Museums of Nepal

Yes, it does seem a bit strange to think of traveling to Nepal to visit a museum. With all the natural beauty in landscape, culture and outdoor temples you may need to weigh your options. We'll give you a list here with fair warning: if you are a history buff or scholar and see something below of interest, please make a trip to any place listed below, otherwise don't get your hopes up. Many times the building and the area around the museum is more entertaining than the contents.

The National Museum

The National Museum at Chhauni near Swayambhu offers breathtaking bronzes and a rich collection of paubha scroll paintings. It also has an extraordinary collection of ancient firearms, leather cannons and relics of the Great Earthquake of 1934. Open daily except Sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 9.00 AM to 4.30 PM. Entrance fee Rs.10 for SAARC nationals and Rs.50 for other foreign visitors. An extra Rs.50 for cameras and Rs.100 for video cameras. (Ph: 271478).

The National Numismatic Museum, housed in the Mahendra Memorial Building of the National Museum at Chhauni, contains an exceptional Nepalese coin collection spanning the Lichhavi and Malla dynasties (2nd to 18th century AD) as well as the Shah dynasty. The museum also holds unique pieces dating back to the second century BC. Open daily except Sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 9.00 AM to 4.30 PM. Your entrance ticket to the National Museum entitles you to visit the coin museum also (Ph: 271504).



The Tribhuvan Museum

The Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu Durbar Square highlights the life of King Tribhuvan (1906-1955) who helped liberate the country from the Rana regime in 1951. The galleries also have rare photographs, paintings and portraits of other Shah rulers and members of the Royal family. Cameras are not allowed. Open daily, except Sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 9:15 AM to 4.00 PM. Entrance fee is Rs.250. Cameras are not allowed. (Ph: 258034).

The Mahendra Museum, yet another attraction in the historic Hanuman Dhoka Palace complex, vividly sheds light on the life of late King Mahendra (r. 1955-1972). His cabinet room, office chamber and personal belongings such as medals, decorations, gifts, coins, stamps, and his literary creations are on exhibition in the museum. Open daily, except Sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 9:15 AM to 4.00 PM. You can visit the Mahendra Museum with your ticket to the Tribhuvan Museum (Ph: 258034).
The Museum of Natural History behind the Swayambhu stupa has exhibits on animals, butterflies, and plants. Stuffed animals, birds and crocodiles are a big draw in the museum. Open daily, except Saturdays and holidays, from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, entry is Rs.20 for foreigners and Rs.20 for cameras. (Ph: 271899).

National Library. Located inside Harihar Bhavan in Pulchowk, Patan, the National Library contains about 70,000 books, most of which are in English, with a smattering of books in Sanskrit, Nepali, Hindi and Nepalbhasa. The National Library preserves some rare scholarly books in Sanskrit and English dating from the 17th century. Open daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM (Ph: 521132).




Kaiser Library.

On Tridevi Marg, Thamel. Collections of a single man, Kaiser Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana (1891-1964), adorn this palatial building near Thamel. The repertoire of books here (over 45,000) covers as unrelated topics as astrology and law, with history, hunting, religion and philosophy in between. Open daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM. (Ph: 411318).

Kaiser Library

The Kaiser Library is situated in the Kaiser Mahal a central city of Kathmandu valley, and right in front of the Western Gate of the Narayan Hiti Royal Palace. Kaiser Mahal was the residence of Late Field Marshal Kaiser Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana son of the late Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana.The Kaiser Library itself is unique in terms of art, architecture, cultural heritage, photographs, and paintings mingled at one place.

Kaiser Library is one of the unique and oldest Libraries in Nepal. It was established in 2026 B.S. (1969 A.D.) with the donated of personal collection by Her Hiness Krishna Chandra Devi Rana as per the will and in memory of her late husband Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana since its establishment Kaiser Library has been operating under the Ministry of Education Government of Nepal as an independent authority in itself. The Library has a total of 50,000 books, documents and pictures aving historical importance.

By Post : Kaiser Library
Kaiser Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
e-mail : kesherlib@most.gov.np

Telephone : 977 1 4411318
Fax : 977 1 442010

Asa Archives. Located on the western fringe of the old part of Kathmandu, the archives possess an exceptional collection of about 7,000 loose-leaf handwritten books and over 1,200 palm-leaf documents. The oldest manuscript here is dated AD 1464. Most of the manuscripts are in Sanskrit and Nepalbhasa languages. Asa Archives (Asa Saphu Kuthi), located at Kulambhulu west of Nhyokha Tole. Open daily from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (Ph: 263417).

The National Birendra Art Gallery, Naxal. The Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) at Naxal has a collection of about 150 art pieces by prominent Nepalese artists. Art exhibitions are held regularly, and there are also studios where artists can be seen at work. housed in a fine old unrestored Rana palace, named Bal Mandir. Open daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, for 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Enterance fee Rs.25 for SAARC nationals and Rs.75 for other foreign visitors. (Ph: 411729)

Patan Museum inside Patan Durbar in the Durbar Square specializes in bronze statues and religious objects, which add up to nearly 200 items. Some of the art goes back to as early as the 11th century. Most of the statues are of Buddha, Bishnu, Lokeswar and Devi, covering both the Hindu and the Buddhist iconology. Open daily, except holidays, from 10:30 AM to 5.00 PM (Ph: 521492). Entrance fee is Rs.120 for Foreign visitors.






The National Art Gallery, Bhaktapur

The National Art Gallery is one of the most interesting and the must visit sites in Nepal. This gallery is located in a very beautiful palace at Bhaktapur, amidst picturesque Kathmandu valley. The palace is said to be the oldest existing palace in the entire Kathmandu valley. This Palace has more than 50 windows that open on all the four side. Apart from that, the arches and motifs are worth appreciation too.

Inside the gallery you have an impressive collection of paintings and murals from the days of dominance of Buddhism. There are some very old paintings that are known as Thangakas. Buddhist monks used these paintings for concentration at the time of prayers. These oil-on-canvas paintings are very old and dates back to Mallas era. Then there are stone-carved figures that dates back to Licchhavis and Mallas era. Most of these figures are of Hindu and Buddhist deities and, as typical of that era, have sexual overtones.

The second floor is entirely dedicated to historical chronicles and manuscripts. These documents belong to various monarchs from Rana and Shah dynasties and provide a deep insight in to the political, cultural, social and economical conditions of that era. Some of the documents are classified and are not on public display. If you are a student of history or a researcher, then this place will be of great interest. Nevertheless, researchers are required to take a prior permission from the Ministry of Culture for getting access to the classified documents.


The National Woodworking Museum
In Tachapal Tole (Dattatreya Square), Bhaktapur, is in the restored 15th-century Pujari Math building built by the Malla king, Yaksha Malla. The Pujari Math is a museum in itself, with the very finest of Newar woodcarving including the famous Peacock Window. Open daily, except Sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; trance fee Rs.20. (Ph: 610005).


The Bronze and Brass Museum is housed in a 15th-century Math opposite the Pujari Math at Tachapal Tole, Bhaktapur. A rich collection of domestic and ceremonial metalware is exhibited in the museum: kalash (ritual jars), ink-pots, spittoons, ordinary and ritual lamps. Open daily, except sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Entrance fee is Rs.20 and an extra Rs.20 for cameras. (Ph: 610448).


OUTSIDE KATHMANDU
The Dhankuta Museum is a regional museum encompassing the eastern sector of the country. Dhankuta is the headquarters of the Eastern Development Region and is located north of Dharan and Biratnagar. Apart from serving as a showcase for ethnic artifacts, the museum focuses on archeological exhibits. Open daily except Tuesdays and holidays from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Entrance fee is Rs.5 and an extra Rs.10 for cameras. (Ph: 026-20248).
The Hattisar Museum and Fish Exhibition Room at Bhimphedi, Makwanpur, houses a rare collection of cages built by Rana prime minister Jung Bahadur, plates depicting the Nepalese and British crowns, and clothing worn while going hunting.

The Elephant Museum is situated at the old Hattisar or elephant stables at Bhimphedi, Makwanpur. Elephant howdahs, totalling 85, brought from England and various other countries by the Rana prime ministers (1846-1950) for their journeys by elephant have been preserved here.

The Mustang Eco Museum

This museum is located about 15 minutes’ walk from Jomsom airport. The ground floor of the museum houses a collection of beads, bones and pendants as well as ceramic vessels found at the burial caves of Mustang. The relics date to 800 BC. There are also musical instruments, costumes and mannequins that reflect the culture of Mustang. A floor above is the Herbal Medicine section. On exhibition are herbs found in Mustang and Dolpo. Open daily, 8.00 to 11.00 AM and 2.00 to 5.00 PM.




The Tharu Cultural Museum,
Thakurdwara, Royal Bardia National Park.
The Tharus are an indigenous people of the Terai with a colourful culture. The museum possesses exhibits such as costumes, accessories and household objects which highlight the art, traditions and lifestyle of the Tharu people.

International Mountain Museum, Pokhara.

A project of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, the museum will commence a series of soft openings in the autumn of 2001, with the grand opening in 2002, designated the Year of Mountains by the United Nations.

The museum has a unique shape with the roof structured fanning out to look like a range of mountains, In 2001 the museum will be ready to house exhibits from past expeditions, geological specimens, archival photographs, satellite maps and other paraphenalia. Support for the museum will be from Trekking/Mountain peak permits. Supporters include mountaineering associations throughout the world, and individual supporters from Japan, China and Nepal.

The Narayanhity Royal Palace Museum
The Narayanhity Royal Palace Museum or Narayanhity Durbar is a palace in Nepal which long served as a primary residence to that country's monarchs. The palace was constructed under order of the Shah dynasty in the 18th century. On June 1, 2001, it was the site of the Nepalese royal massacre, where King Birendra of Nepal and Queen Aiswarya were allegedly shot to death by Crown Prince Dipendra along with 6 others before Dipendra turned his weapon on himself.

The historical palace turned into a public museum immediately after the country was a republic. It is open to national and international visitors on weekdays. The very valuable throne and the crown is not yet publicly available due to security reasons.

The main attraction of the museum is the golden and silver Ceremonial throne, Banquette hall and other vivid items used by the royal family. The museum would open five days a week except on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and public Holidays from 11 AM to 3 PM. Likewise, the entrance fee for the Narayanhiti Museum has been allocated as followed: Nepali Student Nrs 20, Other Nepalese Nrs 100, Chinese and SAARC Tourist Nrs 250, other tourist Nrs 500 and fee has been leaved for children below 3 years of age.