Quick answer: The Nehru Planetarium is part of the Nehru Centre on Dr Annie Besant Road in Worli, Mumbai, and has run sky shows since it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 3 March 1977. As of October 2026, the Nehru Centre lists four shows a day at 12 noon (Hindi), 1:30 pm (Marathi), 3 pm (English) and 4:30 pm (Hindi), with tickets at ₹150 for anyone above five years old. The planetarium is closed on Mondays and on a short list of holidays.
Nehru Planetarium at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400018 |
| Show times | 12:00 pm Hindi; 1:30 pm Marathi; 3:00 pm English; 4:30 pm Hindi |
| Current show | “The Moon Mission: India’s Journey to the Moon” |
| Ticket | ₹150 per person (age above 5 years) |
| Ticket window | 11 am to 5 pm (except 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm) |
| Closed on | Every Monday, plus listed holidays |
| Time needed | About 1 to 2 hours for a show and the exhibits; half a day with the Discovery of India exposition |
Show times, prices and closures are from the Nehru Centre’s planetarium pages as read in October 2026. Shows change from time to time, so check the “Planetarium Shows” page on the Nehru Centre website before you go.
Booking rules and holidays
- Seats: The planetarium has 500 seats. Only 131 can be booked online; the remaining 369 are sold at the ticket window.
- No same-day online booking. Book online at least a day ahead, or buy at the window on the day.
- Arrive early: Admission starts 15 minutes before the show, and nobody is admitted once the show has started. Viewing the planetarium’s exhibits is included with the show.
- It is cold inside: The Nehru Centre warns that the temperature in the dome is slightly below 20°C, so carry a light jacket, especially for children.
- Accessibility: A lift suitable for wheelchair users and elderly visitors is available.
- Refunds: The Centre says refunds take about 10 days to process.
Besides every Monday, the planetarium’s published 2026 holiday list includes Dussehra (Tuesday, 20 October 2026), Diwali (Sunday, 8 November 2026) and Bhaubeej (Wednesday, 11 November 2026). Earlier 2026 closures included Holi, Gopalkala, Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi.
An earlier version of this article gave the ticket price as ₹100 and described a 90-minute show. The Nehru Centre’s current published price is ₹150, and it does not state a show length, so that figure has been removed.
History of the Nehru Planetarium
The planetarium belongs to the Nehru Centre, a memorial to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The Centre was conceived in 1972, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid its foundation stone, and the full complex was completed in 1985 on a site in Worli. It was designed by architect I. M. Kadri; its cylindrical tower rising from a sloping green base is a Worli landmark. An earlier version of this article named the architect as “J M Kadri” and said the Nehru Centre was “developed in 1972”; both have been corrected.
The planetarium opened before the rest of the complex. It was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi on 3 March 1977, with the aim of fostering scientific temper through “edutainment”, a mix of education and entertainment. Its first programme, “Tryst with Destiny”, recreated the sky over Mumbai and Delhi on the night of 14 August 1947 and ended with Nehru’s Independence speech. The second, “Mahatma: The Eternal Light”, opened on 1 October 1977.
The projection system has changed several times:
- The original Universal Planetarium Projector, made by VEB Carl Zeiss Jena in East Germany, served for 26 years. According to the Nehru Centre, it ran 28 shows and was seen by about 96 lakh viewers.
- It was replaced by a Digistar 3 digital system from Evans & Sutherland of the USA, with full-dome video and 5.1 surround sound, upgraded to Digistar 6 in April 2018.
- After the Covid-19 pandemic, the planetarium reopened on 30 April 2022 with a new projector and Digistar 7 software.
What to see and do at the Nehru Centre
Sky shows
The dome show is the main attraction. The current programme is about India’s missions to the Moon, run in Hindi, Marathi and English.
Eclipses, telescopes and public lectures
The planetarium makes special arrangements for watching and photographing solar and lunar eclipses, and telescopes are set up outside for such events. It also invites astronomers and astrophysicists to give public lectures, usually in the 250-seat Hall of Culture in the Discovery of India building. It runs science quizzes, astro-painting, elocution and astro-poetry contests for students.
Science laboratory
A science laboratory in the planetarium basement lets students of Classes 8 to 10 carry out the practical experiments in their textbooks.
Discovery of India exposition
This permanent exhibition traces India’s artistic, intellectual and philosophical history in 14 galleries, using replicas, photographs, dioramas and audio-visuals. The Nehru Centre says it has over 50,000 exhibits across about 1,00,000 sq ft. It is also closed on Mondays.
Nehru Centre Library
The library, on the first floor of the Discovery of India building, is a free public reference library with more than 40,000 books (the old version of this article said 30,000), along with magazines, newspapers and audio-visual material. As of October 2026 it opens on weekdays and on the first, third and fifth Saturdays from 10 am to 5:45 pm, and is closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Art gallery and cultural programmes
The Nehru Centre Art Gallery hosts exhibitions by young and established artists, and the Centre’s auditorium and Culture Wing stage music, dance and theatre.
How to reach the Nehru Planetarium
- Suburban rail: The Nehru Centre lists Mumbai Central and Mahalaxmi (Western line) and Byculla (Central line) as the nearest stations, and also mentions Dadar. A short taxi ride from any of them reaches Worli.
- BEST buses: The Centre lists several BEST routes that stop nearby and advises checking current routes with BEST.
- By car or taxi: According to the Centre, off-site parking is available within walking distance.
Best time to visit
The shows are indoors, so weather matters little, but October to March is the most comfortable time to combine a visit with sightseeing in Worli. Weekday shows are generally less crowded than weekend ones. Go on a clear night if you hope to use the telescopes during a special sky event.
Places to visit near the Nehru Planetarium
- Walk along the Worli Sea Face promenade at sunset.
- See the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, which starts at Worli.
- Visit the Haji Ali Dargah, reached by a causeway into the sea.
- The Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is in neighbouring Prabhadevi.
- The Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai’s huge open-air laundry, is near Mahalaxmi station.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nehru Planetarium ticket price?
As of October 2026, the Nehru Centre lists the ticket at ₹150 per person for anyone above five years of age.
Is the Nehru Planetarium open on Monday?
No. The planetarium is closed every Monday, as is the Discovery of India exposition.
Can I book Nehru Planetarium tickets online?
Yes, but only 131 of the 500 seats are sold online, and same-day online booking is not allowed. The rest are sold at the ticket window from 11 am to 5 pm, except 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm.
Which show is in English?
Under the current schedule, the 3 pm show is in English. The 12 noon and 4:30 pm shows are in Hindi, and the 1:30 pm show is in Marathi.
Who designed the Nehru Centre?
The Nehru Centre was designed by architect I. M. Kadri and completed in 1985. The planetarium inside it opened earlier, on 3 March 1977.
Show times, ticket prices, holidays and history in this guide were checked in October 2026 against the Nehru Centre’s official website and published histories of the Centre. Schedules change, so check before visiting.
