A life-sized wax replica of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stands as the centrepiece of Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavala’s Square Mall, surrounded by nearly 100 sculptures ranging from Rajiv Gandhi and Kapil Dev to Michael Jackson and Adolf Hitler. Founded by Kerala-born wax artist Sunil Kandaloor and modelled after London’s famous Madame Tussauds, this museum brings a world-class wax figure experience to India at a fraction of the cost, without requiring a trip abroad. If a visit is on your Lonavala itinerary, here’s a complete guide to Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum’s timings, ticket price, entry fee, and location.
Quick Facts: Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum
| Detail | Information |
| Founded By | Sunil Kandaloor |
| Inaugurated By | Minister Ramesh Shendge |
| Modelled On | Madame Tussauds, London |
| Location | Lonavala Square Mall, Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Lonavala, Maharashtra – 410401 |
| Total Sculptures | Approx. 100 |
| Highlight Exhibit | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sculpture |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM to 9:00/9:30 PM |
| Weekly Off | None — open all days (closed on some national holidays per certain listings) |
| Entry Fee (Adult) | ₹200 (some listings cite ₹100–₹300, varying by source) |
| Entry Fee (Children above 5) | ₹75–₹200, depending on listing |
| Free Entry | Children below 5 years |
| Distance from Lonavala Railway Station | Approx. 1 km |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours |
An Affordable Alternative to Madame Tussauds, Built by an Indian Artist
Sunil Kandaloor, the wax artist behind this museum, set out with a specific goal: making a world-class wax museum experience accessible to ordinary Indian visitors without the cost and hassle of international travel. Having created wax museums in a few other locations across India, Kandaloor brought his expertise to Lonavala, a hill station already popular for its natural scenery, adding an indoor, entertainment-focused attraction to the town’s usual outdoor sightseeing circuit.
The museum’s location inside Lonavala Square Mall, right in the heart of the city and close to the railway station, makes it one of the more accessible attractions for visitors without their own vehicle, unlike many of Lonavala’s viewpoint and dam-based attractions that require a longer drive.
What You’ll See Inside
The museum’s nearly 100 wax sculptures span Indian and international figures across multiple fields:
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – The museum’s standout centrepiece and most photographed exhibit
- Political figures – Including Rajiv Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Narendra Modi, and Jawaharlal Nehru
- Sports personalities – Featuring cricket legend Kapil Dev among others
- International celebrities – Including Michael Jackson, Angelina Jolie, and Bruce Lee
- Controversial historical figures – Such as Adolf Hitler, presented alongside more celebratory sculptures
- Musicians and artists – Including AR Rahman
- Spiritual and social figures – Images of Shirdi Sai Baba and activist Anna Hazare
- Social workers and reformers – Rounding out the diverse mix of personalities represented
A museum guide typically greets visitors upon entry, providing guidelines and context before you explore the exhibits, and interactive photo opportunities are a core part of the experience — visitors are encouraged to pose alongside the sculptures rather than simply view them from a distance.
Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum Timings
The museum keeps generous daily hours with no fixed weekly closure:
- Open: All seven days
- Hours: Approximately 9:00 AM to 9:00/9:30 PM (some listings note a 9:30 AM start)
- Closed: Some sources mention closure on national holidays, though this isn’t consistently reported
- Best time to visit: Mornings for lighter crowds; evenings tend to be busier
Since the museum is fully indoor, it works particularly well as a monsoon-season or rainy-day activity when Lonavala’s outdoor viewpoints and waterfalls become less accessible.
Entry Fee and Ticket Price
Pricing has been reported with considerable variation across different sources and time periods:
- Most commonly cited adult rate: ₹200 per person
- Other reported figures: ₹100, ₹250, and even ₹300 across different listings
- Children above 5 years: ₹75–₹200, depending on the source
- Children below 5 years: Free entry
- Photography: Generally included, though some listings mention additional charges for formal photography
Given how much reported pricing varies, it’s genuinely worth checking the current rate at the counter or the museum’s official booking channel before finalising your visit budget.
Location and How to Reach
The museum sits centrally in Lonavala, inside the town’s Square Mall.
- Address: Lonavala Square Mall, Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Gautam Park Society, Lonavala, Maharashtra 410401
- From Lonavala Railway Station: Approximately 1 km
- By road: Easily reachable on foot, by auto-rickshaw, or by taxi from central Lonavala
- Nearby attractions: Well positioned to combine with other central Lonavala sightseeing, given its walkable distance from the station
Given its central, walkable location, this museum is one of the easier Lonavala attractions to fit into a day trip, particularly if you’re already exploring the town on foot.
Tips for a Smoother Visit
- Confirm the current entry fee at the counter, given the noticeable variation across different listings
- Visit in the morning for a quieter, less crowded experience
- Treat it as a good indoor option during monsoon season when outdoor viewpoints get foggy or inaccessible
- Combine your visit with other central Lonavala attractions, given its walkable location near the railway station
- Budget extra time if you want to take photos with each sculpture, since posing is a key part of the experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why do reported entry fees vary so much, from ₹100 to ₹300?
Pricing appears to have changed over the years and across different booking platforms, without all listings being consistently updated. It’s best to confirm the current rate directly at the museum counter or through their official contact number before your visit.
Q2. Is this a good option during Lonavala’s monsoon season when outdoor spots are inaccessible?
Yes, since it’s a fully indoor attraction, it works particularly well as a rainy-day or foggy-weather alternative when Lonavala’s viewpoints and waterfalls become less enjoyable to visit. Many visitors specifically use it as a monsoon-season backup plan.
Q3. Is photography allowed, and do I need to pay extra for it?
Photography is generally included as part of the museum experience, since it’s specifically designed for visitors to pose with the sculptures. Some listings mention additional charges for certain types of photography, so it’s worth confirming this at the entrance if you’re planning an extensive photo session.
Q4. How much time should I realistically set aside for a visit?
Most visitors comfortably cover the museum in 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how much time they spend posing for photos with each sculpture. It works well as a shorter stop rather than requiring a dedicated half-day visit.
