Teen Murti Bhavan and Nehru Planetarium, Delhi

Teen Murti Bhavan (Nehru House) and Nehru Planetarium, Delhi Overview

The Teen Murti Bhavan is a splendid and historical architecture located in the Indian capital city of New Delhi. This magnificent structure was built in the year 1930 by British architect Robert Torr Russel as a part of the new capital city and served as the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Army. After Independence, it was converted into the residence of the Indian Prime Minister, who was Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru at that time. The Teen Murti Bhavan was his residence for 16 years until his death in 1964, after which the house was converted into a memorial dedicated to him. It is called so owing to the statue of three soldiers that exists in the premises of the Bhavan.

In addition to being an important national memorial, Teen Murti Bhavan today houses various institutions like the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. Some parts of Nehru's old office have been recreated in the museum by using the same furniture and other artefacts that he used at that time, while the library has exhaustive resources on the modern history of India. The office of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund is also situated within the bounds of the Bhavan. One of the four Nehru Planetariums is also located within the grounds of the house and is a place of keen interest for children and science enthusiasts alike. The planetarium hosts some really interesting shows and presentations in its sky theatre and is a must if you happen to visit this place.

History and Architecture of Teen Murti Bhawan

The Teen Murti Bhavan was originally known as 'Flagstaff House' and was meant to be the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in India. This imposing structure covers a massive area of 30 acres and was carved out of white stone and stucco to give it its signature look. It stands to face the south side of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Post independence it was converted into Jawaharlal Lal Nehru's personal residence and continued to be so for the next 16 years. Ensuing his death, it was converted to a cenotaph dedicated to him.

The entrance of the main building is arched and the windows here are recesses. The first floor has a magnificent pillared verandah with a serene backdrop of lush green lawns. The name Teen Murti or "three statues" came to be as a result of the memorial at the junction of the Bhavan built by British sculptor Leonard Jennings. Life size statues of three soldiers were built in the complex in the year 1922 as a memorial of soldiers of the princely states of Jodhpur, Hyderabad and Mysore who served in the British Army during the World War I.

Nehru Memorial Museum

The Museum at Teen Murti Bhavan houses a wide collection of Nehru's personal items. His drawing room, bedroom and study have been preserved as they were during the time of his death, and you can catch a glimpse into the life of this national leader as it was. Various audio-video mediums are used here to relate the story of Nehru's life and make for an interesting history lesson. A number of photographs, manuscripts, letter and periodicals from the time of the independence movement are here on display as well. The Nehru Memorial Museum also has a gifts gallery which houses the illustrious gifts received by him during his lifetime. In addition to these, the complex also has a souvenir shop and the monument 'Kushak Mahal' which was a hunting lodge in its time.

Nehru Memorial Library

The Nehru Memorial Library is a research centric library and has extensive data on colonial and post - colonial India in the form of books, journals, photographs and other resource materials. The material is also available in the form of microfilms and microfiche, which includes more than 18,231 microfilm rolls of private papers, missionary records, newspapers and old and rare journals and 51,322 microfiche plates of research materials. The library has clubbed all content relating to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru under the heading 'Nehruana'. Similar collections exist for Mahatma Gandhi under the title 'Gandhiana' and for Indira Gandhi under the title 'Indirana'. The library has a photo division as well and having around 2,02,415 pictures pertaining to the Indian freedom movement. These resources can be accessed by researchers at a nominal entry fee, and has immense historic relevance.

Nehru Planetarium

The Nehru Planetarium in Teen Murti Bhawan is dedicated to creating a consciousness and interest towards science and technology among children from a young age. Screening of various innovative and fascinating programmes takes place here on a regular basis which are followed up with interactive sessions for the visitors. Many events are held here keeping young students, college goers and astronomers in mind. The months of February and August are reserved for organising Astronomy Quiz and Art competitions. Shows are held here from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM and is as shown below:-

11:30 AM - From Guest Star to a Cosmic Light House - A story of Supernovae and Pulsars (In English)
1:30 PM - Ultimate Universe/Solar System (In Hindi)
3:00 PM - Ultimate Universe/Solar System (In English)
4:00 PM - Ultimate Universe/Solar System (In Hindi)
12:30 PM - Ultimate Universe/Solar System (In Hindi) (Only Sunday )

Tickets can be purchased from the site and are sold half an hour prior to the show. The planetarium is closed on Mondays.

Best Time To Visit Teen Murti Bhavan (Nehru House) and Nehru Planetarium

Winter months from October - March is the best to visit this destination.

How To Reach Teen Murti Bhavan (Nehru House) and Nehru Planetarium

Race Course is the nearest Metro station and the most convenient way to reach this destination as the roads here can get quite congested. Teen Murti and P.S. Chankya Puri are the nearest bus stations from where you can take local transport such as auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws to Teen Murti Bhawan. You can easily hail cabs to this destination as well.