Gargoti: The Mineral Museum
| Place | Nashik |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 2001 |
| Museum Type | Natural History / Gem & Mineral Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | D-59, MIDC, MIDC Area, Malegaon, Maharashtra 422113 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM (Daily). Open year-round, though some sources suggest it may close on major public holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹200 for Indian Nationals ₹50 per head for groups of 4+. |
Museum Introduction
Inaugurated in 2001 by Balasaheb Thackeray, Gargoti - The Gem & Mineral Museum is located in the Sinnar MIDC area near Nashik. It is the world's largest private collection of geological specimens, founded by Krishna Chandra (K.C.) Pandey, a former Indian Naval Engineer. The name "Gargoti" is derived from the Marathi word for "pebbles," reflecting the spectacular zeolites housed within its 13,000 sq. ft. contemporary building.
General Collections
The museum spans two floors and is divided into two primary galleries. The Deccan Plateau Gallery showcases the geological diversity of India, particularly the volcanic regions of Maharashtra. The Prestige Gallery contains rare and precious specimens sourced globally. The collection includes over 10,000 items, ranging from raw minerals and crystals to intricate stone carvings and cosmic debris.
Unique Historical Collections
Deccan Zeolites: The world’s largest and finest collection of Indian Zeolite minerals (e.g., Apophyllite, Stilbite, Cavansite). Cosmic Specimens: Authentic rocks from the Moon and Mars, accompanied by certificates of authenticity. Bharat Mata Statue: An 8.5-foot tall statue of Mother India situated beneath a dome that illustrates the drifting Indian subcontinent. Fossils: A rare assortment including Dinosaur bone fossils and mammoth remains.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the galleries. The museum is renowned for its use of varied lighting—both natural and artificial—to highlight the glowing properties of fluorescent minerals. It has received several awards, including the Pride of India and Saraswati Puraskar. |
| Artifacts | Amethyst geodes from Brazil; Native gold from California; Sapphire from Sri Lanka; Titanic coal; Intricate crystal carvings; Fluorescent minerals like phosphorescent Powellite; Rare red botryoidal Fluorite from Nashik. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details |
+91 98906 55592 +91 2551 230866 |
| Email ID | info@gargoti.com |