Nehru Planetarium Mumbai, situated in the Nehru Science Centre of Make Believe City at Worli to the west of Mumbai, is a must-visit place for you and your family members during your trip to Mumbai.
History
The Nehru Planetarium was established on 3rd March 1977. The aim was to foster scientific temper through edutainment. The Nehru Planetarium is making learning Astronomy an enjoyable adventure. It also has evolved into a Center for the scientific study of astronomy and a gathering of scientists and scholars for meetings and lectures.
Interesting Facts
The Planetarium’s Zeiss projector is one of the best in Asia, with full-dome projection and a resolution of 540 lines per mm.
Interesting facts you should know before visiting Nehru Planetarium Mumbai or on your next trip to Mumbai:
- The Planetarium has a 3D IMAX Theatre that shows extra large-format films in a three-dimensional format.
- It also has a large hall for indoor shows. It offers entertaining shows for children and adults alike, with the latter including a show on the sky at night and an interactive game involving the movement of the stars with special effects.
- The planetarium has an exhibition gallery where instruments and space-related models are displayed.
- No supporting columns or obstructions block your view of the sky, thanks to its unique spherical structure with 360 degrees of clear vision.
- The planetarium offers fascinating presentations on subjects ranging from space to astronomy to wildlife and beyond – some of them in collaboration with leading scientists worldwide.
- This planetarium has been accredited with a five-star rating by the National Accreditation Board for Science Museums (NAB).
- The planetarium boasts a spectacular projection system with a high-powered Zeiss Star Projector in a 9-meter dome.
- The Auditorium in Nehru Planetarium has 3 green rooms, a Big hall of 917 seating capacity, and a foyer.
Things to do at Nehru Planetarium Mumbai
Nehru planetarium is set perfectly and has striking Neoclassical architecture. Besides the outer facade, a dome on top gives it an elegant look.
Here are things to do at Nehru Planetarium Mumbai:
- The first gallery is the exhibition gallery, where one can see several exhibits from various parts of the world. Shows like different space suits, space-related models, instruments, and equipment.
- The second gallery is the lecture theatre, with shows in Hindi and English.
- The planetarium is a full-dome projector with a 72 cm Zeiss star projector that projects images on the dome on which one can see constellations of stars, planets, and other things, such as the rings of Saturn.
- The show also has interactive games, lights, and lighting effects that appeal to children.
- The planetarium hosts other shows like 3D movies, educational shows, etc. There are shows for school children and those for the general public.
What is unique for Children?
The Planetarium features indoor shows for children, making for an entertaining family outing for kids of all ages. There are regular Earth-oriented and planet-oriented shows hosted by scientists, which are quite popular amongst children.
Many indoor shows are designed for children and are regularly held at the Planetarium. Some of them are:
Science World
The Planetarium hosts regular science lectures in the Science World, attracting people and children. Some of them include the following:
Live shows for children
There are three dedicated shows for school children and two for the general public throughout the year.
Special events during special days such as Teacher Training Week, Children’s Day, Children’s Festival, etc.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai is during the monsoon when there are no crowds. It is a lovely place to sit and refresh from the hustle-bustle of the city. However, you can visit this famous tourist attraction throughout the year.
Timing to Visit
Daily: 10.00 am – 5.45 pm
Booking Hours: 11 am – 5 pm (except 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm)
| Days | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 5:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 5:45 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 5:45 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 5:45 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:45 pm |
| Sunday | 10:00 am – 5:45 pm |
The Nehru Planetarium is closed on all Mondays.
Entry Fee
- Rs.150 for Adults and Children above 5 years of age
- Schools and other concessions would be granted on submission of a letter on the institution’s letterhead from the competent authority. The payment will be made by cash or Demand Draft in favor of Nehru Centre, Mumbai.
- Booking time is 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Advance Tickets booking can be made one week in advance)
Show Timings – the current show is COSMIC LIFE
| Timings | Language | Show |
| 12:00 Noon | Hindi | लौकिक जीवन |
| 1:30 PM | Marathi | वैश्विक जीवन |
| 3:00 PM | English | COSMIC LIFE |
| 4:30 PM | Hindi | लौकिक जीवन |
How to reach Nehru Planetarium Mumbai?
Nehru Planetarium is located in the suburbs of south Mumbai on the outer ring road. It is approximately 3 km from Bandra Terminus Railway Station and 3.5 km from National College (Kala Ghoda). The nearest metro is Versova.
MMRDA has a road called Nehru Road, which connects to the outer ring road, and thus, it can be easily accessed from Bandra Terminus railway station or any other place in South Mumbai. The nearest metro station is Versova.
BEST Routes – 50, 80 (Ltd.), 91(Ltd.), 124, 154, 164, 165, 168, 172, 351, 357, 92, 85, 87
Address of Nehru Planetarium
Nehru Centre, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai – 400018. India. Phone : 91 22 2496 4676 – 80 Fax: 91 22 2497 3827
https://www.nehrucentremumbai.in/
Places to Visit near Nehru Planetarium Mumbai
01. Dhobi Ghat
This is a place that many tourists visit in Mumbai. It has a lot of places for picnics and relaxation and is also famous for many exciting stories about the place being haunted by ghosts.
02. Hanging Garden near Nehru Planetarium Mumbai
This is a great place to visit and relax in the city. The Hanging Garden is a unique feature of the Nehru Planetarium Mumbai. It is beneficial to have a lot of greenery in a city like Mumbai that has existed for so long, as deep inside, one will find much greenery and a garden.
03. SHREE SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE – Ganesha Temple
The temple of Ganesha at Dadar has become a significant tourist attraction with its unique architecture. It houses paintings of Ganesha and other deities worth seeing in Mumbai.
04. Kala Ghoda
This place is a heritage landmark of Mumbai and has several interesting places, like Chowpatty Beach, Ashok Vatika, and many more.
05. Marine Drive
This promenade is one of the five that run along the coastal areas of Mumbai and is a significant tourist attraction.
06. Prince of Wales Museum
This museum was built in memory of the Royal visit of the Prince of Wales to Mumbai. It has a lot of paintings, pottery, and other objects from different parts of India.
FAQs
How much time should you allocate to see the Planetarium?
One can see the Planetarium in an hour or two. There are just a few shows; one can easily see them all daily.
Are there any facilities for kids like babysitting etc.?
Nehru Planetarium Mumbai has a particular area exclusively for babies and toddlers where PlayStations, indoor games, and other activities can be found.
Can I use my camera inside the Planetarium?
Yes, photography is allowed in the Planetarium, but it must be done within the confines of the area. Rules may change occasionally, so I suggest calling the center on the number below and checking before visiting.
Is there any educational video to learn about Science?
One can watch many educational videos in the Planetarium, like a movie on space.
Conclusion
Nehru Planetarium Mumbai is a great place to visit with kids as they get an opportunity to learn more about space and science in general, which will be helpful for them throughout their lives. It is also an excellent place for adults who want to learn more about the science of space and the solar system, among other things, and it can also be a great time pass during the weekend with friends.
