Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in Delhi with Kids

Visiting Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in Delhi is just like revisiting the lanes of time-worn childhood memories. Wouldn’t you want to relive those memories with your kids?

Ever wish you could be a kid again? Do you miss those simple and whimsical times? Nowadays, it’s all go, go, go, rush, rush, rush—traffic brawls, pick up the kids, cook dinner, do laundry, pay bills, blah, blah, blah, and it never ends. Stress takes a toll.

Once in a while, you must embrace and love your inner child to maintain your sanity. Isn’t it? To soak yourself in long-forgotten childhood days, visit this museum in Delhi, which houses dolls from countries around the world.

If the idea of spending time at the museum bores you, try visiting Shankar’s International Dolls Museum. Your whole perspective on museums will change. Your kids will love you for this.

Read more: India itinerary ideas for spending 1 to 4 weeks

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An Unplanned Visit to the Dolls Museum

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. (Holidays are lovely because I’m so appreciative of the time I get to spend with the family!)

While sipping a morning cup of tea, we (I, hubby, and our 8-year-old girl) were planning to visit the World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan.

We wanted to reach it as soon as it opened (11 a.m.) to dodge the expected huge rush.

Being book enthusiasts (me and mini-me), we wanted to immerse ourselves entirely in the joy of book hoarding without any hassle or chaos.

We left home early (okay, fine, too early), taking into account predicted traffic conditions and the chaos of a capital city.

Consequently, we reached much before time (9:45) as usual (we are always on time; mainly before time, no matter what’s on our plate, and don’t know if it’s good or bad).

Now what? The question was how to invest time rather than kill it.

We Googled nearby places and discovered this gem, just 5 minutes from Pragati Maidan.

Looking for the historical places to visit in Delhi? Explore the ruins of Tughlaqabad in Delhi.

I mean, just the thought of exploring an entire museum devoted to dolls was exhilarating, especially for mini-me.

My daughter chuckled while she quoted Dr. Suess, “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… get on your way!”

And we were off to a great place!

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is reminiscent of a half-remembered childhood.

This place literally feels like a child’s dream come true, and for old folks, it’s like reliving one’s childhood. Overall, the doll museum is a wonderful attraction for young and old alike.

They were opening the museum (10:00) when we reached.

Being the first visitors of the day, we had the luxury to stroll around and enjoy the place at ease. After spending around an hour, the visit to the dolls’ museum felt like a really wise investment of time.

The museum is nothing short of a fairyland for young kids, especially girls.

My daughter just adored it, and she learned about different cultures, costumes, dances, and the world at large.

And I relived my childhood with my daughter. She now wants a doll from every country or place we plan to visit 🙂

They really have a fantastic collection of dolls.

This museum helps children understand the cultures, traditions, and customs of different countries. It’s like seeing the whole world in one museum!

I was charmed by dolls as they reminded me of my childhood days when I would plan my gudiya ki shaadi with my friend’s gudda. I started humming a song by Mary Hopkin in my mind:

Those were the days my friend

We thought they’d never end

We’d sing and dance forever and a day

We’d live the life we choose

We’d fight and never lose

For we were young and sure to have our way.

Then the busy years went rushing by us

We lost our starry notions on the way

If by chance I’d see you in the tavern

We’d smile at one another and we’d say

Those were the days my friend…

About Shankar’s International Dolls Museum

The museum was a brainchild of renowned political caricaturists and the founder of the Children’s Book Trust, Mr. Keshav Shankar Pillai (1902-1989), who wanted this place to be a window to the world for a child.

The museum is financed and managed by the Children’s Book Trust (CBT) India.

K Shankar Pillai collected these dolls from every country he visited as part of the Prime Minister’s escort.

The majority of the dolls have been gifted to Shankar by ambassadors and dignitaries from various countries.

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum was awarded the Golden Peacock Feather Award at the Dolls Biennale in 1980 inKraków, Poland.

You can’t leave Delhi without visiting the historical wonder called the Tomb of Safdarjung!

History

Keshav Shankar Pillai once received a doll dressed in a traditional Hungarian costume as a gift from a Hungarian diplomat.

It sparked the idea of collecting the dolls from all the countries he visited. He ideated his collection as the Mini United Nations.

Mr. Pillai collected around 500 dolls over a few years while he traveled as a journalist with the first Prime Minister of India.

He started holding exhibitions in Delhi, during which some of the dolls were damaged. He was worried about the condition of the dolls.

Smt addressed his concern. Indira Gandhi, when she visited one of his exhibitions in Delhi with her father, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. She gave the brilliant idea of setting up a permanent dolls museum in Delhi.

The Dolls Museum was finally inaugurated in 1965 by the then Prime Minister of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

Did you know? Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is one of the largest collections of costume dolls in the world.

The Collection

With almost 7,000 vintage dolls from 85 countries, the museum is a world in itself. They are all works of art. The assortment is astonishing, and so are the expressions they carry.

The dolls are displayed in two sections: the first shows those collected from Europe, the USA, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Australia, and New Zealand, and the second showcases those collected from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and India.

Displayed in almost 160 glass cases, there are all kinds of dolls viz. ceramic dolls, wax dolls, wooden dolls, soft dolls, clay dolls, string dolls, plastic dolls from countries around the world including unlikely nations like Greenland, Panama, Guatemala, Bolivia, Botswana, Cuba, Lithuania, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Balkans, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, Portugal, Bulgaria to name a few.

There are also demonstrations of Neil Armstrong’s first moonwalk, Krishna dancing with the gopis, scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and Indian dolls made in the museum’s own workshop.

More than 150 dolls grace the Indian costume dolls section, handcrafted in the museum’s own workshop, each one dressed in traditional attire and jewelry from different Indian states.

With painstakingly crafted, true-to-life faces, the dolls look and feel real.

As I strolled through the museum from one exhibit to another, the expressions on the dolls’ faces reached out to me. They all seem to pulsate with life.

Other notable costume dolls include Maypole dancers from Hungary, Kabuki and Samurai dancers from Japan, Flamenco dancers from Spain, Kandyan dancers from Sri Lanka, and a replica of the Queen’s doll collection (UK).

The workshop sells handcrafted Indian dolls to museums and avid collectors worldwide. It also makes special Indian dolls to be exchanged for gifts received from other countries.

Just a suggestion: If you are visiting Delhi as a tourist and want to take back a beautiful souvenir, a handcrafted Indian doll from the museum’s workshop would be a quintessential choice.

The rare dolls that are deteriorating over time are cared for and restored at the “Doll Clinic”.

Even though dolls are kept in glass cases, somehow, dust reaches them.

Delhi pollution, you know! It must be a challenge for management to clean and restore them carefully.

The oldest in the collection is a Swiss doll, made in 1781, lying on a bed. Her feeble condition is a hint of its history, but I feel the museum authority is doing a pretty good job of preserving it.

I particularly loved the collection of bridal couples from various Indian states, the cute South Korean dolls, especially the dreamy and cheerful girl at the window, and the Russian dolls with chubby cheeks.

And you know, we were so engrossed in admiring the beautiful vintage doll collection that we didn’t even bother to notice dust-covered specimens or paint flaking off the walls.

Despite its shortcomings and challenges, this 49-year-old museum continues to attract visitors. It has been named as one of the most unique museums in the world on several occasions.

We visited the World Book Fair after the museum and were happy to have a double treat 🙂

Why Should You Visit?

Because it’s unique.

It not only enchants the kids but teaches them about the world, its people, its culture, its customs, its diversity, and its advancement.

A museum is a perfect place for children to learn about the world while doing what they love.

Essentials

The Location

The museum is housed in the CBT building named Nehru House. The staircase near the ticket counter leads up to the lobby of the Dolls Museum.

Address: Children’s Book Trust (CBT), Nehru House (a couple of steps from ITO Crossing), 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

How to Reach

The museum is located near the ITO crossing, close to Ram Charan Agarwal Chowk. ITO is well-connected to other parts of Delhi.

Delhi Metro is the most convenient way to reach the museum. You can hire an auto-rickshaw or a cab. Ola and Uber are available in Delhi.

Alternatively, you can take a local bus to reach the museum. DTC buses run from diverse points within the city.

If you are driving, park your car elsewhere and walk up to the museum. Parking is an issue as they don’t have dedicated parking.

Nearest Metro Station/Bus Stop: ITO (Violet line)

Nearest Railway Station: Tilak Bridge

Entrance Fees

The ticket prices are surprisingly low for such a unique experience.

Children up to the age of 12: INR 10; Adults: INR 25

Schoolchildren in groups of 20 or more are charged a discounted rate of INR 5.

*Plus service tax as applicable.

Opening Days and Timings

The times are from 10:00 to 18:00. The last entry is allowed until 17:30.

The museum operates from Tuesday to Sunday. Monday is the weekly off. It is closed on National Holidays.

Contact for More Information

+91 11 2331 6970

Photography/Video

Photography and video-making are prohibited inside the museum. Prior written permission must be obtained from the authorities at CBT.

Mobile Phones are allowed on the premises, but you are not permitted to take pictures with them.

Time required/Duration of Visit

It takes 1-2 hours to explore the entire museum at your own pace.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the museum. There’s no cafe inside. Drinking water and washroom facilities are available inside the museum.

Pro tip: Satisfy your hunger pangs at Udupi Cafe just next to Shankar’s International Dolls Museum. The masala dosa and idlis are excellent here. Actually, too good for the price.

Tourist Attractions Near the Dolls Museum

There are a plethora of other famous and lesser-visited attractions in the vicinity of the Dolls Museum if you are keen to explore more of Delhi.

The list includes India Gate, National Zoological Park (Chidiya Ghar, Delhi Zoo), Purana Qila (Old Fort), Khooni Darwaza, Feroz Shah Kotla, Khair-ul-Manazil Mosque, National Museum, and National Science Center.

If you happen to visit the museum on Sunday, add THE Iconic Daryaganj Sunday Book Market to your itinerary.

Update: The old Daryaganj Sunday book market was shut down in July on the Delhi High Court’s order. It has been relocated to Mahila Haat, near Delhi Gate metro station on Asaf Ali Road.

Have you ever visited Shankar’s International Dolls Museum? If not, are you planning to see it sometime soon? Whether you live in Delhi or are traveling to Delhi, Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is a must-visit.

Are you a history lover like us? You’d love to read about the Safdarjung Tomb and the Tughlaqabad Fort in Delhi. Also, read our ultimate travel guide to Delhi that answers all your questions about traveling to Delhi: how to get around, where to stay, what to eat, and places to visit in Delhi.