India GOBikaner House, Delhi
Bikaner House is the former Delhi residence of the Maharaja of Bikaner, on Pandara Road near India Gate, now run by the Government of Rajasthan as a public arts centre. Entry is free, and so are its exhibitions and events. It hosts contemporary art, craft shows, performances and talks, and has restaurants and a café in the grounds.
A place few tourists bother to visit, and that's a shame. It's located right next to India Gate, convenient to combine both visits into one route. This is the former residence of the Bikaner rulers, now a cultural center.
Regular events here include:
- Contemporary art exhibitions - Designer markets - Performances - Classical concerts
A very beautiful atmosphere: shade from old trees + a colonial-era building + contemporary art.
Keep an eye on the schedule: you might catch something really interesting.
A cultural gem next to India Gate
Tickets
From a maharaja's residence to an arts centre
When the British moved the capital to New Delhi and set up the Chamber of Princes, the rulers of the princely states needed residences in the new city. Bikaner House was built for Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner to a design by Charles G. Blomfield, on an 8-acre plot in Lutyens' Delhi. Among the princely houses it was the least grand: closer to a large bungalow than to a palace.
After independence in 1947 the Government of Rajasthan bought the building. It was restored and reopened in 2015 as a space for the arts, and in April 2016 the state registered the Bikaner House Management Society to run it as a centre for arts, heritage and culture.
What is inside
What you see depends on the programme: seminars, exhibitions, performances, workshops, book launches and craft fairs. The spaces themselves:
Main Building
The old residence, used for exhibitions. The first-floor rooms are the only spaces without ramp or lift access.
Centre for Contemporary Art
A dedicated gallery for contemporary work.
Living Traditions Centre
The largest single exhibition hall, used for art shows, craft displays, performances and workshops.
Lawns and outdoor spaces
Used for performances and markets under the old trees.
Restaurants, café and store
Regional Indian and Rajasthani food, a café, and a boutique of handcrafted goods.
Timings and entry fee
Entry to Bikaner House is free, and entry to its exhibitions and events is free too. Visitors are welcome on all days of the week.
Events run every day except Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August), each to its own timings, so check the specific event before you go. The hours Monday to Saturday 10:00–18:00 on the official site are listed as office hours of the management society.
The Sunday markets are announced on the venue's social media accounts and mailing list.
Where it is
The address is Pandara Road, New Delhi 110003, right next to India Gate, so the two fit into one walk. Valet parking is offered at events by the organisers, subject to availability.
For artists and organisers
Spaces can be booked only for arts and culture events: exhibitions, performances, film shoots, workshops. Personal events such as weddings, birthdays and family dinners are not allowed, and neither is retail by private bodies. An exhibition booking is at least five days, including installation and dismantling. Proposals go to bhms.rajasthan2020@gmail.com.
❓ FAQ
What is Bikaner House famous for?
It was the Delhi residence of the Maharaja of Bikaner and is now a free public arts centre run by the Government of Rajasthan, with exhibitions, performances, craft fairs, restaurants and a café.
Is there an entry fee at Bikaner House?
No. Entry to Bikaner House and to its exhibitions and events is free.
Who owns Bikaner House?
The Government of Rajasthan, which bought it after 1947. It is managed by the Bikaner House Management Society, registered by the state in 2016.
What events are happening at Bikaner House?
The programme changes constantly: exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops and Sunday markets. Check the official website and the venue's social media for current dates.
Can I book a room at Bikaner House?
The official site does not offer rooms to stay. Its spaces are booked only for arts and culture events, not for personal occasions.
Is Bikaner House open every day?
Visitors are welcome on all days. Events run daily except Republic Day and Independence Day, each with its own hours.