Weather: 11 - 24°C
Tags: Museum
Time Required: 3-4 hours
Also Refered As: Udaipur Folk Museum

Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, Udaipur Overview
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum in Udaipur is a captivating showcase of the Mewari region's cultural heritage. A part of the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, this museum is home to a wide range of artifacts, including traditional costumes, jewelry, masks, musical instruments, and more. It is particularly famous for preserving the 2,000-year-old art of puppetry, offering regular puppet performances and training courses for both children and adults to help sustain this ancient tradition.

History and Objective
Founded in 1952 by Padma Shri Devi Lal Samar, the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal's primary mission is to preserve and promote India's diverse traditional art forms. The museum plays a pivotal role in this effort, keeping alive folk and tribal art that is gradually fading in the modern world. It is one of Udaipur's most popular attractions, drawing visitors eager to explore the region's rich cultural heritage.

Exhibits at the Museum
The museum boasts a rare collection of rural Rajasthani attire, weapons, ornaments, toys, musical instruments, utensils, and decorative items. The first hall greets visitors with a display of theatrical objects, followed by an exhibition of tribal folk musical instruments and ornaments.

One of the highlights is a charming display of henna handprints, decorated cow dung floors, and terracotta shrines from the village of Molela near Nathdwara. These exhibits have been carefully curated over the past 44 years, showcasing Udaipur’s vibrant culture.

Visitors can also enjoy a puppet show at the Govind Puppet Performance Centre, where the traditional Rajasthani style of puppetry, with its centuries-old history, comes to life. The museum also features folk dance performances from across India, including popular Rajasthani, Maharashtrian, and Gujarati styles such as Dandiya, Garba, and Lavani.

Entry Fee and Timings

  • Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indian visitors, INR 35 for foreign visitors
  • Photography Fee: INR 20 for Indians, INR 50 for foreigners
  • Timings: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (closed only on public holidays)

How to Reach Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
Located in the heart of Udaipur near Chetak Circle, the museum is easily accessible from all parts of the city by local buses, rickshaws, taxis, and car rentals.