Bengal Natural History Museum
Bengal Natural History Museum
Bengal Natural History Museum
3.5
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3.5
44 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
16
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
2
KaushikSinha
Kolkata (Calcutta), India10 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Not many people venture there. But it is a short walk from the Chowrasta Mall. It is an unique museum. Only having the stuffed animals for display. Never did I ever imagine that there could be so many different types of butterflies, moths, beetles and other arthopods.
The basement floor is even better. The flora and fauna of Bengal is shown wonderfully here.
But again, everyone will not find it to their taste. However, I will recommend a visit to know our friends in the wild.
The basement floor is even better. The flora and fauna of Bengal is shown wonderfully here.
But again, everyone will not find it to their taste. However, I will recommend a visit to know our friends in the wild.
Written 17 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rimstravels
Pune, India255 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Though this museum is not maintained in it's best condition but you will really find some nice collection here. Collection of flies and beetles is real good. Anyone with a interest in zoology can be really interested in this place. Not many people end up here and we were the only one here.
Written 15 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoyCh_S
Kolkata (Calcutta), India142 contributions
Sept 2012 • Family
This is a small but well organized museum concentrating mainly on fauna of the state of West Bengal. It is very old establishment, conceived in 1903. So there is a bit of history associated with it. Almost all the specimens are preserved using Taxidermy, so the color of the outer is off, still the specimen are quite recognizable. The collection of Moth, Butterflies are great, but I found the collection of Beetle specimen, the best. The collection was recovered from a Japanese National in 1995 who was trying to flee India with those specimen. That being illegal, the Japanese national was prosecuted under Indian Law and the collection confiscated.
The basement has a model of different types of forest available in the State of West Bengal and the corresponding bird species. Different types of snake specimen can also be found in this floor, preserved harmlessly in formalin jar.
To reach this place, there is no use of hiring a car, just have a 5 mins walk from chowrasta (the Mall) with the fountain at your back and taking the left most road down and then taking a right turn. Just ask any local person who would be hapy to guide.
The basement has a model of different types of forest available in the State of West Bengal and the corresponding bird species. Different types of snake specimen can also be found in this floor, preserved harmlessly in formalin jar.
To reach this place, there is no use of hiring a car, just have a 5 mins walk from chowrasta (the Mall) with the fountain at your back and taking the left most road down and then taking a right turn. Just ask any local person who would be hapy to guide.
Written 29 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MotoShirish
Mumbai, India71 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Firstly, it is difficult to find. And at times even locals are not certain about it's location.
The contents inside is very good for nature enthusiasts and kids with all the local birds and animals along with life-like models of geographical diversity of Bengal. But the place run by government machinery is in such neglect and disrepair, it turns you off. There is dust collecting on specimen, its badly lit, badly labelled and smells damp.
Visit the Zoo instead. That may be crowded but very well-kept!
The contents inside is very good for nature enthusiasts and kids with all the local birds and animals along with life-like models of geographical diversity of Bengal. But the place run by government machinery is in such neglect and disrepair, it turns you off. There is dust collecting on specimen, its badly lit, badly labelled and smells damp.
Visit the Zoo instead. That may be crowded but very well-kept!
Written 23 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir
I am sorry for your experience.
The proposal to shift the museum from its present location to a newly built premises inside the zoo is in process.May be by this year end same exhibits shall be in presentable form in its new location, where many people visiting the zoo shall be able to see it.
Regards
Written 24 July 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dr Anshuman Das
Kurseong, India, Asia1,823 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Seriously this place is for passing time in Darjeeling. A collection of stuffed animals ( may appeal to taxidermists) and flora...the collection is not extensive nor is it exhaustive.
Written 1 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajivglobaltraveller
New Delhi, India375 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
A testament to the indigenous flora and fauna of the region, the Bengal Natural History Museum is a fascinating plethora of more than 4000 specimens being exhibited. Located in the heart of Darjeeling at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, this museum was originally started as a small building in the Botanical Garden meant to showcase the varieties of butterflies and birds of the hills. Today, one can find preserved remains of the bird species, reptiles, insects, fishes, and mammals displayed in a replication of their natural habitats. An attractive display of the various minerals of the region is present here as well.
There are two sections at the museum, one at the ground level and the other in the basement. This comprehensive collection of animals includes rare specimens such as the Himalayan Brown Wood Owl, Northern spotted owlet, Northern Brown Fish Owl, pelicans, pheasants, Tibetan fox, Tibetan Lynx, Toddy cat, panthers, leopards, tigers, and the Estuarine crocodile, representative of the native wildlife of the Eastern Himalayas. There is also a large collection of birds' nests and eggs. A specialised taxidermy unit is present at the museum to oversee the curing, stuffing and preparation of the birds and animals to be displayed as exhibits.
The insects' exhibit has a wide assortment of butterflies, moths, dragonflies and beetles. The museum also has a small library where one might find many interesting books, including the 125 volume series titled 'The fauna of British India'.
There are two sections at the museum, one at the ground level and the other in the basement. This comprehensive collection of animals includes rare specimens such as the Himalayan Brown Wood Owl, Northern spotted owlet, Northern Brown Fish Owl, pelicans, pheasants, Tibetan fox, Tibetan Lynx, Toddy cat, panthers, leopards, tigers, and the Estuarine crocodile, representative of the native wildlife of the Eastern Himalayas. There is also a large collection of birds' nests and eggs. A specialised taxidermy unit is present at the museum to oversee the curing, stuffing and preparation of the birds and animals to be displayed as exhibits.
The insects' exhibit has a wide assortment of butterflies, moths, dragonflies and beetles. The museum also has a small library where one might find many interesting books, including the 125 volume series titled 'The fauna of British India'.
Written 19 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abhay Mehta
Udaipur, India233 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Situated inside the famous zoo. Good collection of fauna of the region and their habitat. It is worth visiting.
Written 29 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angon B
Kolkata (Calcutta), India73 contributions
Jul 2016
It has a great collection and a lot to learn, but the upkeep is bad and that makes the displays unattractive. In the age of modernisation, the museum has miles to go and being located centrally in Darjeeling I guess investment on it would be worth every penny.
Written 2 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShrDs
Visakhapatnam, India29 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Who this is for: Student mindsets, knowledge of specimen preservation and dioramas
Not for: the squeamish who fear taxidermy, ignorant non naturalists, and new fangled activists
A taxidermal display of living, endangerd and extinct animals/birds. A fascinating collection of the creatures of the exotic locale. Taxidermy in todays age is perhaps inapropriate. I will visit this time and time again - a valuable knowledge mine. A wonderful vintage relic, untouched by blech globalisation.
We came upon the museum accidentaly as it is within a gulley and not visible from the main road.
While I am impressed at the commitment to maintenance, the cleanliness of the place, I am saddened at the accumulation of dust on these wonderful specimens.
Not for: the squeamish who fear taxidermy, ignorant non naturalists, and new fangled activists
A taxidermal display of living, endangerd and extinct animals/birds. A fascinating collection of the creatures of the exotic locale. Taxidermy in todays age is perhaps inapropriate. I will visit this time and time again - a valuable knowledge mine. A wonderful vintage relic, untouched by blech globalisation.
We came upon the museum accidentaly as it is within a gulley and not visible from the main road.
While I am impressed at the commitment to maintenance, the cleanliness of the place, I am saddened at the accumulation of dust on these wonderful specimens.
Written 12 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trinity101
London, UK12 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
This reminded me of the natural history museum in Tring, england. Only on a much smaller much more more moth eaten scale.
The exhibits look like they have been there with no care or attention since the place opened in early 1900's. Went there because we were told it was the worst museum ever! -It prob is.
The approach to it is amongst a few private rundown dwellings, and the road looks like the surface of the moon.
Only go there to see the worst museum, or if there is really no where else you can think of going to.
The exhibits look like they have been there with no care or attention since the place opened in early 1900's. Went there because we were told it was the worst museum ever! -It prob is.
The approach to it is amongst a few private rundown dwellings, and the road looks like the surface of the moon.
Only go there to see the worst museum, or if there is really no where else you can think of going to.
Written 5 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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