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Who knew Patna was silently harbouring a cultural underdog? The city's Bihar Museum has earned a spot among the world's top 10 museums, beating even Paris' Louvre. According to a fresh list put out by travel guide Worth a Journey, the Bihar Museum ranked ninth among the world's 100 best museums in 2026.
It's the only museum from India and from Asia to make it to the top 10, beating even the Met in New York.
Here are other museums that occupy the top five spots: Mexico City's Museo Nacional de Antropología, Madrid's Museo del Prado, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, Saint Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum and Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum.
What's inside Bihar Museum?
Located on Bailey Road in Patna, the Bihar Museum is a treasure trove of historical artefacts, sculptures, coins, manuscripts and folk art. Its collections cover India's history from ancient times to 1764. The galleries are arranged across different historical periods, from the Mauryan era to the Mughals and the Sur dynasty.
The museum's Diaspora Gallery, for instance, explores Bihar beyond its geographical boundaries, offering a glimpse into the state's far-reaching cultural legacy. Travelling with little ones? The Children's Gallery features displays spanning animals, folk art, culture and science, giving younger visitors plenty to explore beyond the usual museum walkabout. Like this, there are separate sections for similar artefacts.
One of the whole collection's biggest draws is the Mauryan-era Didarganj Yakshi, a celebrated example of ancient Indian sculpture discovered near Patna in 1917.
What's the story behind Bihar Museum?
Inaugurated in 2015, the Bihar Museum was built to give artefacts housed at the older Patna Museum a more fitting space for display. The architecture came from Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, a Pritzker Prize winner, who designed the structure in collaboration with Mumbai-based Opolis Architects.
On the outside, the structure is quite striking, with earthy colours. The facility looks visibly new, and its galleries are packed with so much to take in that you might need more than one visit to process it all. Consider it a full-day affair.
And what's the best time to visit Patna?
Winter, hands down. Just don't expect to dip into the vast Ganga at one of Patna's sprawling ghats, such as Digha, without braving the chilly weather. If the Ganges are your prime attraction, consider a sunny month in the calendar.
More details
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays.
Address
Buddh Marg, Lodipur, Patna, Bihar 800001.
Tickets
₹15 to ₹50 for Indian adults and ₹250 for international visitors.