Dolls Museum in Jaipur: Puppets & dolls from around the world

The Doll Museum in Jaipur, also known as Gudiya Ghar, can be a great place to escape the heat of India’s Pink City. With dolls and puppets from all over the world and different time periods, the collection here can be awe-inspiring. Whether you are a lover of dolls or just curious about the culture and heritage of dolls from Rajasthan, a visit will put a smile on your face.

Although the collection is not up-to-date, a collective group of individuals has been working to improve the collection. However, even now, the collection is still noteworthy and a great place to visit. In this blog, I talk about everything you need to know about the Doll Museum and why it is still one of the best museums in Jaipur!

Quick Information about the Dolls Museum in Jaipur:

Below is brief information about the museum, including price, operating hours, location, and visit duration.

• Fee: 20 Per Person for Indians and 100 Per Person for Foreigners
• Visiting Time: Open six days a week from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and closed on Tuesdays.
• Visit Duration: 1 hour
• Dolls on Display: Approximately 1,000
• Museum address: WR28+4VQ, Trimurty Circle, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, Near Trimuriti Circle, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004

The Dolls Museum in Jaipur – A wonderland for Puppet lovers

Finally, the museum is significant to the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Whereas, the museum holds a prominent place for those seeking to immerse themselves in the captivating world of “kathputlis” – traditional Rajasthani dolls. As a result, this museum is a cherished attraction for residents and international tourists alike, showcasing the rich tapestry of cultural expressions through its meticulously adorned dolls donning traditional costumes from their respective regions of origin.

About the International Dolls on Display

Whereas, the Gudiya Ghar also houses dolls from different corners of the world, such as Germany, Malaysia, America, Mexico, Britain, Afghanistan, Sweden, and beyond. A newly introduced gallery showcases dolls inspired by beloved superheroes and cartoon characters, catering to the interests of children. Furthermore, the museum boasts a recently unveiled English Puppet gallery featuring two inches-tall dolls enchanting visitors with their miniature charm.

Visitors will encounter a vast array of toys and dolls representing thousands of distinct varieties within the museum. This unique repository brings together the cultural diversity of the entire world, offering a vivid tapestry of customs and traditions from various parts of India.

The Exhibits at the Dolls Museum:

The museum originally held around 300 dolls and puppets. However, thanks to the efforts of a collective group, the number has increased to about 1,000 different dolls. Some of the exhibits include the following puppets and dolls.

How to Reach the Doll Museum?

The museum is located just four km away from the center of the city. You can board public buses from any part of the city to the Ram Niwas Bagh bus stop or the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg bus stop. From the bus stop, you can walk to the museum. 

You can, of course, find cabs and autos from various parts of the city to the museum. If you are good at bartering, this will be the best way to go! However, if you need something easier and quicker, go with Uber Auto and make your life easy!

Also, the museum is close to the Albert Hall Museum, so that you can hit up both in one day! Or you can visit the Moti Dungri Temple and Fort if you want to get outside and explore as well!

Best Time to Visit Doll Museum:

The best time to visit the museum is in the morning when it is less crowded. Additionally, it is generally best to see it and Jaipur during the winter months – November to March.

We went on a Saturday and were the only ones at the museum. They actually opened it up for us, granted we went there at 9:00 am.

How much is the entry fee for the Dolls Museum in Jaipur?

The entry fee for the Dolls Museum is INR 20 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners. The museum also offers tickets for children under 12, which are INR 5, and tickets for students at INR 10.

History of the Doll Museum in Jaipur:

The Dolls Museum was established in 1974 through the efforts of Shrimati Bhagwan Bai Gauridutt Sekhsaria Charitable Trust. However, unfortunately, over the years, the museum fell into neglect, and the dolls deteriorated.

Luckily, in 2014, a dedicated group of individuals restored the museum. They collaborated with art conservator Rashmi Sharma to refurbish the dolls. Shivani Sethia from London and Rotary Club from Japan also generously contributed English puppets and Japanese dolls to the museum.

The doll collection within the museum’s five exhibitions represents approximately 40 different countries. Recently a new section was added to the museum, named Savita Ranjit Singh Bhandari, to pay tribute to Bhandari’s parents.

The museum proudly displays Indian state dolls adorned in distinctive attire reflecting wedding wear, everyday clothing, and traditional dance costumes. The traditional doll collection from Japan, predominantly crafted from wood, includes Kokeshi dolls, Namahage dolls, Kamakura dolls, Kanto Matsuri dolls, and Tanabata dolls. Visitors can also admire dolls made from paper and whale teeth, showcasing Japan’s unique craftsmanship.

The Doll Museum has had a rough history; however, with the new management, a new life has been breathed into its exhibits. As one of the most interesting places to visit in Jaipur, the museum does a great job of showcasing the history and culture of the region in a fun and unique way.

Our honest opinion about the Doll Museum:

The museum was a little bit underwhelming. It is small in size and only has two show rooms. In total there are around 1,000 dolls, puppets, toys and action figures to see. We spent about an hour going through everything there – we did make a video and take a lot of pictures so that could be why it took us so long. Honestly, you can see everything in about thirty minutes.

The museum is decent. If you really like dolls and puppets, this is probably a good place to visit because of the cultural and traditional dolls on display which were fascinating to see. Also it is a cheap visit at INR 100 for foreigners, and the money goes to supporting the school. Plus, it is down the street from Albert Hall Museum, so you can see both one after another.

However, if dolls are not your thing, you can probably give the museum a pass. Especially if you are short on time, and don’t have the luxury of living in Jaipur for a longer time like I do.

The Unique and Interesting Doll Museum in Jaipur:

Whether you love puppets, dolls, and figurines or are just a history buff, the Doll Museum in Jaipur will have something for you. Personally, I don’t have a huge interest in puppets, but the exhibits that were on display were still captivating and interesting to see!

The Gudiya Ghar is centrally located and close to other tourist attractions in Jaipur, so it is worth the visit. Plus, as the museum is on the smaller side, you can quickly move through the exhibits and see everything it offers in around an hour!

Overall, I enjoyed visiting the Doll Museum in Jaipur and recommend it to anyone with a little extra time while visiting the city!

FAQs: Doll Museum in Jaipur

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Doll Museum in Jaipur, Rajasthan.