Bihar Museum ranks ninth globally and first in Asia in a 2026 museum ranking, drawing praise from Anand Mahindra
PATNA, INDIA: Bihar Museum has secured ninth place in the World’s 100 Best Museums 2026 ranking, placing it ahead of Paris’s Louvre and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ranking, published by Munich-based travel publication Worth a Journey, also names the Patna institution Asia’s highest-ranked museum.
Bihar Museum is the only Indian institution featured among the world’s top 100 museums. The ranking considers visitor reviews, data analysis and expert evaluations conducted on-site.
Anand Mahindra Praises Historic Achievement
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra celebrated the recognition on social media platform X, describing it as a major milestone for India’s cultural institutions.
Mahindra called the achievement a potential “game changer” for museum experiences across India. He also credited former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, government officials and creative collaborators for developing the institution.
What Makes Bihar Museum Special?
Opened in phases beginning in 2015, Bihar Museum showcases the region’s history through ancient sculptures, manuscripts, archaeological discoveries and cultural artefacts. One of its most celebrated exhibits is the approximately 2,000-year-old Didarganj Yakshi sculpture, carved from polished sandstone.
The 13.9-acre museum also houses Kurkihar bronze sculptures, prehistoric tools and Buddhist heritage collections. Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki designed the museum in collaboration with Indian architectural practice Studio Opolis.
Impact to Expect
The international recognition could strengthen Bihar’s cultural tourism sector and attract more domestic and international visitors. It may also encourage Indian museums to invest in modern exhibition spaces, improved visitor experiences and stronger heritage preservation initiatives.
