Geology Museum, Kolkata
| Place | Kolkata |
|---|---|
| State | West Bengal |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1977 |
| Museum Type | Natural History / Geology Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | 15A&B, Dr Md Ishaque Rd, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM (Tuesday–Sunday) Closed on Mondays and specific public holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹50 (Indian Adults) ₹500 (Foreign Nationals) ₹20 (Children above 5 years) |
Museum Introduction
The Geology Museum, Kolkata is the oldest and largest of its kind in India. Managed by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), it is located on Jawaharlal Nehru Road (Chowringhee) and traces its origins back to the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1814. It serves as the primary custodian of India's geological heritage, housing specimens collected over two centuries of exploration.
General Collections
The collection is divided into four massive thematic galleries: Siwalik Gallery, Invertebrate Fossil Gallery, Rock and Mineral Gallery, and the Earth and Meteorite Gallery. It houses a total of nearly 1,00,000 specimens, including vertebrate fossils, rare minerals from across the globe, and a vast array of rocks illustrating India's stratigraphic evolution.
Unique Historical Collections
Meteorite Collection: One of the world's largest collections, featuring around 700 meteorites including the famous Shergotty meteorite. Siwalik Fossils: A world-class assembly of mammalian fossils from the Siwalik Hills, including extinct species of elephants and giraffes. Barapasaurus tagorei: While the original mounted skeleton is at ISI Kolkata, the GSI section holds critical comparative specimens and casts of ancient sauropods and prehistoric reptiles.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is a major center for paleontological research. Due to space constraints, only a fraction of the GSI's 2.5 lakh fossil specimens are on public display, with many kept in restricted repositories for scholars. It is colloquially known as "Jadughar" (House of Magic) among locals due to its diverse and awe-inspiring natural wonders. |
| Artifacts | Fossilized remains of mammoths and prehistoric mammals; Invertebrate fossils (ammonites, trilobites); Extensive mineral suites; Large meteorite fragments; Geological maps and archival field tools. |
| Contact Details |
+91 33 2286 1636 +91 33 2252 1790 |
| Email ID | director.curatorial@gsi.gov.in |