13 Best Museums In Pune Featuring Comics, Cricket & Miniature Railways

Pocket-sized steam engines, flyovers, swimming pools, lampposts, and even a tiny circus — Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways is a delightful experience. Established in 1998 and tucked away in Kothrud, it was the first miniature railway museum in India and earned a mention in the Limca Book of Records in 2004 as the only museum in the country housing scale models of locomotives and railway systems from around the world. Created by B.S. Joshi, the museum features 65 handcrafted elements, including signals, fences, lampposts, and flyovers, all connected to a control console by 1,000 cables spanning a total of five kilometres. If you're a train enthusiast, you must visit Joshi's Museum of Miniature Railways.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entry: INR 120

Google Rating: 4.1/5

Social Handle: @joshi_rail_museum

LBB Tip: You can purchase tickets online through this link.

Established in the year 1998, it is based in the cantonment area, on Prince of Wales Drive road, and primarily highlights the history and accomplishments of the Southern Command of the Indian Army. Apart from the major attraction of MIG 23 BN Jet Fighter, which was used during the Kargil war, this place is dedicated to the brave soldiers and martyrs who gave their lives for the protection of this country and the freedom of their motherland. Each soldier’s detailed story can be found in this museum. The stone plaques constructed, each rising up to about eight feet, have around 1200 names inscribed on them. 

Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM

Entry: Free

Google Rating: 4.8/5

Social Handle: Facebook

Established in 1939, the museum showcases an impressive collection of weapons and historical archives from the Maratha period, spanning the late 1700s to the early 1800s. Located within the Deccan College, this museum is a haven for history enthusiasts eager to deepen their understanding of the glorious Maratha Empire. In 1958, the ruler of Jamkhandi donated his entire personal collection to the museum. Today, it features 120 cloth bundles, weaponry from the Maratha wars, rare books, paintings, microfilms, palm-leaf manuscripts, and more, offering a vivid journey through Maratha history. In addition, the museum holds over 200 original manuscripts in Marathi, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and English.

Timings: 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry: INR 30

Google Rating: 4.3/5

LBB Tip: To know more, you can visit the website of Deccan College.

Opened in 2016 on the premises of the Erandwane Fire Station, the Erandwane Fire Museum — also known as the Keshavrao Jagtap Museum — is Maharashtra’s only museum dedicated to the Fire Department. It houses a vintage Rolls-Royce Dennis fire engine, famously used during the 1961 Panshet Dam rescue operations. The wooden racks proudly display a carefully curated collection of old, weathered helmets, fire proximity suits, and lamps dating back to the early 1930s. Some of these antiques have been sourced from fire departments across the country. FYI, the museum frequently hosts workshops and awareness sessions for both school children and college students.

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

Entry: Free

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Vikram Pendse’s Cycle Museum, tucked away in a charming Karvenagar bungalow, is sure to stir up nostalgia while leaving you awestruck with its unique collection. As you wander through the museum, you’ll come across a diverse range of bicycles. The collection features over 150 collectables — from geared racing bikes and children’s bicycles to tandem bikes, cruisers, and beach cycles. The oldest piece in the collection is the 1914 all-black Golden Sunbeam Tricycle, first manufactured in England around the time of World War I.

Timings: 11 AM to 7 PM (Closed on Tuesday)

Entry: INR 100

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Social Handle: Facebook

Although not located in Pune, this unique attraction is just a two-hour drive away in Lonavala. Founded by renowned sculptor and artist Sunil Kandalloor, the wax museum offers a chance to see famous faces. From Indian legends like Subhash Chandra Bose, Anna Hazare, Amitabh Bachchan, and Shah Rukh Khan to global figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, and Bruce Lee, the museum showcases a mix of history, cinema, and pop culture. 

Timings: 9 AM to 9.30 PM

Entry: INR 200

Google Rating: 4.1/5

Social Handle: Facebook

LBB Tip: You can purchase your tickets online via this link.

This museum is a part of the Tribal Research & Training Institute (TRTI). Located in Camp, it came into existence in the year 1962. It is a museum dedicated to some of the few preserved artistic and poetic impulses of the Maharashtrian tribals through the display of rare and conserved artefacts like clothes, utensils, weapons, household articles, bamboo works, masks, and a lot more. 

Timings: 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM (Closed on Saturday & Sunday)

Entry: INR 10

Google Rating: 4.7/5

LBB Tip: For more information, you can visit the official TRTI website.

Located in Shivajinagar, right opposite the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium, the Mahatma Phule Museum was first established in 1890 as the Poona Industrial Museum. It was renamed in 1968 as the Mahatma Phule Museum. Inside, you'll find a fascinating collection of oil paintings, brassware, stone carvings, and marble statues—each piece offering a glimpse into India's rich artistic and cultural legacy. One of the highlights is their impressive library, which houses age-old scriptures and a rare collection of books that are sure to leave history buffs spellbound.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entry: INR 10

Google Rating: 4.2/5

An entire museum dedicated solely to cricket, the Blades of Glory Cricket Museum is a testament to the sport's immense popularity in India. Inspired by similar museums in England and Australia, this one-of-a-kind space is located in Govind Gaurav Apartment, Parvati Paytha, and spans an impressive 4,000 square feet, with every nook packed with cricketing treasures. From Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic bat to the first ball used in the inaugural day-night Test matches, the museum boasts an extraordinary collection. With over 75,000 items dating back to the early 1900s, this museum is a paradise for cricket lovers.

Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM

Entry: INR 200 + GST

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Social Handle: @bladesofglorymuseum

Built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the Aga Khan Palace is an architectural marvel that stands as a significant national monument tied to India's freedom struggle. It houses stories about Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, his vision for the nation, and other freedom fighters. From August 9, 1942, to May 6, 1944, several leaders of the Indian freedom movement were kept under internment at the Aga Khan Palace, including Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, his secretary Mahadevbhai Desai, and Sarojini Naidu. Mahadevbhai and Kasturba Gandhi passed away while in captivity. The palace has their samadhis. A portion of Gandhi’s ashes is also kept there

Timings: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry: INR 20

Google Rating: 4.5/5

The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum stands as a tribute to the artistic passion and vision of its founder, Dr Dinkar G Kelkar. With a remarkable collection of over 20,000 artefacts, the museum showcases a diverse range of treasures, from intricately carved wooden pieces and antique textiles to stunning sculptures and unique utensils. 

Timings: 10 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry: INR 100

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Social Handle: Facebook

A tribute to one of India’s most beloved cartoonists, the RK Laxman Museum is a Pune Municipal Corporation project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2022. Located in the Balewadi area of Pune, the museum traces the life and legacy of R.K. Laxman, beginning from his early childhood. The museum's art gallery showcases over 30,000 of Laxman’s iconic sketches — including his most famous creation, 'The Common Man.' These works are displayed in both digital and physical formats. 

Timings: 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM (Closed on Monday)

Entry: INR 50

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Social Handle: @rklaxmanmuseum

Spread across 50 acres in Pune’s Maval taluka, the Abhay Prabhavana Museum is more than just a museum — it’s a tribute to Jainism and is now the world’s biggest Jain museum. The centre takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey through Jain philosophy, blending ancient wisdom with modern technology. With over 350 specially commissioned artworks displayed in 30 high-tech galleries, the museum features everything from VR experiences to storytelling zones and digital exhibits.

Timings: 9:15 AM to 5:30 PM (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Entry: INR 200

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Social Handle: Instagram