Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was earlier known as Prince of Wales Museum and it is considered one of the splendid structures of the Mumbai city. This is one of the heritage buildings in Mumbai, which has been an established museum since 1922.

The best part of this heritage building is its construction. It has one of the most intricate design work and it truly displays extraordinary artisanship. The architecture is a clever blend of both Indian and British marvels. The garden spread all around the Museum adds to its beauty.

The museum is famous for one more reason. It holds more than 50000 artefacts, artworks, and sculptures that display the rich cultural heritage of India. Since it has been in the air close to a century, there have been a number of renovations, which has increased the beauty of the structure and has opened doors for newer galleries and artworks. It now features artworks of many Hindi deities, traditional textiles, and age-old Indian costumes.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya has been awarded as the Grade I Heritage Building of the city and the first prize in Urban Heritage Award by the Indian Heritage Society. The museum was renamed as 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya' from “Prince Wales Museum’ in order to memorialize the founder of the great Maratha Kingdom - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Let’s get to know more about this amazing tourist destination in the heart of Mumbai city.

There is no best time to visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. You can come to visit this heritage complex at any time of the year. However, you should keep in mind that the museum remains open on all days of the week except Monday. If you like to explore Mumbai at its best then it would obviously be in the course of Ganesh Chaturthi. You can not only visit Ganesh Pandals but also visit all other places of tourist interest in Mumbai. Plan out trips to this amazing city that’s on the move at all times.

Location - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is located near Kala Ghoda Fort on Mahatma Gandi Road, Mumbai. 

Timing - The museum remains open from 10:15 AM - 5:00 PM on all days except Monday.

Price - The entry fee of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is INR 30.

Tips for visiting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya:

When you are visiting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, there are certain things that need to be kept in mind. 

-There is no need of hiring any tourist guide.
-You can collect the audio guides from the reception and then start your tour around the museum. The audio guides are available in more than seven languages apart from English and Hindi. 
-No outside food and drinks are allowed inside the museum. 
-If you feel hungry inside the museum, you can have food at the in-house cafeteria. 
-You should maintain good discipline inside the museum and follow all the rules and regulations strictly.
-You should not touch the artefacts displayed. This is specified in order to avoid any kind of damage to the artefacts and artworks.
-If you want to take home some souvenirs with you then you can easily purchase it from the shop inside the museum. 
-You should not attempt photography and videography inside the museum as it is strictly prohibited.
-Smoking and chewing tobacco are strictly prohibited inside the museum. Make sure you don’t carry any such products. If you do so, then there will be penalties.

From Mumbai Airport-

The distance between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is just 22 KM. You can travel by the western express highway and reach the museum in less than 1 hour.  You can take an autorickshaw from the airport or book a cab to reach the museum without any inconveniences. You can also reach the museum by buses and local trains. The museum is at a walking distance from the nearest railway stations. It would on no occasion be difficult for you to reach at the museum after you get down in Mumbai.