Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya

The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is an anthropology museum spread across 200 acres on Shamla Hills with indoor halls and outdoor sections. It displays life-size replicas of traditional dwellings from different regions, complete with historical objects and crafted items.

The museum was founded in 1977 in New Delhi and later moved to Bhopal to gain more space for expansion. The relocation allowed the collection to grow significantly and new outdoor exhibitions to be created.

The exhibitions showcase living spaces of different ethnic groups, complete with everyday objects, tools, and religious items that reflect their daily life. Visitors can see how people organized their homes and which objects held importance in their communities.

Visiting on weekdays and during early morning or late afternoon hours works best to avoid crowds. The site is expansive, so wearing comfortable shoes and allowing plenty of time for leisurely exploration is recommended.

The grounds hold 32 prehistoric painted rock shelters displaying artwork thousands of years old. These cave paintings come from an era long before the museum itself was built and remain preserved under protection.