Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai: How to Travel like a Science Geek

Mumbai, the commercial and entertainment capital of the country, is also the place for the country’s largest interactive science center, Nehru Science Center. Located in Worli, Mumbai, the science centre has been named after the first Prime Minister of the country, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Mumbai Nehru Science Centre was launched in 1977 with the “Light and Sound” exhibition. Further, a science park was created within the center in 1979. In 1985, it was distinctly established as the science center by the Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi.

Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai is a part of the National Council of Science Museums, which is an independent organization functioning under the Ministry of Culture. Nehru Science Centre has about 500 unique exhibits based on the different elements of science, and the experimental models of light, sound, transportation, energy, and mechanical aspects give a practical approach apart from the theoretical understanding.

How to Reach Here?

Nehru Science Centre is located on Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai, amid the Mahalaxmi railway station and Worli Naka. It can be easily accessed by trains, buses and local or private taxis and independent vehicles. The nearest railway stations to reach Nehru Science Centre are - Mahalaxmi station (Western Line), Byculla station (Central Line) and Bombay Central railway station. The nearest bus stop to reach is Jijamatanagar. The common bus routes are - 50, 80 (Ltd), 91 (Ltd.), 124, 154, 164, 165,168, 172, 351. The nearest airport to reach is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Timings:

Nehru Science Centre is open for the public on all the days of the year, except for the second day of Holi and on the occasion of Diwali.

For the Days from Monday to Friday:

• The visiting hours are: 09:30 AM to 06:00 PM

• The ticket counter hours are: 09:30 to 05:30 PM

For the Days of Saturday and Sunday:

• The visiting hours: 09:30 AM to 08:00 PM

• The ticket counter hours are 09:30 AM to 07:30 PM

Entry Fee:

The ticket fare for the visit ranges from INR 5-70. The general visitors will be charged INR 70 and for students with an authorized letter from the school, the price of the ticket will be INR 20 for private schools and INR 10 for government schools.

Exploring the Nehru Science Centre

The Nehru Science Centre has various departments based on the different avenues of science and a part of their association with human beings. The building is surrounded by a luscious garden having models of prehistoric animals like, for example, species of dinosaurs, scattered within the garden.

The Garden

The garden adds a natural streak to the learning and intuitive minds that science geeks bring here. The different areas of science exhibited for exploring in the Nehru Science Centre are Light and Sight, Human and machine, Hall of Evolution, Prehistoric animal life, Climate change, Hall of nuclear power, Hall of Mirror, Technology Heritage, Hall of Aerospace and Spark Theatre.

The Models

There are various models depicting the classic concepts of physics like Newton’s Laws, Flow of energy, Mirror effects. The model for Flow of Energy is quite popular and is about tapping and interacting with the movement of the ball in the pavement created. A section of the Nehru Science Centre consists of the wall that speaks the history of science with the faces that bring glory to science. One side of the wall will be the posters of Indian Nobel Laureates and on the other side, the recent Noble Prize Winners with their detailed invention story. The posters are arched on the wall with a photo of the awarded scientists.

The Sound and Hearing Department

The most fascinating department is the Sound and Hearing department. There are interesting banners with artistic structures depicting the anatomy of the ear, the process of hearing, and different types of musical instruments catering to classical music such as sitar, Sarang, tanpura, veena, and mridangam. It has a small flight of stairs made up of piano strings and it creates the sound on tapping the steps. There is also a nostalgia segment having details about the telephone and a model of the gramophone.

The Fun Matching Games

Also, there are fun games of matching the sound with the source based on musical instruments. The Light and Sight room comprises of streamers with different elements, processes associated with it. Some of the major ones, which are explained creatively are Illusion, Mirage, Telescopes, Photography, Diffraction, Binoculars, Color vision with brain diagram, lasers, interference, single slit, double slit, lenses and filters, infrared cameras, scattering, polarization and many more. There is a high flower-like structure which is a prolific way of explaining fiber optics, where the fibers radiate out.

The Historic Inventions and the Show of ‘Science on Sphere’

Historic inventions like the wheel, the airplane, bicycle, carts are framed on the other wall beside it. The special attraction of Nehru Science Centre is the show of ‘Science on Sphere’, which gives an intuitive and captivating way of looking at the world. There are various other 3-D Science shows happening and tickets are available at the reception counter.

A number of programmes and exhibitions related to science and research that happen throughout the year are science dramas, quiz competitions, and workshops for school children. Apart from all the scientific and historical aspects, Nehru Science Centre is well equipped with water coolers, washrooms, and a cafeteria. ‘Science is boring and difficult’ will never be true after visiting Nehru Science Centre as here science is innovatively documented with history, human senses, heritage, culture and connected with everyday life.