Gandhinagar: The Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum, the first of its kind, was opened to the public on February 1, 2025. Since then, it has welcomed about 32,000 visitors in under 75 days, setting a significant benchmark in cultural tourism.

Located in Vadnagar, the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this ₹298 crore museum was inaugurated on January 16, 2025, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Spread across 12,500 square meters, it is the country’s first archaeological experiential museum to integrate a live excavation site with immersive, digital, and physical storytelling formats.

The museum offers a deep dive into Vadnagar’s 2,500-year-old legacy, blending art, architecture, trade, urban planning, and governance. The site, once known as Anartapur, Anandpur, Chamatkarpur, Skandpur, and Nagarka was a bustling centre on ancient trade routes where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam coexisted over centuries. The cultural and historical significance of Vadnagar is further reflected through mentions in the Jain scripture Kalpasutra and records by Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century. Through nine thematic galleries, visitors can witness Vadnagar’s journey across time—its rise as a knowledge hub, its contribution to architectural traditions, and its societal fabric shaped by multi-faith harmony.

What Makes This Museum Truly Unique?

A standout feature of the museum is its seamless connection to an actual excavation site spanning 4,000 square meters, where archaeological remains are visible at depths of 16 to 18 meters. Visitors walk across a specially constructed bridge to view the site and explore an experiential walkway shed that allows observation of ongoing excavation activities in real time. The museum houses more than 5,000 artefacts—ceramics, coins, ornaments, tools, sculptures, shell products, and organic remains such as skeletal fragments and food grains—each unearthed from this very site and thoughtfully displayed through interactive installations and digital exhibits.

Vadnagar’s Archaeological Experiential Museum has drawn a diverse and inclusive audience. Of the 32,000 visitors so far, approximately 28% include students and international tourists. More than half the visitors are adults and children from across India, while the rest comprise senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and exempt categories, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to accessibility for all. This visitor profile highlights the museum’s broad appeal across age groups, cultures, and backgrounds, transforming it into a vibrant centre of learning and engagement for families, students, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts alike.

The launch of this museum in Vadnagar aligns seamlessly with the spirit of International Heritage Day, drawing global attention to India’s rich archaeological and cultural fabric. By bringing together technology, heritage, and education in an immersive format, the museum encourages present and future generations to connect with the past. DeshGujarat