Located on Bailey Road in Patna, the Bihar Museum is a state history museum designed to showcase the rich heritage of Bihar from ancient times up to 1764. Built across a spacious 5.6-hectare site with modern architecture and award-winning design, you will discover nine permanent galleries packed with incredible artefacts, including items transferred from the older Patna Museum. Start your tour at the Orientation Gallery to watch an introductory film covering Bihar’s historical timeline.
From there, you can explore History Gallery A, which houses ancient Harappan Civilization objects, stupa railing fragments, and relics from the Mauryan, Nanda, and Shishunaga dynasties. Don't miss History Gallery B to view rare Gupta Dynasty items, or the Historical Art Gallery to marvel at the famous 2300-year-old Didarganj Yakshi. If you are traveling with family, you will love the interactive Children's Gallery, featuring wildlife sanctuary exhibits and history sections on Chandragupta Maurya and Sher Shah Suri.
You can also explore curated displays of regional folk crafts, contemporary art, and the Bihari Diaspora gallery. When you need a break, you can sit down for authentic Bihari cuisine at the museum's on-site restaurant, The Potbelly.
What to see at Bihar Museum
- The iconic 2300-year-old Didarganj Yakshi statue showcased in the Historical Art gallery.
- Interactive Children's Gallery featuring regional wildlife exhibits and historical domains.
- History Gallery A artifacts from the ancient Harappan Civilization and Mauryan dynasty.
- Gupta Dynasty relics spanning the 4th to 6th centuries CE in History Gallery B.
- Regional gallery exhibitions celebrating the crafts, folk culture, and traditions of Bihar.
Visiting tips
Begin your visit in the Orientation Gallery theatre to watch a brief introductory film on Bihar's history timeline and the museum's collections.
How long: Half day · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Bihar Museum is easy to reach on Patna’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Mahatma Gandhi Setu. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Patna travel guide.
See the full Patna travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.