One can visit The Nehru Planetarium of New Delhi, located on the lush green grounds of the Teen Murti House. The Nehru Planetarium was built in memory of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. The grounds where it lies are one of great historical significance since it was the residence of the last Prime Minister himself. 

The Planetarium is brimming with information related to space and cosmology. They are present in the museum in the form of splendid sound and visuals, making one feel almost at one with the stars. The Nehru Planetarium holds regular interactive sessions, art competitions, and stellar space equipment on display, making this place a massive hub of tourists. 

About the Nehru Planetarium 

Officially known as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, the former Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indra Gandhi inaugurated it in 1984. They created it to promote science and astronomy in India, of which Chacha Nehru himself was a staunch supporter. 

The Nehru Planetarium is comes with state-of-the-art telescopes, solar filters, and projectors that allow you to see nearly 2 million stars and plunge into the vast expanse of space. 

Two Popular Attractions Include: 

The dome Sky Theater and the Soyuz T-10 capsule – sent India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, into space. As such, the Planetarium receives nearly two million visitors each year who wish to see beyond the Earth. 

History of the Nehru Planetarium 

The Nehru Planetarium is a set of five planetariums in major Indian cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, and Prayagraj. 

The Jawahar Lal Nehru Foundation, founded in 1964 to promote the ideas of our beloved leader, created this masterpiece.  

Architecture 

Covering 30 acres, this impressive structure is carved out of white stone and stucco to give it a unique look. 

It faces south of Rashtrapati Bhavan. After independence, it was converted into the private residence of Jawahar Lal Nehru and remained so for the next 16 years. After his death, it was turned into a monument in his honor.

Interesting Facts about The Planetarium  

1. This museum is housed in a colonial building that served as Nehru’s residence for many years. The Celestial Theater at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Planetarium is very popular and attracts over 200,000 visitors a year. 
2. The Nehru Planetarium entertains both children and adults: a night sky show in Hindi and English. 
3. The Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Foundation was established to promote his ideas and oversaw the construction of the Nehru Planetarium, whose purpose was to promote astronomy education. 
4. In 2022, the planetarium held the Human Spacelight Expo, which was attended by space enthusiasts from around the country.

More About Delhi’s Nehru Planetarium 

You will be amazed by the overall atmosphere here. Surrounded by lush greenery, the Nehru Planetarium is for those who want to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, you should know that the place is in the very center of the city. The Nehru Planetarium offers a glimpse of his journey and mission log and space suit. Delhi’s Nehru Planetarium was closed, with repairs costing around Rs 11 crore. 

What future astronauts are looking forward to at Delhi’s Nehru Planetarium is Definiti’s “Megastar” optical star projector. You can view up to 2 million stars at the same time with the device. Delhi’s Nehru Planetarium is planning to have solar filters, telescopes, projection boxes, and more. It’s good to visit places like this once in a while because places like these not only take us to other worlds through scientific understanding but also provide information about the world above us. 

Things to Do

1. Attend live performances and programs: The Nehru Planetarium hosts many live performances and workshops for tourists. The experts update the program regularly. The updation is indispensable for disseminating information about astronomy to a wide audience. 
2. Cheongsan Theatre: This is a dome-shaped theatre that reproduces the sky as we see it. It is an iconic attraction that hosts many light and sound entertainment shows that give visitors a glimpse into the world of astronomy. 
3. Exhibition Hall: Planetarium Exhibition Hall has many paintings, historical images of celestial bodies, and small things about the universe. Capture valuable information about an astronaut’s exciting space journey and compress it into a variety of visual effects. 
4. Definiti Optical Star Projector: Updated in 2010, this hybrid projector puts the Nehru Planetarium on par with the world’s most advanced projectors. The projector allows visitors to see planets, constellations, asteroids, and other celestial bodies in crystal clear clarity. 

Services Provided by Nehru Planetarium 

• The Planetarium grounds, including the hall and theatre, equip air-condition. 
• There are a sufficient number of washrooms throughout the territory. There is a separate washroom for disabled people. 
• Clean drinking water is available everywhere. 
• The planetarium is wheelchair accessible, but you must bring your own. 
• There is a shop and restaurant on the planetarium’s rooftop. 

Precautions While Visiting 

1. Since the COVID outbreak, the place is confined with strict protocols which the visitors need to adhere to. Workers regularly disinfect the field and take note of the spectator’s temperatures.
2. Visitors need to purchase a ticket for each individual who is 4 years of age or older. The Nehru Planetarium entry fee is Rs. 50 for the adults and Rs. 30 for the children. The School student’s entry fee is Rs 20 per student. 
3. The Planetarium strictly prohibits eating and video recording in any form. 
4. Hoards of tourists visit the planetarium on weekends, so avoid crowds by visiting on weekdays. 

Show Schedule and Tickets

• The Planetarium is open Tuesday through Sunday. The facility is closed on Mondays and public holidays. 
• The planetarium is open from 9:00 to 17:00
• Displayed in English: 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM
• Displayed in Hindi: 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM

How to get to Nehru Planetarium 

Delhi has an excellent public transport network. You can take DTC bus 604, 615, 680, or 720 to the Teen Murti Bhavan. Get off at Race Course Road Station or Udyog Bhawan MRT Station. You can also take the subway for quick travel within 2 KM of your destination. 

Conclusion 

The Nehru Planetarium of Delhi is a very beautiful place with lots of information about space and astronomy. The planetarium has undergone various changes to ensure that visitors can visit without problems. It is a man-made wonder, just like the National Rail Museum of Delhi. So visit this place to get essential insights into space and astronomy for an out-of-the-world trip!