Anand Bhavan
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh · museum
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹50
Anand Bhavan is one of Prayagraj's most visited heritage landmarks, a graceful two-storey mansion set in leafy grounds in the Civil Lines area that served as the home of the Nehru family and, for decades, as a nerve centre of India's freedom movement. The house was built by the noted lawyer Motilal Nehru around the turn of the 1930s, after the family gifted their older residence next door — later known as Swaraj Bhavan — to the Indian National Congress. With its wide verandahs, arched windows, high ceilings and airy rooms furnished with period pieces, Anand Bhavan captures the refined, cosmopolitan world of an early-twentieth-century Indian household while telling a much larger national story.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg thali and South Indian dosa-idli restaurants in Civil Lines
- ✦Chaat, kachori-sabzi and samosa stalls around Civil Lines
- ✦Pure-veg mithai and snack shops of the old-town Katra and Loknath lanes
- ✦Fresh lassi and plain (bhang-free) thandai stalls in the city centre
About
Anand Bhavan is one of Prayagraj's most visited heritage landmarks, a graceful two-storey mansion set in leafy grounds in the Civil Lines area that served as the home of the Nehru family and, for decades, as a nerve centre of India's freedom movement.
- The house was built by the noted lawyer Motilal Nehru around the turn of the 1930s, after the family gifted their older residence next door — later known as Swaraj Bhavan — to the Indian National Congress.
- With its wide verandahs, arched windows, high ceilings and airy rooms furnished with period pieces, Anand Bhavan captures the refined, cosmopolitan world of an early-twentieth-century Indian household while telling a much larger national story.
- Today the mansion functions as a superb house-museum, maintained with its interiors largely intact.
- Visitors follow a set route through preserved rooms displaying original furniture, personal effects, books, photographs and documents connected to the family and to the leaders who gathered here during the independence struggle.
- Glass cases and wall panels trace the arc of the freedom movement in a factual, educational register, and the collection is valued as much for its archives as for its atmosphere.
- The rooms are shown behind partitions to protect the exhibits, so this is a walk-through-and-read experience rather than a hands-on one; photography rules inside are strict and are posted at the entrance.
- Within the same landscaped compound stands the Jawahar Planetarium, a separate ticketed attraction that runs scheduled sky shows and is especially popular with families and school groups.
- The gardens themselves are pleasant to stroll, and the adjacent Swaraj Bhavan can be paired into the same outing, making the precinct an easy half-day of heritage and learning.
- Allow time to read the panels; the value here is in the detail.
- The site is well signposted, centrally located and straightforward to reach from anywhere in the city.
- For food, the leafy Civil Lines district immediately around Anand Bhavan is Prayagraj's most convenient dining belt, dotted with pure-vegetarian restaurants, South Indian dosa-and-idli houses, and the city's famous chaat, kachori-sabzi and samosa stalls.
- Look for the pure-veg thali and dosa kitchens along the Civil Lines roads, sip a plain (bhang-free) thandai or fresh lassi, and finish with local sweets.
- For richer traditional fare, the pure-veg mithai and snack shops of the old-town Katra and Loknath lanes are a short drive away and reward a detour.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Anand Bhavan, Motilal Nehru Marg, Civil Lines, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211001
How to Reach: Anand Bhavan sits in Civil Lines, central Prayagraj, about 2-3 km from Prayagraj Junction railway station. It is easily reached by auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw, taxi or app cab from anywhere in the city, and is walkable from much of Civil Lines. Prayagraj is well connected by rail and by the Prayagraj (Bamrauli) airport; Swaraj Bhavan is next door and the Jawahar Planetarium is within the same compound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anand Bhavan and why is it famous?
Anand Bhavan is the former mansion of the Nehru family in Prayagraj, built by Motilal Nehru around the early 1930s. It served as an important centre of India's freedom movement and is now a museum. Its preserved period rooms, furniture, photographs and archives make it one of the city's most significant heritage sites.
What are the opening hours and entry fee for Anand Bhavan?
The museum is generally open from morning to late afternoon and is typically closed on Mondays. There is a modest entry ticket for the house-museum, with a separate ticket for the Jawahar Planetarium in the same compound. Timings and fees can change, so it is best to confirm locally before your visit.
Is photography allowed inside Anand Bhavan?
Photography rules inside the museum are strict, and interior photography is often restricted to protect the exhibits. The rules are posted at the entrance, so check the notices when you arrive. The gardens and exterior are usually easier to photograph.
What else can I see near Anand Bhavan?
The adjacent Swaraj Bhavan, the original Nehru residence, can be visited on the same trip, and the Jawahar Planetarium within the compound runs scheduled sky shows popular with families. Chandrashekhar Azad Park and the museums of Civil Lines are also close by, making for an easy half-day of heritage and learning.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Anand Bhavan?
The surrounding Civil Lines district is full of pure-vegetarian options, including thali restaurants, South Indian dosa-and-idli houses, and the city's well-loved chaat, kachori-sabzi and samosa stalls. For traditional sweets and snacks, the pure-veg mithai shops of the old-town Katra and Loknath lanes are a short drive away.
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