Top 10 Underrated Museums and Galleries in Bangalore You Must Explore

Names like HAL Aerospace Museum and Visvesvaraya Museum may spring to mind when someone thinks about museums in Bangalore. But what if we told you that Bangalore has a hidden cultural treasure trove of museums and galleries that are underappreciated and full of intrigue, creativity, and stories?

According to a 2024 Indian Urban Leisure Council poll, more than half of Bangalore's museums are unknown to more than 63% of visitors and students. A tremendous chance for discovery, education, and a little sense of wonder was lost.

Let us take you on an insightful tour of Bangalore's most underappreciated museums and galleries that you really must see in 2025, whether you're a tourist, student, family organising your next weekend excursion, or just an inquisitive person.

Indian Cartoon Gallery – Where Art Meets Satire

The Indian Cartoon Gallery is a must-see whether you enjoy social commentary, political satire, or just a good chuckle delivered in pen and ink! The Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) operates India's first dedicated cartoon gallery, a unique location tucked away in Trinity Circle on MG Road.

What to Expect:

Top Indian cartoonists including R.K. Laxman, Mario Miranda, Bapu, and contemporary illustrators have their works shown in the gallery's recurring exhibitions. There are caricatures, comic strips, editorial cartoons, and themed exhibitions, some of which even address current events.

Location:

Indian Cartoon Gallery,No.1, Midford House, Midford Garden,Trinity Circle, MG Road, Bangalore – 560001(Located inside the Bangalore Press building complex)

Timings:

Open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday (closed on Sunday).

Entry Fee:

All guests are admitted free of charge, ensuring that everyone can enjoy art!

What’s Special:

• Exhibitions with new themes every month

• Cartoon contests, workshops, and meet-the-artist gatherings

• A specialised gallery store featuring books and cartoon prints

• Excellent for families, history aficionados, art enthusiasts, and students.

How to Reach:

• Metro: It's a two-minute walk from Trinity Metro Station.

• By Car: There is a little amount of on-site parking.

Tips:

• Flash is not permitted, but photography is.

• Calm and quiet, perfect for a cultural getaway in the middle of the city.

• For information about current exhibitions, visit their Facebook page or official website.

Address: Midford House, Midford Garden Road, No. 1 Midford garden, Craig Park Layout, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Rezwan Razack’s Museums in bangalore of Indian Paper Money – A Numismatic Treasury

Visit Rezwan Razack's Museum of Indian Paper Money, India's first and only museum solely focused on the development of Indian paper money, to delve into the realm of money and history. A hidden gem for history buffs, collectors, and inquisitive minds alike, it is situated in Bangalore's Prestige Falcon Towers on Brunton Road.

What You’ll Discover:

Rezwan Razack, Joint MD of Prestige Group and one of India's leading numismatists, has curated over 700 exhibits at the museum, which includes rare Hyderabad and Jammu & Kashmir banknotes as well as British Raj pre-independence notes.

Stat Snapshot:

• More than 10,000 square feet of display area

• includes banknotes spanning more than 200 years of Indian history.

• includes uncommon notes such as Princely State issues and the Osborne Series (1861).

• Part of a market where interest in collecting currency increased by 40% worldwide after 2020 (Numismatic Digest, 2024)

Location:

Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money,Prestige Falcon Towers, 19 Brunton Road,Bangalore – 560025

Timings:

10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Saturday

Sundays and public holidays are closed.

Entry Fee:

• Adults: 100 Rupees

• Students: ₹50 (with ID)

• Youngsters under 10: Free

Highlights:

• The first ₹1 note issued in India (1917)

• Notes containing misprints and incorrect printing

• A thorough examination of Partition notes and demonetisation periods

• There are audio instructions and high-tech interactive displays available.

How to Reach:

• Metro: Take a 10-minute walk after getting off at M.G. Road Station.

• Car/Auto: The basement of Falcon Towers has plenty of parking.

Tips for Visitors:

• No flash photography; upon request, guided tours are offered.

• The museum store offers numismatic publications and limited-edition reproductions.

• The best time to go is in the morning for peaceful exploring.

Address: Prestige Falcon Tower, 19, Brunton Rd, Craig Park Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025

Science Gallery Bengaluru – Where Science Meets Curiosity

The Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a haven for those who enjoy asking why, how, and what-if questions. The first of its type in Asia, SGB is a dynamic public place at the nexus of science, technology, art, and design. It is a member of the international Science Gallery Network, which has its headquarters in Dublin.

What It’s All About:

This scientific museum isn't like the others. Young people (ages 15–28) are the target audience for interactive exhibitions, provocative installations, and conversation-led events produced by SGB, a public research organisation that is intriguing to everyone.

Stat Check:

• A component of a worldwide network of seven cities, which also includes London, Melbourne, and Venice

• Since 2020, more than 2.5 lakh people have attended events both in person and virtually.

• A 2024 SGB study found that 78% of visitors reported their interest in STEM had grown as a result of their visit.

Location:

Currently, SGB does pop-ups and exhibitions at locations like these while the permanent campus is being built close to Bangalore University.

• The Bangalore International Centre

• Bangalore Creative Circus

• Through the Bengaluru Science Gallery's website

Timings:

The scheduling of events and exhibitions varies. For scheduling, see their website or Instagram.

Entry Fee:

All activities and exhibits are free; science is accessible to all!

Why Visit?

• Interactive scientific exhibits (such as time machines, AI ethics simulations, and scent detectors)

• Partnerships with international organisations such as NIAS, NCBS, and IISc

• Shows like "Virus," "Submerge," and "Contagion" examine issues from the real world.

• Panels, seminars, and discussions with leading intellectuals, artists, and scientists

  
  

How to Reach:

• Metro: Depending on the location of the event, near MG Road or Indiranagar stations

• Cab/Auto: Easily accessible by road

Visitor Tips:

• Online pre-registration is required for events, which fill up quickly.

• Perfect for educators, creative professionals, and students

• For the most recent information, follow them on Instagram at @sciencegalleryblr.

Address: Bellary Rd, Ganga Nagar Layout, Ganganagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560024

HMT Heritage Centre and Museum – Time Travel with India’s Iconic Watches

Take a nostalgic trip through the history of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), India's first watch manufacturer, at the HMT Heritage Centre and Museum. This tranquil site, tucked away in Jalahalli, is a showcase of Indian industrial excellence as much as a museum.

What’s Inside:

This museum is a mechanical wonderland for watch aficionados, engineers, and history buffs, including everything from old HMT wristwatches, tools, machines, and blueprints to life-size industrial lathes, typewriters, tractors, and even a 1960s prototype time clock.

Stat Snapshot:

• The museum opened its doors in May 2019.

• contains almost 2,000 exhibits, 500 of which are famous watch models.

• In the 1980s, when HMT was at its height, it produced 22,000 watches a day.

• According to a 2024 Karnataka Tourism Board study, increasing vintage tourism trends caused foot traffic to increase by 65% after the epidemic.

Location:

HMT Heritage Centre & Museum

HMT Colony, Jalahalli, Bengaluru – 560013

(Surrounded by lush greenery within the HMT residential campus)

Timings:

Available Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Mondays and public holidays are closed.

Entry Fee:

• Adults: ₹30

• Students: 20 rupees

• Kids under 12: Free

Highlights to Explore:

• Janata series, Nehru's favourite, and the first-ever HMT Pilot watch

• A dedicated area for the HMT-Tractor business

• Archives of vintage advertisements and branding from the 1960s to 1990s

• Limited-edition watches given to dignitaries in a rare exhibition

How to Reach:

• Metro: Jalahalli, the closest station on the Green Line, is a 5-minute drive away.

• By Car: The museum is handicapped accessible, and parking is free.

Visitor Tips:

• Photography is permitted, with the exception of rare-watch zones.

• A peaceful, unusual setting that's perfect for a family weekend getaway

• Collector versions and miniatures are available for purchase at the watch souvenir store.

Address: HMT Colony, HMT Estate, Jalahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560013

NIMHANS Heritage Museum – The Untold Story of Indian Psychiatry

Entering the NIMHANS Heritage Museum is like entering a gallery; you are walking through the growth of Indian psychology, neurology, and psychiatry. This museum, which is part of the expansive NIMHANS complex on Hosur Road in Bangalore, is a subdued yet potent homage to India's more than 170-year legacy of mental healthcare.

What’s Inside:

The museum explores the positive, negative, and innovative aspects of India's mental health history via the use of colonial-era treatment tools, early electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) machines, handwritten patient case records from the 1800s, and the development of psychotropic medications.

Stat Snapshot:

• The Bangalore Lunatic Asylum was established in 1850, marking the beginning of the NIMHANS heritage.

• In 2012, NIMHANS was designated as an Institute of National Importance.

• Over 7.5 lakh patients are treated at NIMHANS each year as of 2024, and the number of visitors to the museum is increasing by 40% yearly.

• According to a WHO research from 2023, 1 in 7 Indians suffer from mental health issues, underscoring the need for historical knowledge.

Location:

NIMHANS Heritage Museum NIMHANS Campus, Hosur Road, Bengaluru – 560029 (Located inside the Administrative Block, next to the main hospital building)

Timings:

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday

Sundays and public holidays are closed.

Entry Fee:

Free and accessible to everyone, with a specific recommendation for researchers, medical professionals, and students.

Exhibition Highlights:

• Rare images of early asylums and mental hospitals

• India's first EEG and brain mapping devices

• original, handwritten patient records and casebooks from before independence

• Development of anti-stigmatization initiatives using old periodicals and posters

How to Reach:

• Metro: Lalbagh or South End Circle (Green Line) are the closest stations; the drive takes ten minutes.

• Bus/Auto: Hosur Road provides easy access, and there are guest entry points on the hospital complex.

Visitor Tips:

• A calm, contemplative setting that is unsuitable for extremely young children

• Photographs are not permitted in exhibition spaces.

• For academic visits or group trips, make reservations in advance via the NIMHANS hotline or official website.

Address: WHQW+W2F, Hosur Rd, inside NIMHANS Bengaluru, Hombegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029

Sandesha Museum – Spirituality, Culture, and Media

The Sandesha Museum of Culture and Communication, a hidden gem that examines the relationship between spirituality, Indian culture, and media, unites art, faith, and communication under one roof. Despite being less well-known, this museum, which is part of Bangalore's Sandesha Foundation Campus, provides visitors who want to learn more about India's rich religious and cultural heritage with a contemplative and peaceful experience.

What Awaits You:

A distinctive collection of Christian artwork, holy texts, musical instruments, and media resources for evangelisation and cross-cultural communication are kept at the museum. With an emphasis on the need of communication in spirituality and education, it honours India's multireligious past.

Stat Snapshot:

• In 1991, the Sandesha Foundation was founded as a facility for media education and cultural training.

• Early in the new millennium, the museum opened to the public.

• More than 3,000 cultural items, including as folk art, liturgical instruments, and unique hand-carved biblical statues

• The Archdiocese of Bangalore's 2024 report states that rising interest in religiously based cultural storytelling has led to a 35% rise in interfaith visits over the past two years.

Location:

Sandesha Foundation Campus,

Bangalore 

Timings:

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, Closed on Sundays and religious holidays

Entry Fee:

• ₹50 for general visitors

• Researchers & Students: ₹30

• Group tours with guides are available with advance reservation.

What Not to Miss:

• Rare biblical scene paintings in Indian traditional traditions

• Religious dissemination using antiquated printing presses and communication devices

• Interfaith displays encouraging communication between Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism

• Media archives feature choirs and traditional South Indian Christian musical instruments.

How to Reach:

• It is advisable to use personal transportation or taxis because this is a less well-known place.

• For admission procedures and location confirmation, call in advance.

• There is parking on campus.

Visitor Tips:

• Because of the spiritual environment, modest clothing is advised.

• Some locations allow photography.

• Perfect for people interested in interfaith culture, art historians, and theology students

Address: 14, Museum Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025

Param Science Centre – A Hands-On Heaven for Young Scientists

At Bangalore's Param Science Centre, an interactive science learning environment for children, teachers, and tinkerers, you may pique your child's or your own curiosity. Situated in the centre of the city, this dynamic centre uses interactive displays, workshops, and live performances to make STEM education come to life.

What’s Inside:

Param promotes learning by doing anything from 3D printing facilities to do-it-yourself robotics kits, space exploration models, and functional scientific puzzles. This centre makes science feel exciting, real, and enjoyable, regardless of your interests in physics, astronomy, biology, or artificial intelligence.

Stat Snapshot:

• has more than 500 interactive scientific activities and exhibitions.

• has carried out over 1,200 courses and STEM bootcamps as of 2024.

• ranked among the top ten private STEM laboratories in India (STEM India Report, 2024)

• Ninety percent of the more than 35,000 students who attended over the previous academic year reported that it enhanced their comprehension of practical science.

Location:

Param Science Centre,

Domlur Layout, Bangalore – 560071

Timings:

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday for

Mondays and significant public holidays are closed.

Entry Fee:

• Students: 100 Rupess

• Visitors in general: ₹150

• There are annual passes and group discounts available.

Why Visit?

• Live scientific demonstrations (optics labs, air pressure stunts, and volcanic eruptions)

• Robotics, astronomy, environmental science, and coding workshops

• IoT kits, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi in a Tinkering Lab

• An astronomy enthusiast's space zone and miniature planetarium

How to Reach:

• Metro: Indiranagar (Purple Line) is the closest station; it takes 8 to 10 minutes by car.

• Car/Auto: Parking is accessible on-site, and the Domlur flyover provides good access.

Visitor Tips:

• Workshops fill up quickly, so reserve online in advance!

• Perfect for weekend family vacations and school field excursions

• Look for seasonal scientific festivals and contests on monthly calendars.

Address: 27, 32nd Cross Rd, 7th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560082

Mythic Society Museum – Archiving Ancient Indian Knowledge

A timeless gem, the Mythic Society Museum is tucked away in Bangalore's intellectual centre and serves as a sanctuary for academics, history aficionados, and anyone interested in India's enormous historical wisdom. This museum is run by the Mythic Society, one of the oldest research organisations in India, which was established in 1909 and is committed to conserving, researching, and honouring India's cultural legacy.

What’s Inside:

Rare manuscripts, palm-leaf writings, archaeological artefacts, ancient maps, stone inscriptions, and early printed books in Sanskrit, Kannada, Prakrit, and Tamil are all housed at the museum and library that is adjacent to it. It serves as a link between the academic present and India's legendary past.

Stat Snapshot:

• With more than 4,000 palm-leaf manuscripts and more than 60,000 rare books

• The collections cover history, anthropology, epigraphy, and Vedic literature.

• UNESCO has acknowledged India's efforts to preserve its intangible cultural heritage (2023).

• Every year, more than 10,000 academics and students use its resources.

Location:

Mythic Society,

Nrupathunga Road, Near Corporation Circle,

Bangalore – 560001

Timings:

10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Saturday, Closed on Sundays and public holidays

Entry Fee:

Free for every guest

Contributions are welcome for conservation initiatives.

Why Visit?

• Examine unique resources on Buddhism, Jainism, Indian philosophy, and the ancient sciences.

• See tribal relics, royal gifts, and antique copper plates.

• Attend seminars on manuscript conservation, history excursions, and lectures on a regular basis.

• Interact with archivists and scholars who are preserving cultural heritage in real time.

How to Reach:

• Metro: exit at Majestic or Cubbon Park; 5- to 10-minute drive

• Bus/Auto: K.R. Circle provides easy access; parking is scarce.

Visitor Tips:

• Perfect for scholars, researchers, students, and anyone interested in culture

• Inside manuscript archives, photography is prohibited.

• Guided tours are available upon request; visit their website or give them a call in advance.

Address: Nrupathunga Rd, opposite Reserve Bank, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum – India’s Flight Legacy

Explore India's aviation past at the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, which is run by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and is the nation's first aerospace museum. This museum, which is tucked away close to Old Airport Road, documents India's ascent from piston engines to jet propulsion.

What’s Inside:

Aircraft, helicopters, flight simulators, jet engines, radar systems, and satellite models are all part of the museum's outstanding collection. Encompassing four acres, it is ideal for both aviation enthusiasts and inquisitive families.

Stat Snapshot:

• Founded in 2001, it receives more than 3 lakh visits a year.

• Qualities More than 20 real aircraft, such as the MIG-21, HAL Kiran, and HT-2 trainer

• India's aerospace exports increased by 47% in 2024, according to HAL data, making this museum more important than ever.

• Over the previous two years, school visitors' involvement with interactive exhibitions increased by 60%.

Location:

HAL Heritage Centre & Aerospace MuseumOld Airport Road, Marathahalli, Bengaluru – 560037

Timings:

Weekly hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

(Also open on the majority of public holidays)

Entry Fee:

• Adults: ₹50

• Kids: ₹30

• Flight Simulator (optional): ₹100 per person

• Discounts for Defence Personnel and School Groups

Top Highlights:

• Historic military and commercial aircraft on exhibit outdoors

• Real jet and turbo-prop engines in an engine hall

• On ISRO missions, walk through a space zone and a simulated ATC tower.

• Use a flight simulator to assess your piloting abilities.

How to Reach:

• Metro: Purple Line station in Baiyappanahalli; 15-minute car journey

• By Car: Old Airport Road makes it simple to get to the location, and there is plenty of parking available.

Visitor Tips:

• Because the outside exhibit location might get hot, bring water and hats.

• Perfect for weekend family vacations, school excursions, and aviation enthusiasts

• Cool artefacts with an aviation theme may be found at the museum gift store.

Address: Police Station, Near HAL, HAL Old Airport Rd, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum – The Interactive Wonder

Visit the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM), Bangalore's premier hands-on scientific site, and enter a world where buttons, levers, and curiosity dominate. This museum honours India's renowned politician and engineer, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, and is situated on Kasturba Road.

What’s Inside:

In contrast to conventional museums, VITM encourages you to interact, play, and try new things. Discover seven interactive galleries with themes related to biotechnology, robots, energy, engines, space, and more. Designed to make STEM education enjoyable, approachable, and memorable, it is a favourite with both families and students.

Stat Snapshot:

• Under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), it opened in 1965.

• receives more than one million visits a year (2023-24)

• has more than 150 interactive displays spread over four stories.

• According to 82% of students in a recent poll (NCSM, 2024), VITM made science more approachable.

Location:

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological MuseumKasturba Road, near Cubbon Park, Bengaluru – 560001

Timings:

Daily Hours: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM

(Apart from a few national holidays, it is open every day, including public holidays.)

Entry Fee:

• Adults: ₹60

• Students: ₹25 (with a valid student ID)

• Simulator rides and 3D shows: additional ₹30 to ₹60

• Discounts for Groups and Education Are Available

Must-See Galleries:

• Engine Hall: Real engine cross-sectional models

• Space Gallery: ISRO technology, satellites, and rocket models

• Gallery of Biotechnology: Cells, DNA, and Life Processes

• Play with circuits, transformers, and Tesla coils in the Electro Technic Gallery.

• Children's Gallery: Engaging colour, sound, and water games for kids aged 4 to 8

• Science for Children & Innovation Hub: Makerspace and tinkering laboratories for young brains

How to Reach:

• Metro: Cubbon Park or the Purple Line station on M.G. Road, which is a 5-minute walk away

• Bus/Auto: Excellent connections through Cubbon Park and K.R. Circle

• On-site parking is available for a fee.

Visitor Tips:

• Keep a notepad with you if you're a student; it's an excellent place to get ideas for scientific projects.

• Allow two to three hours for a full visit.

• Don't miss the top level simulator rides and 3D scientific displays.

Address: 5216, Kasturba Rd, Near Chinna Swamy Stadium, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Conclusion

Museums serve as platforms for thinking about the future, as well as entrances to ideas and cultural observations. As tourists, students, or lifelong learners, we have an obligation to explore Bangalore's lesser-known museums and venture beyond the beaten path.

In a day of loops and fast scrolling, take your time and discover a place where items tell tales and stillness talks.

Therefore, instead of going to the mall the next time you want to take your kids somewhere new, consider taking them to a museum. You could discover a unknown aspect of Bangalore.