Nehru Planetarium Mumbai Timings (History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)

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The Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai is a part of the Nehru Centre, and is a prominent venue for scientific and astronomical education. Through various lectures, events and ongoing discussions among the eminent space researchers, the Nehru Planetarium Mumbai strives to spread knowledge along with entertainment.

The place is designed by architect J M Kadri and the cylindrical structure along with the beautiful dome building intrigues many people. Students, astronomers and other space research enthusiasts visit this place for the various shows organised here.

At times, you can also witness seminars and cultural events held within the premises. The Nehru Planetarium also has setups in place to help you in stargazing and watching celestial events like eclipses.

Ever since its inauguration, this institution dedicated to space study has been a centre of attraction among students and scientists alike. If science and space fascinate you, the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai is one place which you won’t like to miss. And what more? Kids will love this place too.

History of Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

The Nehru Planetarium has been built as a part of the Nehru Centre that was constructed in 1972. It was set up as a centre for the study of science and humanity. The focus has been on the promotion of edutainment – education along with entertainment.

The planetarium was inaugurated 5 years later, on March 3, 1977. And over the years, the Nehru Planetarium and Nehru Centre have become a preferred destination for eminent astronomy scientists, researchers and others who study planets and all the motion above the sky. Science quiz contests, astronomy-themed painting competitions and debates are also organised here.

Things to do at Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

1. Exploring the Solar System – Among the various shows of the Nehru Planetarium Mumbai, the “Stars & Wonders of the Universe” is a regular one. While the projector displays the images, the narrator talks about the Solar System, the evolution of our planet and other mysteries in our Universe. This 90-minutes-long show has four sessions throughout the day. Two sessions are delivered in Hindi, while the other two are narrated in English and Marathi.

2. Witnessing cosmic events – If you are in Mumbai on the day of Solar or Lunar eclipse, the Nehru Planetarium is the place to witness the event. The place has the facility and necessary instruments to give you the viewing experience, which might not be available from other places in the city.

3. Stargazing – The Nehru Planetarium has telescopes outside the building, for those who are interested in the stars. Through the telescopes, you can gaze into the vast galaxy and may also take a peek into the outer world.

4. Discovering India – In the Nehru Centre complex, you can find several exhibitions, galleries and also auditoriums where various concerts and cultural events take place. Check the schedule with the management if you want to attend some.

5. Visiting the library – The library near the Nehru Planetarium has a collection of about 30,000 books. These books range from religion to allied sciences, from philosophy to social sciences, and even arts and architecture among others. Students frequent this place to check the reference library.

Image Gallery of Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

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Nehru Planetarium Mumbai Entry Fees and Show Timings

The place is open throughout the year except for Mondays and a few festivals. It opens at 11:00 AM and remains accessible until 5 PM.

The show runs four times during the day. The first show starts at 12 noon and is narrated in Hindi. The second show in Marathi and the third one in English commence at 1:30 PM and 3 PM, respectively. The last show of the day begins at 4:30 PM. It is in Hindi again.

Nehru Planetarium ticket price is ₹100 per person (aged 5 years and above). Concessional rates for group visits can be availed too.

Best time to visit Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

Except for the summer months, the temperature in Mumbai remains cool for the rest of the year. So, you can pay a visit to the planetarium during those days, that’s from July to March. It’s an indoor arena, so outside weather won’t affect your experience. However, if you plan to check the telescopes for a view, you must come on a day when the sky is clear.

Time to explore Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

The show duration at the Nehru Planetarium Mumbai is around 90 minutes. But if you also have plans to explore the Nehru Centre campus, have about 3 hours in your planner for this place. Art galleries, exhibitions and library are the different places of attraction available for you to check.

Places to visit near Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

1. Worli Sea Face – Worli Sea Face is a promenade facing the Arabian Sea. It is about 3 km away from the Nehru Planetarium and people use this place to run, jog or just spend their evening looking at the sea. It is also popular because of the street food vendors who set their pani-puri and chaat stalls here.

Apart from the magnetic pull of street food stalls, Worli Sea Face also attracts kids and adults to click a picture with the statue of The Common Man. This walkway is 2 km long and leads you to another attraction of Mumbai – Bandra Worli Sea Link.

2. Bandra Worli Sea Link – It is a cable-stayed bridge built on the Arabian Sea. The bridge is a part of a project to connect the western suburbs of Mumbai to its business district. It reduces the commute time between Bandra and Worli by a huge margin and thousands of vehicles pass through this every day. But it is an architectural marvel too, with a view to behold.

Bandra Worli Sea Link is about 4 km from the Nehru Planetarium and when you pass through it, don’t forget to have a glimpse of Mumbai from the sea.

3. Shree Siddhivinayak Mandir – Only 4 km ahead of Worli Sea Face lies this renowned Hindu temple. Political leaders, Bollywood celebrities and many sports persons come to pray at Shree Siddhivinayak Mandir from time to time. It is a magnificent six-storey temple with a golden dome at its top.

The temple is dedicated to worshipping Lord Ganesh and the wooden doors to the sanctum are all covered with his images. Within the temple complex, there is a Hanuman temple too.

4. Haji Ali Dargah – Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and the tomb of a saint named Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. It is a 400-year-old religious landmark and a popular Islamic pilgrimage place. Tourists and pilgrims from all over the world visit Haji Ali to seek blessings.

It is built on a small island on the Arabian Sea, about 2 km away from the Nehru Planetarium. A short walkway connects the island to the mainland.

5. Hanging Gardens – The Hanging Gardens, about 6 km away from the planetarium, is another must-visit tourist spot in Mumbai. It is a vast space near Girgaon and is full of green plants and trees. Apart from the tourists, locals visit this serene place for meditation, yoga and their daily exercises.

The garden offers a spectacular view of the blue seawaters too. Among the shrubs and well-kept hedges, a "Boot House" is another source of attraction for kids as well as adults. You can go inside and climb your way to the top.

6. Girgaon Chowpatty – Girgaon Chowpatty is a beach in the southern part of Mumbai, at a distance of about 7 km from the Nehru Planetarium. People frequent Chowpatty beach to take a stroll, do yoga and also spend their evening admiring the sunset.

The place is known for the variety of street food options. From spicy chaat to mouth-watering bhelpuri and roasted peanuts, the place has a plethora of stalls selling fast food and local delicacies. It is one of the most crowded tourist attractions in Mumbai. Magicians and other street artists also run their show here.

7. Marine Drive – Similar to the Worli Sea Face, Marine Drive is another promenade that faces the Arabian Sea. It connects Nariman Point to Malabar Hill and is a popular spot for the locals. It is near Girgaon Chowpatty and should be your choicest place if you want to spend some time alone, going over your inner thoughts.

You can take a long walk or just sit on one of the rocks. Apart from the mesmerising views, the area has several restaurants serving local Mumbai food.

8. Taraporewala Aquarium –It is the oldest fish aquarium in India. It is near Chowpatty Beach; across the road from Marine Drive promenade. Taraporewala Aquarium has around 400 species of fishes on display in a long glass tunnel. You walk across glancing at all those marine and freshwater fishes swimming around. Snakes, stingrays and turtles are among the other aquatic life that the aquarium has behind those glass walls.

Apart from those aquatic animals and fishes, Taraporewala Aquarium also has corals and rare seashells in its collection.

9. Mumba Devi Temple – Mumbai is said to have got its name from Goddess Mumba, who was worshipped by the Koli fishermen community. Kolis were the first residents of Mumbai and this beautiful temple today stands among the crowded cloth and jewellery markets. It is a sacred spot for Hindus and hundreds of people visit this place. Apart from the daily devotees, tourists also visit the Mumba Devi Temple. It is about 6 km away from the Nehru Planetarium.

10. Gateway of India – The Gateway of India is a monument that represents Mumbai on the world map. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style and the construction began in 1911. It was constructed to commemorate the official arrival of King George V and Queen Mary to India and intricate lattice work beautifies this magnificent stone arch.

It is about 10 km away from the Nehru Planetarium Mumbai and stands as one of the popular tourist attractions in the city. It is also the boarding point for ferries and luxury boat tours that take you around Mumbai.

How to Reach Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

The Nehru Planetarium is in Worli, which is one of the poshest neighbourhoods of Mumbai furnishing the skyline of the city. It lies in proximity to Mumbai railway station and bus depot and accessible from the airport too.

A network of BEST buses serves Worli throughout the day and you can take a private cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai too. You can also get on a Mumbai local train to reach the planetarium from anywhere in the city. Mahalaxmi, Byculla and Chinchpokli are among the nearest local stations for the Planetarium.

And here’s how you can go to Mumbai –

By Road – Mumbai is connected to all the neighbouring towns and cities through buses and taxis. You can book a luxury bus from Pune (148 km), Aurangabad (370 km), Nashik (168 km) or any other place around Mumbai. Buses from distant cities like Panaji (571 km) and Ahmedabad (525 km) are also available regularly. You can even get a cab from these cities to reach Mumbai and tour the city. Mumbai Central Bus Depot is only 5 km from the Nehru Centre and Planetarium.

By Rail – Mumbai has daily trains from all the metropolitan cities including Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Trains from other corners of India also arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) and Mumbai Central (MMCT), which are the main railway terminals in Mumbai. While MMCT station is 5 km away from the planetarium, CSTM is at a distance of about 10 km. Few trains to Mumbai also stop at one of the suburban railway stations there.

By Air – Mumbai has regular flights from all the popular tourist destinations in the world. The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is about 16 km away from the Nehru Planetarium and serves international as well as domestic flights.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Nehru Planetarium Mumbai

Now that you know all about the Nehru Planetarium Mumbai show timings and rates, there are a few more things that you must know before visiting it.

• The shows are narrated in different languages, so make sure you book the one that suits your language preference
• The gates close 15 minutes before the show
• There is a small canteen within the premises that serves snacks but the choice is limited

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Location Map for Nehru Planetarium Mumbai