The only hill station and central India - Mount Abu has been a centre of cultural activity since the pre-historic period. It was the capital of the Parmars in 13th century AD and later on came under the Chauhans. 

The museum was set up in 1962 within the premises of Raj Bhawan to preserve the archaelogical wealth of the region.

The first section has been adorned by a diorama of local tribal hut with their usual living style by adding a gallery of weapons, musical instruments, ladies ornaments like barly, damani, karna, guthma toda, gaga wala thoomar, kanksi berla, various type of earrings and garments etc. belonging to hill dwellers.

The second section has a series of miniature paintings based on raga-ragnis, Jain images from Sirohi, medium sized shields, a small canon called `Topdi' and some pieces of carvings on local wood.

The notable collection of this museum, is the finely carved out statues of Devdasi or Nartakis (Dancer) ranging from 6th century A.D. to 12th century A.D. procured from an ancient township called Chandravati, 7 kms away from Abu. There is an image of the Chakrabahu Shiva having a trishul in one hand and a Khadag in the other and sitting on nandi, the bull. On each side of Shiva and dancing girls.

In the Abu collection consisting of 404 sculptures, the most distinctive exhibit is the vish Kanya (snake goddess) which is 3 feet high. It is shown breast-feeding a snake. The figures are well executed and the attitudes are impressive and natural. It also has the Surya (8th century A.D.) found in Achalgarh, the Shiva (10th century A.D.) brought from Dilwara temple. The Chanvar Vahini and Laxmi (12th century A.D.) also from Chandravati and the Chammunda (8th century A.D.)

The Sculpture Gallery has some memorial inscriptions collected from nearby areas e.g. Chapa's inscription, (local heroine of Achalgarh).

Timing : 9.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

The Pali region and the course of the desert river Luni and its tributaries form a part of the ancient kingdoms of Godwar and Marwar. The contribution of this region to the realm of art and architecture is substantial both qualitatively as well as quantitatively.

The museum provides a glimpse into the rich culture through its various stages of evolution, from the past to the present time. The displays inside the museum are :-

Sculptures from : Neemaj, Nadol, Bali, Balbana, Auwa, Hemawa, Bhinmal (Jalor) Coins from : Ranakpur Terracottas from : Nadol Copper Plates from : Bamnera, Nadol Wood Works from : Bagri, Sojat Stone Work from : Raipur Inscriptions from : Pali, Nadol, Beethoo, Auwa, Bijapur Folk Costumes Ornaments and Musical Instruments from : Bhimana Special attractions : Observatory instruments and statues found from Pali and Bali. The large statue of Thanak Vishnu (6th century A.D.) found from Hemawas (Pali).

Entry Fee : Rs. 3..00 for Adults
: Rs. 1..00 for Students
Monday free
Timing : 9.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

The museum at Ahar has a varied collection of findings from excavations at the mound of Dulkot. It is believed to be the site of a 4,000 year old township. The major exhibits of the museum are the skin scrubber (1st century B.C.) seals (1st century B.C.) grain pot (1st century B.C.) animal figures stone weigts and balls. Some beautiful Hindu and Jain icons are displayed in one gallery, the most prominent being the metallic image of the Jain Tirthankara (saint). Among the collection of sculptures, there is a statue of Vishnu-Nag-Nathan belonging to the medieval period in which snakes are entwined all around the deity.

Timing : 10.00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

The huge City Palace, towering over the Pichola lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Construction of this palace was started by Maharana Udai Singh, the city's founder. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum with a large and varied collection. It was established in 1890 and is one of the earliest museums of the state.

The museum includes the Mor Chowk with its beautiful peacocks in mosaics, the favourite Rajasthani bird. The Manak (Ruby) Mahal has glass and porcelain figures while Krishna Vilas has a remarkable collection of miniatures. Bhim Vilas has a boldly striped floor and scenes from the Radha-Krishna stories are painted on the walls. In the Bari Mahal, there is a fine central garden. More paintings can be seen in the Zanana Mahal. The Moti Mahal has beautiful mirror work and the chini Mahal is covered in ornamental tiles. The museum has the armour of Maharan Pratap and the drums and bugles of the ruler of Mewar, Rana Sanga.

Entry the City Palace through the Ganesh Deori which leads to the Raj Angan or Royal Courtyard.


Timing : 9.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Sunday

The Government Museum of Udaipur was originally located in Gulab Bagh and was called the Victoria Hall Museum. It has now been shifted to Karan Vilas Mahal within the precincts of the City Palace. 

This museum highlights the culture and heritage of Rajasthan through its extensive collection of excavated items, inscriptions, sculptures, paintings and handicrafts. 

The inscriptions exhibited at the museum range from those of 2nd century B.C. to 17th century A.D. The antiquities of the plastic art of Mewar add to the attraction. The sculpture gallery, spread over a big hall, contain some unique and valuable specimens - Indriya Matrika from Jagat (5th - 6th century A.D.); Kumari Matrika from Kumbalgarh; Shiva head from Kalyanpur; Jain Kuber from Bansi (8th century A.D.) Inscriptions exhibited at the museum date back to as early as 200 B.C. The most remarkable collection is that of more than nine thousand miniature paintings of Mewar school from the period of Maharana Jagat Singh (1628-1652 A.D.) to Maharana Swaroop Singh (1842-1861 A.D.) It has a Neutral History section called the Children Gallery which has models of animals like tiger, deer etc. The museum also has a collection of colourful Mewari turbans.

Timing : 10.00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.

Located in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, this is the oldest Museum in the State. The building was designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob. It was built in 1876 when King Edward II visited India as the prince of Wales. It was opened to public in 1886.

There is also an Egyptian mummy belonging to the Ptolemaic Epoch. There are miniature paintings of various sub-schools of Rajasthan. A glimpe of the land and the people of Rajasthan is presented through well planned dioramas.

From 1859 onwards the various galleries along the ground floor of the museum were completely reorganised and renovated. People of Rajasthan, (both males and females)from the higher strate of society, such as Rajputs and Seths as well as the common tribal people like Meenas, Bhopas, Bhils, Badoliya Lohars etc. find depiction here in their typical dresses and ornaments.

Typical designs and motifs in Mehndi Mandana, so characteristic of Rajasthani ladies, are also highlighted in the gallery. In the antechamber of the wing is exhibited puppetry from Rajasthan and the painted scroll delineating the scenes from Pabuji Rathore's life, a great folk hero from Marwar.

The central gallery is devoted to Rajasthani music and dance. Original musical instruments, both classical and folk, are displayed in their functional positions. Specimens include typical folk instruments like Masak, Kamayacha, Dadh, Madal, Khanjari, Sitari, Bankia, Pungi, Algoja, Iktara etc.

The dances illustrated in the gallery include classical ones like Kathak, for which Jaipur Gharana is famous, as well as popular folk dances such as Dandia, Ghoomar, Holi etc. Festivals (like Holi, Gangaur etc.) and ceremonies (like marriage) are also dioramized in a lively manner. The museum functions as the State Museum of Rajasthan.

Timing : 10.00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.
Closed : Friday and gazetted holidays.