Culture 30 October 2026
Bihar Museum Patna Ranks 9th in 'The World's 100 Best Museums 2026', Tops Asia Rankings
Why in the News?
**Bihar Museum**, located in Patna (Bihar), secured the **9th position globally** in **‘The World's 100 Best Museums 2026’** list released on October 28, 2026, by *Worth a Journey*, an independent travel guide based in Munich, Germany.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Asia's Premier Representation: Bihar Museum stands as the **only museum from India** featured in the top 100 and the **sole museum from Asia** to rank within the global top 10.
- Outranking Global Icons: The museum surpassed internationally renowned institutions such as New York’s **The Metropolitan Museum of Art ('The Met' - 10th)** and Paris’s **Louvre Museum (31st)**.
- Top 3 Global Museums (2026):
1. **Museo Nacional de Antropología** (Mexico City, Mexico) - 1st Rank.
2. **Museo del Prado** (Madrid, Spain) - 2nd Rank.
3. **Louisiana Museum of Modern Art** (Humlebæk, Denmark) - 3rd Rank.
- Architectural & Artifact Highlights:
- Inaugurated in **2015** on Bailey Road, Patna.
- Architectural Design: Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect **Fumihiko Maki** in collaboration with Opolis Architects, Mumbai.
- Masterpiece Exhibit: The famous Mauryan-era **Didarganj Yakshi** statue (discovered in 1917). It also houses a Children's Gallery and a dedicated **Diaspora Gallery** showcasing Bihar's historical global influence.
Static GK Facts:
- Bihar Museum:
- Location: **Patna, Bihar** | Inaugurated: **2015**.
- Lead Architect: Fumihiko Maki (Japan).
- Iconic Artifact: Didarganj Yakshi (Polished Chunar sandstone sculpture of the Mauryan Period).
- International Council of Museums (ICOM):
- Formed: **1946** | Headquarters: **Paris, France**.
- International Museum Day: Observed annually on **May 18**.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: What rank did the Bihar Museum (Patna) secure in 'The World's 100 Best Museums 2026' list published by 'Worth a Journey'?
A: 9th Rank (1st in Asia)
Q: Which Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect designed the flagship Bihar Museum in Patna?
A: Fumihiko Maki
Q: The world-renowned 'Didarganj Yakshi' statue displayed at Bihar Museum belongs to which ancient Indian historical era?
A: Mauryan Period
Q: Which museum ranked 1st globally in 'The World's 100 Best Museums 2026' list?
A: Museo Nacional de Antropología (Mexico City, Mexico)
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