Last updated: June 2026
If you visited Patna Taramandal more than five years ago, forget what you remember. The Patna Planetarium you knew — with its ageing projector and the same film running for years — doesn’t exist anymore. What stands in its place today is, by several recent accounts, one of the most advanced planetariums in the country.
Quick Facts
| Official name | Indira Gandhi Planetarium |
| Local name | Patna Taramandal |
| Location | Indira Gandhi Science Complex, Bailey Road, Patna |
| Reopened after rebuild | April 2024 |
| Redevelopment cost | Rs. 36 crore |
| Technology | 3D 8K laser projection (Carl Zeiss, Germany) |
| Shows per day | 8, approx. 30 minutes each |
| Seating | 225 |
| Daily visitors | 1,500–2,000+ |
| Languages | Hindi and English |
The ₹36 Crore Makeover Nobody Told You About
For nearly a decade, the Patna Planetarium had been reduced to little more than a venue for exhibitions unrelated to astronomy. Its revival began in earnest in 2021, when Bihar’s infrastructure leadership took up the project as part of a wider modernization push. The Department of Science and Technology proposed reviving the planetarium that year.
In 2022, the Bihar government sanctioned ₹36 crore for a complete overhaul. Two years and a full technological transformation later, Patna Planetarium reopened to the public in April 2024.
What’s Actually Different Now
This wasn’t a paint job. The redesigned facility now houses cutting-edge 3D, 8K-resolution laser projection technology, an interactive astronomy gallery, and a redesigned auditorium — seating was reduced from 261 to 225 to improve the viewing experience. Shows now run about 30 minutes each in both Hindi and English, using recent NASA footage instead of decades-old film reels.
To pull this off, project officials reportedly travelled to Germany and France to source projection technology, eventually partnering with Carl Zeiss, the German optics manufacturer used by some of the world’s top planetariums. A custom dome screen was sourced from the United States.
The gallery now includes 25 interactive exhibits — covering everything from the Big Bang to India’s own Vikram Lander and Aditya-L1 missions — plus a high-powered telescope.
The numbers back up the buzz: the planetarium now draws more than 1,500 visitors on an average day, with peak crowds reaching 2,000.
Is It Worth Visiting? What Recent Visitors Say
The reaction from recent visitors has been largely glowing — several who’ve also visited planetariums in Kolkata and Delhi rank Patna’s among the best they’ve seen in the country, and one visitor’s relative living abroad reportedly said it compared well to international planetariums.
It’s not without critics, though. Some educators have noted the planetarium could use more structured, curated programs for school groups — right now, the experience leans more toward visual spectacle than hands-on learning. A souvenir shop and a new VR theatre are both reportedly in the works, which should help.
For most visitors, the takeaway is simple: this isn’t the planetarium you remember skipping as a kid.
Patna Planetarium Show Timings 2026
The planetarium runs 8 shows daily, confirmed directly from the official booking portal:
| Time | Show | Language | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Astroid Mission Extreme | English | 3D |
| 12:00 Noon | Astroid Mission Extreme | Hindi | 3D |
| 1:00 PM | Voyager | Hindi | 3D |
| 2:20 PM | We Are Stars | Hindi | 3D |
| 3:20 PM | Astroid Mission Extreme | Hindi | 3D |
| 4:20 PM | Voyager | Hindi | 3D |
| 5:20 PM | We Are Stars | Hindi | 3D |
| 6:20 PM | Voyager | English | 3D |
There’s also a full-day Auditorium (सभागार) booking option available from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM for events and group bookings.
Note: Three films currently rotate through the schedule — Astroid Mission Extreme, Voyager, and We Are Stars — with English shows at 11:00 AM and 6:20 PM, and Hindi shows filling the rest of the day. The planetarium is closed on Mondays.
Tip: Given the daily footfall of 1,500–2,000+ visitors, arrive at least 30 minutes early to avoid queues at the ticket counter. You can book your exact show slot in advance at dstbihar.softelsolutions.in.
Ticket Price
Based on current pricing for the Indira Gandhi Planetarium:
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Adults | Rs . 60 – 100 |
| Children / Students | Rs. 30 – 50 |
| School groups | Discounted rates available |
Exact pricing varies by show type and visitor category — confirm the specific amount for your category at booking. Tickets can be booked online via the official DST Bihar portal or purchased directly at the counter.
How to Reach Patna Planetarium
- By train: Patna Junction railway station — a short auto or cab ride away
- By air: Jay Prakash Narayan Airport, Patna — approx. 6–8 km
- By road: Located on Bailey Road, well connected by city buses, autos, and cabs
Nearby Places to Visit
Combine your planetarium visit with these nearby Patna attractions:
- Eco Park Patna
- Gandhi Ghat, Patna
- Best Water Parks in Patna
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib
- Top 20 Best Places to Visit in Patna
(These internal links are critical — they’re what builds your “Patna hub” authority with Google, and Yoast will score this post higher with 3+ internal links.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Patna Planetarium still using old projector technology? No. It underwent a ₹36 crore redevelopment between 2022 and 2024, replacing the old system with 3D 8K laser projection from Carl Zeiss, Germany.
When did Patna Planetarium reopen after renovation? It reopened in April 2024 after a two-year rebuild.
What are the exact show timings today? Patna Taramandal runs 8 shows daily: 11:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:20 PM, 3:20 PM, 4:20 PM, 5:20 PM, and 6:20 PM. English shows run at 11:00 AM and 6:20 PM; the rest are in Hindi. The planetarium is closed on Mondays.
How many shows run daily now? Eight shows daily, in Hindi and English, rotating between three films: Astroid Mission Extreme, Voyager, and We Are Stars.
How many people visit Patna Planetarium daily? More than 1,500 on average, with peak crowds reaching around 2,000.
What is the seating capacity? 225 seats, reduced from 261 for a better viewing experience.
What is the current ticket price? Tickets range from ₹60–100 for adults and ₹30–50 for children/students, depending on the show. School groups get discounted rates. Book online at dstbihar.softelsolutions.in for the exact price by category.
How do I book tickets online? Visit the official Bihar DST booking portal at dstbihar.softelsolutions.in, select Taramandal, Patna, choose your date and preferred show time, and complete payment online.