A Home for India's Philatelic Heritage

Lekhika: Replica of one of the earliest 

depictions of letter writing in Indian culture. 

From a stone carving at Konark, Orissa. 

The renovated National Philatelic Museum (NPM) at New Delhi will be inaugurated on 11^th July, 2011.

Postage stamps represent a steady stream of communication from a nation, espousing its views on a variety of subjects in various pictorial formats. They are described as paper ambassadors of the issuing country, and have considerable socio-cultural relevance. The National Philatelic Museum brings forward selected stamps and other philatelic material for public viewing through carefully constructed exhibits, displays and models.

A museum is a community asset. The NPM has been redesigned keeping this in view. It is an interactive space devoted to philately, the art and science of collecting stamps. Philately transforms itself into a vehicle here, one that enables the young and the old to travel through the avenues of India’s rich history, culture, national achievements and natural wealth. The Museum has bays dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, past Prime Ministers of India and leaders of the freedom struggle. The displays also include themes like Science and Technology, Wildlife and Transport. There are glimpses of philately from other countries and displays from the Army Postal Service. There are relics, models and pictures representing postal life over the centuries.

NPM has an amphitheatre for talk shows and presentations, a reference library, a souvenir shop and an artist’s corner where stamp designers give live demonstrations. 

Village post office: A diorama from NPM

The Museum, thus, will hold enough attraction for the veteran collector as well as the curious visitor. Philately, it is hoped, will come alive here, enabling people to explore, learn, get inspired and find enjoyment.

Location:   At the ground floor, Dak Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Ashoka Road, New Delhi.

Timings:   Monday-Friday, 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Visits of school groups possible on Saturdays, on request