Among Pune’s old-city sights, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum offers a close-up look at Indian objects collected by Dr. D. G. Kelkar in memory of his only son, Raja. Its galleries make it a cultural stop to pair with nearby heritage sights and markets.
- Location: Kamal Kunj, Bajirao Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune.
- Collection: About 22,000 artifacts, including lamps, musical instruments, textiles and carved woodwork.
- Hours: Open daily
- Admission: Rates vary for children, adults and foreign visitors.
What can you see at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum?
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum displays a broad collection of everyday objects, decorative arts and historical artifacts. Established in 1962, the museum holds about 22,000 objects collected by Dr. D. G. Kelkar and dedicated to the memory of his only son, Raja.
The collection includes lamps, palanquins, carved woodwork, musical instruments, miniature and glass paintings, arms and armour, ivory, kitchen utensils and textiles. Galleries and collections also cover doors, Mastani Mahal, bronzes, writing implements, tambool and puppets. The range gives the museum a strong focus on objects used in daily life as well as crafted and ceremonial pieces.
You’ll find it at No. 1377/78, Kamal Kunj, Bajirao Road, Natu Baag, Shukrawar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411002.
Hours, tickets and visitor rules
The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. throughout the year, though hours may differ during special festivals such as Diwali. It closes on 26 January, 15 August, Anant Chaturdashi and the following day. Call 020 24482101 to confirm exact hours, and check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00–17:30
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Admission is Rs. 50 for children below 12, Rs. 140 for adults above 12, Rs. 500 for foreign adults and Rs. 100 for foreign children. Entry is free for blind and differently abled or physically challenged visitors. The museum does not state photography rules, so confirm those with the museum if they matter to your plans.
How do you get to the museum from Chakan?
From Click Hotel Sagar Plaza Chakan Pune, drive toward Pune city centre; the journey takes about 93 minutes by car. Shanipar and Abhinav Kala Vidyalaya are the nearby bus stops named by the museum. From the museum, Pune Railway Station is 4 km away, the airport is 12 km away and Swargate Bus Station is 2 km away.
To fit the museum into a broader city day, use this one-day Pune itinerary from Chakan to plan the order of your stops.
What can you combine with a museum visit?
The museum’s nearby places include Sarasbaug, Parvati, Vishrambaug Wada, P. L. Deshpande Japanese Garden, Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal, Pataleshwar Caves and Dagduseth Halwai Ganesh Temple. You can combine the museum with one or more of these Pune sights, then continue into the old city.
For a market-focused outing, Tulshibaug, Mandai and Laxmi Road feature in this guide to Pune Old-City Markets.
FAQs
How large is the museum’s collection?
The museum’s collection contains about 22,000 artifacts, including objects such as palanquins, textiles, lamps and musical instruments.
Is the museum open every day?
Open daily. The museum closes on 26 January, 15 August, Anant Chaturdashi and the following day. Call ahead to confirm its hours, especially around festivals.
Does the museum offer free admission?
Entry is free for blind and differently abled or physically challenged visitors; other admission rates vary by visitor category.