M. P. Birla

Planetarium

M. P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research

The M. P. Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is an iconic  structure whose architecture is based on the famous Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi. Situated at 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, adjacent to St. Paul’s Cathedral and near Victoria Memorial, it is a landmark in the city of Kolkata. The planetarium opened its door on 29th September 1962 and was formally inaugurated on 2nd July 1963 by  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India.

The initial Universal Planetarium Projector from Carl Zeiss, Germany, at the M. P. Birla Planetarium, was operational for approx 100,000 hrs during 52 years from its inception catering to 25 million visitors. To keep pace with modern technology the planetarium has been renovated in 2017 with one of the most advanced Carl Zeiss Hybrid Projection System.

Since 1993 M. P. Birla Planetarium has been brought under the aegis of an institute involved in research and academic activities in astronomy and astro physics. At present the M. P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research is engaged in planetarium and scientific activities and has been recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR, Govt. of India) as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO).

Planetarium today:

Hybrid Projector: Star Master ZMP Opto Mechanical coupled with 9 Ultra High Resolution VELVET Digital projectors

Dome: 23 metre diameter AstroTec (USA), made from high precision perforated Aluminum sheets

Seats: 570 push back progressively reclining seats in concentric arrangement

Current

Shows

Cosmic Collisions
A thrilling virtual reality experience in the M. P. Birla Planetarium, Cosmic Collisions launches visitors on an awe-inspiring trip through space and time to explore the hypersonic impacts that drive the dynamic and continuing evolution of the universe.
Viewers will witness collisions, past, present, and future, including the creation of our Moon some five billion years ago, a re-creation of the meteorite impact that hastened the end of the age of dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and a nail biting future scenario where humanity desperately attempts to divert the path of an oncoming asteroid on a collision course with earth!

REALM OF LIGHT

With astonishing, never-seen-before full dome images, REALM OF LIGHT takes us on an amazing journey through space and time, telling the story of life and evolution from the Big Bang up until the modern age of man. REALM OF LIGHT is a poetic and phenomenal adventure underscored with breathtaking music and sound effects – it is a truly unique full dome experience for the whole family that will amaze and inspire people of all ages through its reflection on the light that lives inside everything that exists.

WE ARE OPEN
WITH ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS AND REGULATIONS, FOR A SAFE VIEWING EXPERIENCE

SHOW TIMINGS

BENGALIHINDIENGLISH
3:00 PM12:00 PM1:00 PM
5:00 PM2:00 PM6:00 PM
4:00 PM