Take a selfie standing between Mahatma Gandhi and Sachin Tendulkar without either of them actually being there — that’s the experience waiting inside Mother’s Wax Museum, India’s first wax museum of its kind, tucked into the fifth and sixth floors of a glass-and-steel building opposite New Town’s Eco Park in Kolkata. Inaugurated in November 2014 and inspired by London’s Madame Tussauds, the museum blends over 50 to 100 lifelike wax figures spanning history, politics, sports, and cinema into an experience that’s as much about photography as it is about learning. If a visit is on your Kolkata itinerary, here’s a complete guide to Mother’s Wax Museum’s timings, ticket price, entry fee, and location.
Quick Facts: Mother’s Wax Museum
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Mother’s Wax Museum (MWM) |
| Named After | Mother Teresa |
| Inaugurated | November 2014 |
| Inspired By | Madame Tussauds, London |
| Managed By | West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) |
| Location | International Finance Centre, 6th & 5th Floor, Action Area II, CBD-I, New Town, Kolkata – 700156 |
| Opposite Landmark | New Town Eco Park (central gate) |
| Opening Hours | 12:00 Noon to 7:30 PM |
| Weekly Off | Monday |
| Entry Fee (Weekdays) | ₹100 per person |
| Entry Fee (Weekends & State Holidays) | ₹150 per person |
| Free Entry | Children below 3 years |
| Parking Fee | ₹50 (approx.) |
| Total Wax Figures | 50–100+ (varies by listing) |
| Distance from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport | Approx. 10 km |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5–2 hours |
India’s Answer to Madame Tussauds, With a Bengal Connection
Mother’s Wax Museum draws its name directly from Mother Teresa, whose humanitarian legacy in Kolkata made her a fitting namesake for a museum built to honour prominent global and Indian figures. The concept itself was inspired by Madame Tussauds, but the location tells its own story — situated in New Town, a rapidly developing planned township on Kolkata’s northeastern fringes, often associated with the state government’s broader urban development vision for the area.
The museum occupies the fifth and sixth floors of HIDCO’s International Finance Centre, positioned directly opposite Eco Park’s central gate, making it one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Town’s still-developing skyline.
What You’ll See Inside
The collection spans a genuinely wide range of personalities, arranged into themed sections that make it easy to explore based on your interests:
- Historical and political figures – Including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Bollywood and Indian cinema – Featuring wax figures of celebrated actors, sculpted with lifelike detail
- Sports icons – Including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and other prominent athletes
- International personalities – Global figures spanning various fields
- Cartoon and pop culture characters – A lighter, family-friendly section for younger visitors
- Detailed backdrops – Each figure is displayed within a themed setting, adding context and realism rather than standing on a plain platform
Each statue is crafted by professional artists with meticulous attention to detail, and interactive photo areas throughout the museum let visitors pose alongside the figures for a genuinely memorable photo experience.
Mother’s Wax Museum Timings
The museum keeps a fairly late daily schedule with one fixed weekly closure:
- Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 Noon to 7:30 PM
- Closed: Every Monday
Since the museum opens at noon rather than in the morning, it works well as an afternoon or early evening activity, particularly if you’re planning to combine it with a morning visit to Eco Park across the road.
Entry Fee and Ticket Price
Pricing is structured by day of the week, based on the museum’s official rates:
- Weekdays (Tuesday–Friday): ₹100 per person
- Weekends and state holidays (Saturday, Sunday): ₹150 per person
- Children below 3 years: No ticket required
- Parking: Approximately ₹50
- Refund policy: Tickets are non-refundable once booked
Given the noticeable price difference between weekdays and weekends, visiting on a weekday can be a straightforward way to save on entry costs if your schedule allows it.
Location and How to Reach
The museum sits in New Town, a planned township that’s become one of Kolkata’s fastest-growing urban zones.
- Address: International Finance Centre, 6th & 5th Floor, Action Area II, CBD-I, New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal 700156
- From Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport: Approximately 10 km by road
- By rail: Howrah Junction and Sealdah are the nearest major railway stations, both requiring a further road transfer
- By bus: Financial Hub bus stop, near Eco Park Gate, is close to the museum
- Nearby landmark: Eco Park is directly across the road, roughly 2 km or less depending on the exact gate
Given New Town’s wide roads and relatively light traffic compared to central Kolkata, reaching the museum by cab or auto tends to be a smoother drive than navigating the older parts of the city.
Tips for a Smoother Visit
- Visit on a weekday if you want to save on the ₹50 price difference between weekday and weekend tickets
- Combine your trip with Eco Park, located directly opposite, for a full day out
- Carry your own camera, since videography isn’t permitted inside the museum
- Avoid touching the wax statues, as this is explicitly prohibited
- Note that food and water aren’t allowed inside the museum premises
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I bring food or drinks inside the museum?
No, food and water are not permitted inside the museum premises. It’s best to eat beforehand or plan to visit the on-site restaurant mentioned by some visitors, if available during your visit.
Q2. Is video recording allowed, or only photography?
Videography is not permitted inside the museum, though visitors are allowed to use their own cameras for photography. This is worth keeping in mind if you’re hoping to record a video tour of your visit.
Q3. Why is the entry fee higher on weekends compared to weekdays?
The museum charges a higher rate of ₹150 on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays compared to ₹100 on regular weekdays, reflecting typically higher visitor footfall during these periods. Visiting on a weekday is the more budget-friendly option if your schedule permits.
Q4. Is this museum suitable for young children, or is it more geared toward adults?
It works well for families, with a dedicated cartoon and pop culture character section specifically aimed at younger visitors, alongside the more serious historical and political figures. Children below 3 years also enter free of charge.
