Bihar Museum Ranked 9th In World's Best Museums List: Check Which Global Icons It Beat
Bihar Museum in Patna has climbed to ninth place in the World's 100 Best Museums 2026, becoming the highest‑ranked museum in Asia and even out‑ranking the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre.
The museum’s breadth spans from ancient civilisations to the early 19th century. Gallery A delves into the Mauryan era under Ashoka, while Gallery B showcases Sunga, Kushana, Gupta and Pala art. Gallery C highlights the Nawabs of Bengal, Patna School of Painting, Sufism and Sikhism. The Historical Art Gallery houses the iconic Didarganj Yakshi, a 5‑foot‑2‑inch sandstone statue discovered on the Ganga banks, alongside Daniell prints and medieval miniatures.
Regional traditions come alive in the Regional Art Gallery with Manjusha, Mithila, Tikuli and Sujni works. The Diaspora Art Gallery traces the journeys of Bihari indentured labourers across Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa and the Caribbean. A Contemporary Art Gallery presents works by thirty artists reflecting post‑independence social change, and a Children’s Gallery offers interactive displays on animals, folk art, culture and science.
Currently the museum hosts Cosmic Garden, an exhibition featuring pieces by Madhvi Parekh, Manu Parekh, embroidered works by Karishma Swali and the Chanakya School of Craft, running through mid‑November. Visitor amenities include a children’s café, shop, library and a visible‑storage area for punch‑marked coins and terracotta.
Opening hours are 10 am‑5 pm Tuesday to Sunday, with extended evenings for the children’s areas until 7 pm and a restaurant until 9 pm. Ticket prices are modest—Rs 100 for Indian adults (Rs 50 after 5 pm) and Rs 500 for international adults—making the museum an accessible cultural destination.