Patna: The Bihar Museum in Patna has secured ninth place on a list of the world’s 100 best museums for 2026, according to travel guide Worth a Journey. The museum is the only Indian institution featured on the list and the only Asian museum in the top 10, as stated in the supplied report.
The ranking places the Bihar Museum ahead of several internationally known institutions, including the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The list recognises museums across different countries for their cultural and historical significance.
Museums From Mexico, Spain And Denmark Lead The List
Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Antropología occupies the top position, followed by the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, ranks third, while the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria, complete the top five.
The Bihar Museum’s position brings attention to the state’s historical collections and its role in presenting Indian art and heritage to international visitors.
Museum Opened In 2015
Located on Bailey Road in Patna, the Bihar Museum was inaugurated in 2015. It was developed to provide a dedicated space for showcasing historical artefacts and complement the collections of the older Patna Museum.
The building was designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, a Pritzker Prize laureate, in collaboration with Mumbai-based Opolis Architects.
Its collections include sculptures, coins, manuscripts, historical objects and folk art. The galleries cover different periods of Indian history, including the Mauryan, Mughal and Sur dynasties, with the museum’s historical scope extending to 1764.
Didarganj Yakshi Among Key Attractions
One of the museum’s best-known exhibits is the Didarganj Yakshi, a celebrated sculpture associated with the Mauryan period. Discovered near Patna in 1917, the statue is a prominent example of ancient Indian sculpture.
The museum also has a dedicated children’s gallery featuring exhibits related to animals, folk art, culture and science. The space is intended to introduce younger visitors to these subjects through engaging displays.
Diaspora Gallery Explores Bihar’s Global Links
The Diaspora Gallery examines Bihar’s connections with communities and regions beyond the state’s geographical boundaries. It highlights the movement of people and the wider social and historical experiences that have shaped Bihar’s cultural identity.
Together, the museum’s historical collections, architectural design and specialised galleries offer visitors an overview of Bihar’s heritage and its links with broader cultural traditions.
The reported ninth-place ranking for 2026 adds to the Bihar Museum’s international profile and places Patna on the global museum and cultural tourism map.
