One of the weirdest museums, Sulabh International Museum of Toilets has made to the list of top 10 museums in the world that are strange and unique in their own ways. Located in Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi, this museum was established in 1992 by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak who started the Sulabh sanitation movement in the country as there are still many villages in India where this concept is yet to be introduced.
Dedicated to the global history of sanitation and toilets, this museum takes you on an interesting tour to the evolution of toilets. This unique museum is a must-visit place in Delhi where you get an opportunity to discover some historic toilet secrets along with some unusual toilets. Strange but interesting, it will be a unique learning experience for the visitors to know about India’s sanitation issues.
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets | Timings, Ticket Price & Contact Number
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets can be visited during the winter as the weather remains pleasant in Delhi during this time. However, if you are looking for timing details, the museum opens at 8 am in the morning and closes at 8 pm in the evening. On Sundays and national holidays, the museum stays open from 10 am till 5 pm. You can visit this museum for free as there is no entry ticket. For any queries related to the museum, you can contact them at this number: 011-2505 3646.
History of Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is an initiative by the famous social activist, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak to address and fix the sanitation issues of the country. Winner of many national and international awards along with Stockholm Water Prize in 2009, he is a social reformer and the founder of Sulabh International who began the sanitation movement in India.
He inaugurated this unique museum in Delhi in 1992 with an aim to spread awareness about healthy sanitation practices.
Dedicated to the history of sanitation, the museum displays the evolution of toilets from 3000 BC to the 20th century. It is a great place that sheds light on toilet etiquettes that were prevalent in the past centuries. Apart from that, the focus of the museum is to bring forth the healthy sanitary practices, the technology used, and the customs followed by our ancestors. This unique museum even made it to the list of The Time Magazine's 10 Museums Around the World that are Anything but Mundane.
Major Attractions of Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
This museum is dedicated to toilets and comprises toilet seats and things related to it from 50 countries across the globe. The Sulabh museum displays some unique bidets, toilet furniture, Victorian toilet seats, chamber pots, and more from the bygone era that are top attractions of the museum as well.
1. Toilet-Related Technology
The museum introduces toilet technology used in different periods of human history. So one can look at the global history of sanitation and toilets in this museum.
2. Replica of the Throne of French King Louis XIV
It is designed as a copy of the throne of the French king. The main motive is to offer information about the design, raw materials, and technology.
3. A Toilet in the Shape of a Leather Chair
A toilet designed in the shape of a leather chair is quite interesting as it was used earlier by a European Nobilis.
4. Chinese Basket Toilet
Chinese basket toilets can be seen at the International Museum of Toilets. The prime motive of this kind of toilet is to encourage the development of toilet-related technology.
5. Solar Toilets Gallery
The museum has some very interesting and unique toilets on display. One will be amazed to see their construction and features. Apart from these unusual pieces, there is a solar toilet gallery that is a must-visit as it features some toilets that operate on solar energy.
6. Museum Photo Gallery
Visitors may click the photos of these unusual toilets that belong to an era as old as 2,500 BC and as new as from the 21st century.
How To Reach Sulabh International Museum Of Toilets, Delhi
To discover SIMT, you will have to visit Delhi which is a very interesting Indian destination that is home to many fascinating places. The capital city is easy to reach as it is well connected to Indian and International destinations through various means of transportation. Check out!
- Nearest Airbase. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
- Nearest Railhead. New Delhi Railway Station
- Nearest Metro Station. Dashrath Puri Metro Station
By Air
The capital city of India is very well connected with all major cities in the world by well-maintained air routes. The primary airport serving Delhi is the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) which is also the busiest airport in India. After deboarding at IGI, you can easily take a cab or auto to reach the Sulabh Bhawan located at Palam Dabri Road, Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi.
- Distance from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). 9 km via Dwarka Rd
Popular Domestic Flights to Delhi
By Train
You can conveniently plan a trip to Delhi via train. You can opt for New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminal and Nizamuddin Railway Station depending upon the train services. After deboarding, you can cover the onward distance to Sulabh Bhawan by cab, auto, metro or bus.
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Distance from New Delhi Railway Station. 21.2 km via Dwarka Rd
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Distance from Old Delhi Station. 22.3 km via Vandemataram Marg
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Distance from Nizamuddin Railway Station. 22.3 km via Cariappa Marg
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Distance from Anand Vihar Terminal. 34.3 km via Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Setu
By Metro
Dashrath Puri Metro Station is the nearest to Sulabh International Museum of Toilets. This metro operates on the Magenta line. After getting out from the metro station, you can either walk down or take a cab or auto according to your convenience.
- Distance from Dashrath Puri Metro Station. 700 m
By Road
Delhi is quite well connected with other Indian cities via its well-maintained road networks. Depending upon your location, you can also consider traveling here by either your own vehicle or a bus, You can also consider taking a cab or metro. Here is how you can reach Delhi via the following routes.
- Distance from Kanpur. 495 km via NH19
- Distance from Agra. 231 km via Taj Express Highway or Yamuna Expressway
- Distance from Jaipur. 273 km via NH48
- Distance from Udaipur. 662 KM via NH58 or NH48
- Distance from Ludhiana. 309 km via NH44
- Distance from Kota. 518 km via NH52 or NH48
- Distance from Lucknow. 553 km via Agra-Lucknow Expressway
- Distance from Amritsar. 450 km via NH44 or NH52
- Distance from Ajmer. 401 km via NH48
- Distance from Mumbai. 1427 km
- Distance from Kolkata. 1516 km
- Distance from Hyderabad. 1580 km
- Distance from Bengaluru. 2171 km
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
Q. Who is the owner of Sulabh International?
A. Dr Bindeshwar Pathak is the founder of Sulabh International who has made relentless contributions in promoting human rights, spreading awareness about environmental sanitation, non-conventional sources of energy and waste management.
Q. Do you need to book in advance to visit Sulabh International Museum of Toilets?
A. No prior booking is required as there is a free entry to the museum.
Q. How many toilet blocks have been provided by Sulabh?
A. Over the span of three decades, Sulabh has successfully constructed more than 7,500 public toilet blocks and 1.2 million private toilets. The organisation has been able to provide sanitation to 10 million people so far.
Q. Where is the Sulabh International Toilet Museum?
A. The toilet museum is located at Palam - Dabri Marg, Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi.
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