14 places to discover
Anasakti Ashram is a historic retreat in Kausani where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for 14 days in 1929. During this period, he wrote his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita titled 'Anasakti Yoga', outlining the philosophy of non-attachment. The ashram features a small museum with photographs and writings from Gandhi's stay, along with a prayer room. It offers panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks and serves as a center for reflection and study.
Anna Centenary Library is a large public library located in Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Inaugurated in 2010 and named to commemorate former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai, it is among the largest libraries in Asia. Spread over eight floors in a modern building, it houses over 1.2 million books including extensive Tamil and English collections, children's section, Braille section, manuscripts and digital resources, serving as a major knowledge and research centre for Chennai.
Barton Library and Museum is a historic library-cum-museum located in central Bhavnagar, Gujarat, near Crescent Circle. Established in 1895 during the reign of Maharaja Takhtsinhji and named after Colonel Barton, a British Agent, it is among the oldest libraries in Gujarat. The institution houses a collection of rare books, manuscripts, coins, inscriptions and archaeological artifacts reflecting the history of Bhavnagar and Saurashtra.
Jardim Garcia de Orta is a historic municipal garden located in the heart of Panaji, Goa, opposite the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Built in 1855 and renamed to honor the 16th-century Portuguese naturalist Garcia de Orta, it features a central column with India's national emblem replacing a former bust of Vasco da Gama. The garden serves as a cultural hub hosting festivals and offers a public library, bandstand, and diverse plant species.
Kavi Keshavsut Smarak is a literary memorial located in Malgund village near Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. It honors Krishnaji Keshav Damle, known as Kavi Keshavsut, who is regarded as the father of modern Marathi poetry. Built on his ancestral home site by the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and inaugurated in 1994, the memorial preserves his birthplace, displays engraved poetry on granite, and houses a library of Marathi literature.
Lang Library is a historic public library in Rajkot, Gujarat, located near Jubilee Garden on Jawahar Road. Established in 1856 and named after Colonel Lang, British Political Agent of Kathiawar, it is one of the oldest libraries in Saurashtra. Housed in a heritage colonial-era building, it holds a large collection of books, newspapers, periodicals and rare manuscripts and remains notable for its architecture and long role in Rajkot's education and reading culture.
The Madras Literary Society is India's oldest learned society and subscription library, founded in 1812 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Located in the heritage red building within the DPI Campus on College Road, Nungambakkam, it houses a rare collection of over 80,000 books, journals and manuscripts. Notable for its colonial architecture and scholarly legacy, it remains a functioning library and research centre.
Maulana Azad Library is the central library of Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Located within the university campus, it is one of the largest university libraries in Asia. Originally established in 1877 as the Lytton Library and renamed in 1960 after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, it houses over 1.8 million books, rare manuscripts and special collections including the Sir Syed Collection. Its seven-storey building is a prominent landmark of the university.
Nazrul Granthagar is a public library located on Central Road in Udaipur, Gomati District, Tripura. Named after poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, it serves as the main district library for the region. The library houses a collection of books, periodicals and reference materials in Bengali, English and other languages. It functions as a community reading and study centre and hosts occasional cultural and literary events, reflecting Udaipur's role as a historic cultural centre of Tripura.
The Neilson Hays Library is a historic English-language private membership library located at 195 Surawong Road in the Surawong area of Bang Rak, Bangkok. Established in 1869 and housed since 1922 in a neoclassical building designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno, it is Bangkok's oldest English-language library. Notable for its domed rotunda, original teak furnishings, tranquil garden, and role as a cultural venue hosting exhibitions, talks and events.
The Prayagraj Public Library, also known as Thornhill Mayne Memorial, is a historic public library located inside Chandrashekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1864 and housed in an 1870 Scottish Baronial building designed by Richard Roskell Bayne, it is one of the largest libraries in Uttar Pradesh. Notable for its heritage architecture and extensive collection of books, manuscripts and historic documents, it serves as a major centre for reading and research.
Romain Rolland Library is a historic public library located in White Town, Puducherry. Established in 1827 as the Bibliothèque Publique, it is one of the oldest libraries in India. Housed in a French colonial building near Goubert Avenue, it holds a large collection of books in French, English, Tamil and other languages, including rare volumes. Renamed in 1966 after French Nobel laureate Romain Rolland, it serves as a major reading and research centre.
Saraswata Niketanam Library is a historic public library located in Vetapalem, Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh. Established in 1918, it is one of the oldest libraries in Andhra Pradesh and is known for its extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts and periodicals in Telugu, Sanskrit and English. The library serves as an important centre for literary research and cultural preservation, reflecting the region's intellectual heritage and long-standing commitment to education.
The State Central Library, formerly known as Asafia Library, is a historic public library established in 1891 and located on the banks of the River Musi in Afzal Gunj, Hyderabad. The imposing Indo-Saracenic heritage building was completed in 1936 and houses over 500,000 books, magazines, and rare manuscripts. It serves as the apex institution of Telangana's library system and was granted heritage status by INTACH in 1998.