Crafts Museum

Overview

A living museum near Purana Qila displaying India's textile, folk-art, and craft traditions across 35 galleries and an open-air village complex reproducing rural architectural styles from every region.

Highlights

• Village Complex: Full-scale replicas of tribal and rural dwellings from Nagaland, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
• Textile Gallery: Hand-loomed Banarasi silks, Kalamkari panels, and Phulkari embroidery spanning centuries.
• Live Craft Demos: Resident artisans demonstrate pottery, weaving, and block printing on-site.

History

Founded in 1956 and redesigned by architect Charles Correa in 1990, the museum is run by the Ministry of Textiles. It was conceived to preserve India's endangered craft traditions.

Visitor Tips

• Entry is free — one of Delhi's best free cultural experiences.
• Shopping: The on-site shop sells authentic handmade crafts directly from artisans.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.