Front Building and The Museum Theatre. The main entrance building was built in 1939. And in 1951, the National Art Gallery was opened. The building for the collection of bronzes was constructed in 1963. The Contemporary Art building was opened in 1984, and the new Children's Museum, in 1988.
Things to do at Chennai Government Museum
The Government Museum of Chennai has six buildings to explore:
- Main Building with a variety of paintings, stones and sculptures
- Front Building with a collection of arms, puppets and other art pieces
- Bronze Gallery with bronze sculptures, old coins and chemically preserved artefacts
- Children's Museum with various educational exhibits
- National Art Gallery with traditional paintings and arts
- Contemporary Art Gallery with British-time portraits, modern arts and other exhibits
Then, you also have the Museum Theatre to check out. Cultural and academic programs are conducted here from time to time. It also acts as a venue for performing arts, like dramas and music concerts.
Chennai Government Museum also houses the Connemara Public Library. It consists of centuries-old publications and some of the rare literary collections in the country.
Image Gallery of Chennai Government Museum
Government Museum Chennai Timings and Entry Fee
The Government Museum opens at 9.30 AM and closes by 5 PM. It is open throughout the year, except for the Fridays and National holidays.
Government Museum Chennai entry fee is ₹15 per adult and ₹10 per kid (below 12 years). For school kids and teachers (in a group), the entry fee is ₹5 per person. The ticket prices for foreigners are ₹250 (adults), ₹125 (kids) and ₹75 (for students and teachers in groups).
The fee for still photography is ₹200, and ₹500 for videography. Commercial photography is not permitted in the complex.
Best time to visit Chennai Government Museum
Winter, from November to February, is the most favourable for a visit to the Government Museum. The weather remains pleasant throughout the day during those months. Visit it in the morning hours to avoid any crowd. You can spend 2-3 hours to get a full tour of the complex.
How to reach Government Museum Chennai?
Government Museum Chennai is on Pantheon Road in Egmore. It is about three km away from Chennai Central railway station and only one km away from Egmore railway station. From Koyambedu bus terminus, it is 10 km away. And from the airport, the Government Museum is 20 km away.
And following are the various ways to reach Government Museum Egmore Chennai –
By metro – Chintadripet station, about 2 km away, is the nearest MRTS station to the Government Museum. From there, you can hire a taxi/auto to the museum.
By bus – Public buses are also available to Egmore bus stop, which is a little over a km away from the museum. You can take a taxi/auto from there.
By taxi/cab – Booking a taxi from top car rental companies in Chennai is the best way to visit the Government Museum Chennai. Full-day cabs are also available from many places in the city and around.
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