Wankhar Butterfly Museum
A private home's basement museum showcasing a vibrant, decades-old collection of mounted butterflies and insects.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Small collection, quick visit
Wankhar Butterfly Museum
Best Time
Small collection, quick visit
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A private home's basement museum showcasing a vibrant, decades-old collection of mounted butterflies and insects.
"An amazing collection of butterflies, moths, and various other insects, a not-to-miss spot in Shillong."
📸 Photography Fees
Expect a fee for each photo taken. The owner may check your album. :camerawithflash:
🏠 Basement Location
The museum is in a private home's basement. Look for clear signage. :housewithgarden:
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
3.9 · 500 reviews
Type
Museum
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Vibrant Butterfly Collection
Main display area
Marvel at a dazzling array of mounted butterflies, showcasing a spectrum of colors and patterns.
Diverse Insect Specimens
Display cases
Explore a fascinating variety of moths, beetles, centipedes, and other meticulously preserved insects.
Historical Entomology
Throughout the museum
Discover specimens collected and preserved since the museum's establishment in 1973.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Entry Fees & Photography Policy
Location & Accessibility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Photography Fees
Expect a fee for each photo taken. The owner may check your album. :camerawithflash:
🏠 Basement Location
The museum is in a private home's basement. Look for clear signage. :housewithgarden:
🚶♀️ Walkable from Police Bazaar
It's about a 1.5 km walk from Police Bazaar, a pleasant stroll. 🚶
🦋 For Bug Enthusiasts
Ideal for those with a keen interest in entomology and insect collections. :bug:
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Photography Fees
Expect a fee for each photo taken. The owner may check your album. :camerawithflash:
🏠 Basement Location
The museum is in a private home's basement. Look for clear signage. :housewithgarden:
🚶♀️ Walkable from Police Bazaar
It's about a 1.5 km walk from Police Bazaar, a pleasant stroll. 🚶
🦋 For Bug Enthusiasts
Ideal for those with a keen interest in entomology and insect collections. :bug:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Wankhar Butterfly Museum offers a unique, privately curated collection of insects, particularly butterflies and moths, maintained by the founder's descendants. While appreciated for its effort and historical specimens, some visitors find the photography fees unusual and the collection not exceptionally unique for the cost. It's a quick, niche visit for the curious.
"A private collection of insects and butterflies. Ok to visit if you are nearby and are curious. Entry is 50 per head and every photo taken is chargeable Rs 10. The owner will check your photo album to see how many photos you have taken. This is not the way to publicise your museum and i disliked this practice. It should have been a single photography fee. The collection is not so unique or amazing which demands fee for every photo taken
Overall an okay experience."
Sahaj
"This is a privately owned museum maintained by Mr Wankhars descendant at the basement of their home
Entry fees 50rs/-
Video camera and photography has extra charges
It's an amazing collection of species includes butterflies, moths, beetles, centipedes etc which all are hand collected and stored since ages now
The museum was established in 1973
This is located around 1.5 km from the police bazaar"
Shilpa Bhushan
"A great place for general public and entegologists alike. Although small, has a good collection. This privately owned museum is maintained by Wankhar descendants. Great effort by the family..kudos to them. Not to miss spot in Shillong."
shivanand bhavikatti
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is located about 1.5 km from Police Bazaar in Shillong. You can easily walk there, or take a short taxi ride. It's situated in the basement of a private home, so keep an eye out for any signs.
While it's in a residential area, it's generally well-known among locals. Asking for directions to the 'Wankhar Butterfly Museum' should get you there without much trouble.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entry fee is approximately 50 INR per person. This grants you access to view the collection.
Yes, there is a separate charge of 10 INR for each photo taken. Some visitors have noted the owner may check photo albums to verify the number of pictures taken.
The reviews mention charges for photography, and it's likely that video recording would also incur an additional fee. It's best to inquire upon arrival.
Given its size and location in a private home's basement, it's best suited for smaller groups or individual visits. Large groups might find it a bit cramped.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The museum boasts an amazing collection of butterflies, moths, beetles, centipedes, and various other insects, all meticulously preserved.
As it's a single-room museum with a focused collection, a visit is usually quite brief, often taking less than an hour. It's a quick stop for those curious about entomology.
While the collection is good and has been maintained for ages, some visitors feel it's not exceptionally unique or amazing, especially considering the photography fees.
The museum is privately owned and maintained by the descendants of Mr. Wankhar, who established the collection in 1973.
It offers a glimpse into a personal passion for entomology, with a quiet and focused atmosphere due to its size and location. It's a place for appreciation rather than grand spectacle.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is permitted but comes with a fee of 10 INR per photo. The owner may review your photo album to count the pictures taken, a practice some visitors found unusual.
This depends on your interest. If you're a keen photographer or want to document the specific specimens, it might be worth it. However, consider the per-photo charge against the overall experience.
There's no specific mention of this, but it's generally advisable to ask for permission before photographing individuals, especially in a private residence.
No specific restrictions are mentioned, but given the small space, large professional equipment might be cumbersome. Standard camera or phone usage is expected.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit