Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is situated in Pune city which is one of the district places of Maharashtra State.

It is a museum of collections of Dr Dinkar Kelkar. The collections in this museum are fascinating as they belong to various periods displaying antiquities from sculptures to instruments of varied kinds. 

Districts/Region

Pune district, Maharashtra, India.Pune district, Maharashtra, India.

History

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is unique as its the largest collection of distinct kinds belonging to a single person. It is quite an enchanting result of the hard work of a person named Dr Dinkar Kelkar. This museum compels us to travel back in time. 
Dr Dinkar Kelkar was a person who was passionate about travelling and collecting the best of Indian Folk Art and Craftsmanship. We can note a number of artefacts of the museum including different kinds of embroidered textiles, sculptures, copper wares, instruments, lamps and even the swords of the Peshwas who were once the rulers of India. 
This museum explores the Mastani Mahal which is the palace of Mastani Bai who was the second wife of Bajirao Peshwa I. This place is the centre of attraction for the tourists. This palace was constructed around 300 years ago and was found in ruins with a few intact remains of a businessman who had brought this land.  He called up Dr Kelkar and thereafter the palace was cautiously reassembled and transformed into the museum which we can see now.  
In the displays, one may find a gallery of lamps, instruments in which a veena is made out of ostrich eggs, sitars shaped like peacocks, a veena in the form of a crocodile, a captivating statue of the apsara Meenakshi, textiles, armour, clothes and a lot more! 
The museum includes 42 different sections and a 3 floored building. Overall, this place is a must-visit place in the city of Pune. 
 

Geography

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is in Pune city, a district place of Maharashtra State. Pune city is elevated 1837 ft. above sea level in the surroundings of picturesque Sahyadri mountain ranges. 

Weather/Climate

The region has a hot-semi arid climate year-round with an average temperature from 19-33 degrees Celsius.
April and May are the hottest months when the temperature reaches up to 42 degrees Celsius.
Winters are extreme, and the temperature can go as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night, the average daytime temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius.
The annual rainfall in the region is around 763 mm.
 

Things to do

There are many tourist places to visit such as,
1.    Shaniwar Wada (1.1 KM)
2.    Vishrambaug Wada (0.35 KM)
3.    Kesari Wada (1.1 KM)
4.    Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Temple      (0.95 KM)
5.    Tulshibaug (0.55 KM)
6.    Parvati Hill (2.9 KM)
7.    Aga Khan Palace (11 KM)
8.    Sinhagad Fort (36 KM)

Special food speciality and hotel

Pune is well known for its misal and Maharashtrian cuisine, however all types of cuisines are found in this city.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

●    There are various accommodation facilities available as per one’s budget.
●    The closest Police station is Balgandharv Police Station. (2.1 KM)
●    The closest Multi-speciality hospital is Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. (3.7 KM)

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

●    The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
●    Rs. 20.00 for children below 12 years
●    Rs. 80.00 for Adults above 12 years
●    Rs. 250.00 for Foreigners (Adult)
●    Rs. 100.00 for Foreigners (Children)
●    Museum entry is free for Blind and Differently Abled/ Physically Challenged Visitors.
●    Please do not touch artefacts on display.
 

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi, Marathi.