Craft Museum
- Attraction
- Price: Free
The Crafts Museum Delhi, also known as the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, is one of India’s most beautiful cultural spaces dedicated to traditional arts, crafts, and rural creativity. Located near Pragati Maidan, this museum was designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa and offers visitors a vibrant journey into India’s artistic heritage. It is a peaceful, village-like complex where history, craftsmanship, and culture come alive in the most authentic way.
Spread over several acres, the Crafts Museum showcases thousands of handcrafted objects collected from different regions of India. These include terracotta sculptures, wooden carvings, textiles, tribal art, metalwork, pottery, masks, jewellery, paintings, and weaving tools. Each exhibit reflects the exceptional skills of India’s artisans and the diversity of craft traditions across states and communities.
One of the highlights of the museum is its Rural Village Complex, a recreated village setting featuring traditional huts, courtyards, and architectural styles from different parts of India. Visitors can walk through these open-air spaces to experience how people lived, worked, and created crafts in earlier times.
Another major attraction is the Gurjari Bazaar-style Craft Market, where artisans from all over the country sit and create live art. Here, visitors can watch weavers, potters, painters, and woodcarvers at work, and also purchase beautiful handmade products directly from them.
The Textile Gallery is especially popular for its rich collection of handloom sarees, embroidered fabrics, tribal costumes, and rare textile techniques. The museum also hosts craft demonstrations, workshops, seasonal fairs, and cultural performances, giving people a chance to learn about India’s living craft traditions.
With its lush courtyards, mud huts, colorful displays, and peaceful atmosphere, the Crafts Museum Delhi feels like a cultural retreat in the heart of the city. It is a must-visit destination for art lovers, students, families, and anyone interested in India’s timeless craftsmanship.