Things to Do in National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai: A Guide from Thane

The National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai is the Fort museum at Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall.

NGMA Mumbai opened to the public on 23 December 1996. Its home has an earlier history: British architect George Wittet designed and built Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall in 1911. Architect Romi Khosla later redesigned the building while retaining its facade.

The gallery displays Indian modern and contemporary art. Its collection includes works by Progressive Artists’ Group artists K. H. Ara, F. N. Souza, V. S. Gaitonde, S. H. Raza and M. F. Husain. If you’re choosing a museum-focused outing, the building’s history and the modern-art collection make this a clear destination in Fort.

Rail and a taxi from a central Mumbai station are practical elements to consider for a trip from Thane to the gallery.

Thane has regular train services, and rail is a convenient mode of transport. For the final leg, NGMA advises taking a taxi from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST, Central Railway) or Churchgate (Western Railway). Arrange the rail journey to Mumbai separately. From a room at Hotel Shambuji, you can begin with the local connection to rail.

BEST bus routes 14, 69, 101 and 130 serve CST, while routes 70, 106, 122, 123, 132 and 137 serve Churchgate. These route details may change, so check the official site before you go.

If your journey starts at Mumbai airport, allow time to plan the connection to Thane.

The gallery advises taxis from either station, and BEST bus routes connect both stations with the area. If you’re continuing by rail to Thane, allow time to get from Fort to your chosen station; the Thane transit and local transport guide can help you plan local connections.

The gallery does not give a journey duration for that leg. Check your onward transport details before setting out, particularly if you plan to travel by bus.

NGMA Mumbai is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and closed on Mondays and national holidays.

Admission costs ₹20 for Indian visitors and ₹500 for foreign visitors. Students and children through class 12 enter free with an ID card. Hours and ticket details can change, so check the gallery’s official site before you go.

Check the exhibitions page for what is on display during your planned visit. The gallery has an auditorium used for film screenings and outreach events, including workshops, guided gallery walks, talks and cultural programmes. Check the gallery’s own information for details of any programme you’re considering.

Expect to see Indian modern and contemporary art, with visitor rules that affect what you can bring inside.

Baggage must be scanned and deposited in lockers outside the gallery. Water bottles and eatables are not allowed inside. Small handbags are allowed for women; keep valuables and money with you in a small wallet or pouch.

These rules are useful to know before you arrive, especially if you’re coming into Fort with a bag. The collection includes works by the Progressive Artists’ Group artists named above, while the auditorium’s film screenings and cultural programmes offer another part of the gallery’s activity.

Choose your return connection from central Mumbai before leaving the gallery, using CST or Churchgate as the rail points identified by NGMA.

The gallery advises taxis from either station, and BEST bus routes connect both stations with the area. If you’re continuing by rail to Thane, allow time to get from Fort to your chosen station; the gallery does not give a journey duration for that leg.

Check your onward transport details before setting out, particularly if you plan to travel by bus.