Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum (built through the 60 year quest of Dr. Dinkar Gangadhar 'Kaka' Kelkar in memory of his son Raja) on Bajirao Road in Shukrawar Peth, Pune (celebrated globally across Indian decorative arts as one of the world's greatest single person artifact collections housing over 20,000 priceless treasures from the 14th to 20th centuries), world famous for its full scale recreation of the Mastani Mahal palace chamber built by Peshwa Bajirao I, a gallery of rare zoomorphic musical instruments shaped like peacocks and swans, intricate brass oil lamps, carved betel nut cutters, antique wooden doorways, and an intensely inspiring museum atmosphere), located in the cultural hub of Pune in Maharashtra, stands as Pune's premier decorative arts museum.

Gifted to the Government of Maharashtra in 1975 to preserve India's everyday artisanal genius, the museum spans three floors of meticulously arranged thematic galleries showcasing the craftsmanship of ordinary Indian life.

It's the home of the Belgian cut glass chandeliers illuminating Mastani's courtyard, the ivory chess sets and wooden toys of the Maratha court, the ceremonial brass foot scrubbers and bronze utensils, and an intensely peaceful gallery atmosphere filled with the resonance of antique sitars, polished teakwood aromas, and centuries of handcrafted Indian beauty.

It represents a rich Maharashtra decorative arts heritage apex, Kaka Kelkar curatorial vision, and cultural tourism where Mastani Mahal chambers, classical stringed instruments, brassware galleries, and Pune heritage circuits unite in Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum.

Located along Kamal Kunj in Shukrawar Peth off Bajirao Road, it sits 3 km from Pune Railway Station (PUNE), 11 km from Pune International Airport (PNQ), 1 km from Shaniwar Wada, 500 meters from Vishrambaug Wada, and 800 meters from Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple, easily reached on foot or by auto rickshaw.

The Mastani Mahal & Musical Instruments Gallery

The museum's most celebrated highlight is the Mastani Mahal gallery, an authentic reconstruction of the royal courtyard built in 1734 by Peshwa Bajirao I in Kothrud for his warrior queen Mastani, complete with hand carved pillars, Persian rugs, and wall mirrors.

The musical gallery displays priceless historic veenas, tamburas, sitars, and sarangis sculpted in the shapes of peacocks, makaras, and dragons, once played in royal Maratha and Mughal darbars.

Truth is, standing in front of the ornate Mastani Mahal chandeliers while admiring the hand carved peacock veenas will leave you in awe of India's classical artisan mastery.

Everyday Indian Artifacts & Ancient Armaments

The Brassware & Lamp Collection: Over 100 variations of traditional oil lamps (Deepalakshmi, hanging samais, and chain lamps) accompany a rare collection of brass betel nut cutters crafted in mythological shapes.

Textiles & Weapons Gallery: The upper levels exhibit historic Paithani fabrics, leather shadow puppets, Maratha swords, chainmail armor, and carved wooden village doorways from Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Kelkar Museum & Pune Heritage City Day Plan

The Pune Art & Peshwa Heritage Circuit: Morning visit to royal Shaniwar Wada fort (9:00 AM to 10:45 AM) -> seek blessings at Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple (11:00 AM to 11:45 AM) -> tour Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM: explore Mastani Mahal, musical instruments & brassware) -> authentic Puneri lunch in Sadashiv Peth -> visit carved Vishrambaug Wada nearby (3:00 PM to 4:00 PM) -> explore 8th century rock cut Pataleshwar Caves (4:30 PM to 5:45 PM) -> evening climb up Parvati Hill for sunset vistas (6:15 PM to 7:30 PM).

Visitor Code & Conduct: Touching museum artifacts is strictly prohibited; flash photography is restricted to preserve delicate antique textiles and wood finishes; audio guides and English descriptive booklets are available at the front desk.

After marveling at the treasures of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, explore Shaniwar Wada, visit Pataleshwar Caves, or tour Dagdusheth Ganpati.