Doll Museum Delhi 2024: Location, Timings, Ticket Price, Photos, etc.

Delhi is home to various amazing museums like the Air Force Museum, National Science Centre, National Rail Museum, etc. One such stunning museum that is loved by kids and adults alike is the Doll Museum Delhi. 

Honestly, I never liked dolls after watching The Conjuring movie, but a visit to this museum changed my thinking. 

This place is a dreamland for children, as it houses more than 6500, dolls from 85 different countries. The dolls are made, dressed, and arranged in such a way that each of them represents their culture and country in terms of costume, skin, and hair. 

Before visiting, I would have never guessed the incredible amount of detailing that goes into making these small dolls, taking into consideration the hierarchy, the flags, and even the geographical placement of the dolls. 

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum: A Brief Overview

The museum, officially known as Shankar’s International Dolls Museum, is built on a single-floor Children’s Book Trust Building near Ram Charan Agrawal Marg. 

Shankar Pillai, a renowned political cartoonist, was inspired to create the museum after he received a beautiful doll as a gift from the Hungarian ambassador. He loved it so much that he decided to collect and display dolls from various countries and cultures.  

The museum was founded in 1965 on a 5184.5 sq feet portion. You can find exhibitions here from the U.K., the USA, Australia, India, New Zealand, other Asian countries, the Middle East, Africa, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

You’ll be surprised to know there’s even a doll Workshop where most of the dolls placed in the museum are made. Furthermore, you can also try your hand at doll-making and take home your creation. 

Doll Museum Delhi Timings And Ticket Price 

Delhi’s most beloved attraction, located in the Children’s Book Trust building on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, has minimum ticket prices and the same timings as other museums in the city.

Here are Doll Museum Delhi timings ~

The museum and the ticket counter open at 10 am, and the latest entry you can have at the museum is at 5:30. The museum stays closed on Mondays and gazetted holidays like 26 January (Republic Day), 15th August (Independence Day), and 2nd October (Gandhi Jayanti). 

Days	Timings
Monday	Closed/Holiday
Tuesday to Sunday	10:00 am — 5:30 pm

Doll Museum Delhi Ticket Price ~

The Doll Museum Delhi Ticket Price is very nominal, which is ₹25 for adults and ₹20 for kids. But if you go in a group, then there are chances that the total price will be slashed down. 

Category	Prices
Adult	₹25
Children	₹20

Main Attractions at the Doll Museum Delhi

The museum houses an extensive collection of dolls from all over the world, and believe me, there’s more to see in this small museum than you can ever expect. Here are some main attractions at the Doll House Delhi ~

International Collection 

A) European Collection — Dolls from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and other European nations are displayed in this area. The dolls are dressed in traditional costumes, reflecting the cultural heritage of each country.

B) Asian Collection — Dolls from Thailand, China, Japan, and other Asian countries are on display for visitors to appreciate. Japanese dolls are one of the most popular collections here because of their elaborate kimono patterns and traditional haircuts.

C) African Collection — This collection showcases a huge range of African attire, jewelry, and headgear, showcasing different African cultures and their rich diversity.

D) North American and Latin American Collection — The collection includes dolls from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, dressed in colorful traditional costumes, representing the vibrant cultures of their countries. 

Indian Collection 

A) Religious Dolls — The Indian section is the most loved and the highlight of the museum, showcasing beautiful dolls from different states of India. Each doll represents the country’s cultural diversity by being dressed in a certain way. 

B) Festive Doll — If you’re an Indian, I’m sure you’ve played with the ‘wedding dolls’ once in your lifetime. The wedding dolls are the male and female dolls dressed in Indian wedding attire. Along with that, some dolls depict other Indian festivals and ceremonies, such as Diwali, Holi, Lohri, etc. 

Special Exhibition 

A) Historical and Vintage Dolls — This is a collection of antique and vintage dolls, some dating back several decades, housed at the museum. These dolls offer an insight into how doll-making has changed throughout time.

B) Themed Exhibits — Periodically, the museum hosts themed exhibits that focus on specific cultures, festivals, or historical periods, adding variety to the visitor experience.

Doll Making Workshop 

The museum occasionally organizes doll-making workshops where people and kids can learn to make dolls on their own. These workshops offer a hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation for the craft. You can also participate in doll-making here and take your creation home with you. 

To learn about other kinds of dolls at the museum, watch this YouTube vlog by Worlds of Jasmeet 

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum Dos and Don’ts 

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is a historical place in India specifically in Delhi and to keep this museum in its full glory, here are some dos and don’ts to remember while at the museum. 

Must Try Foods at International Dolls Museum 

Here are some must-try foods near the Shankar’s International Doll Museum Delhi ~ 

Prawn Thali at Parsi Anjuman

Price — ₹550

Address — Parsi Anjuman Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002, India

Mutton Thali at Rustom’s

Price — ₹625

Address — Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg Delhi Parsi Anjuman, LNJP Colony, ITO, New Delhi 110002, India

Nutty Fudge Browny at Cafe Coffee Day 

Price — ₹89

Address — 6 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002, India

Cream of Mushroom Soup at Sos Café 

Price — ₹155

Address — Outer Ring Road Next to Capital Court, New Delhi 110002 India

Sharabi Kukkad at 38 Barracks 

Price — ₹1800

Address — M — 38 Outer Circle M-38, Connaught Place, New Delhi 11000, India

Shankar’s International Doll Museum Photos 

Rules and Regulations at Doll House Delhi 

The doll museum is a historic and engagingly educational place for children. Here are some rules and regulations to follow at the Doll Museum ~

1. Visitors are not allowed to touch the dolls or exhibits to help preserve their condition.
2. Flash photography is often prohibited as it can damage the delicate materials of the dolls. Check with the museum for specific photography rules.
3. Eating and drinking inside the museum are not allowed to prevent spills and damage to the exhibits.
4. Avoid screaming inside the museum to maintain a peaceful environment for all visitors.
5. Running or playing inside the museum is not permitted to ensure the safety of both the exhibits and visitors.
6. Children must be supervised by adults at all times to ensure they follow the museum rules.
7. Large bags or backpacks are not allowed inside the museum. Visitors are required to leave them in a designated area or locker.
8. Ensure you have your ticket before entering. Follow the specified process for ticket purchase, whether it’s online or at the entrance.
9. Smoking and littering inside the museum are strictly prohibited. 

Best Time to Visit Doll Museum Delhi

October is the best time to visit any place in Delhi since the climate is cool enough to allow you to explore. Here are some other reasons that affect the best time to visit the museum ~ 

1. Winter (October to March) — This is the most pleasant time to visit Delhi, with cooler temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 25 °C (50 °F to 77 °F). The comfortable weather makes it easier to explore the city and enjoy outdoor activities before or after your visit to the museum.

2. Summer — Although the summer months make it hard to visit anywhere in Delhi, you’ll likely find less crowd. 
3. Weekend v/s Weekdays — Visit on weekdays rather than weekends since it might get a bit crowded on weekends. 

4. Morning v/s Evening — Arriving early in the morning (around 10:00 AM when the museum opens) can help you avoid larger crowds and allow you to explore the exhibits at a leisurely pace. 

5. Special Exhibitions and Events: Check if there are any special exhibitions or events at the museum during your visit, as these can enhance your experience but also attract more visitors.

How to Reach Doll Museum Delhi

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is conveniently located in the heart of New Delhi, making it easily accessible by various modes of transportation. Here are the details on how to reach the museum ~

• By Metro — The nearest metro station to Doll Museum is ITO on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro map, about 5 meters away, which will take around a minute to reach by foot. 

• By Bus — The following transit lines have routes that pass near Shankar’s Doll Museum, you can opt for buses with these numbers ~ 101A, 419LSTL, 449CL, 502, 73, 793, 793B, 072, 164, 167, 173, 241, CBD1-, CBD2(+), 104, 135, 139, and 621

• By Train —  The nearest railway station to the museum is New Delhi Railway Station, about 4.3 km away, which will take about 16 minutes to reach by car. You can either take a car/cab or travel by metro to the museum. 

Nearby Famous Places to The Doll Museum 

Here are some amazing places near the Doll Museum that you should not miss while visiting Delhi ~ 

1. Feroz Shah Kotla Fort (700 m)
2. Khooni Darwaza, Delhi (1.6 km)
3. Rajghat (1.9 km)
4. Red Fort (3.4 km)
5. Palika Bazar (3.9 km)
6. Museum of Illusions (3.9 km)
7. India Gate (4.1 km)
8. Purana Quila (4.8 km)
9. National Zoological Park (5.3 km)

Conclusion 

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is more than just a collection of dolls, it is a hub of global cultural heritage and artistic expression. For over five decades, it has served as a bridge connecting people to the world’s diverse traditions through the medium of dolls. 

Whether you are a child, a student, or a curious adult, a visit to this museum promises a fascinating journey into the world of miniature artistry and cultural diversity.