The M. P. Birla Planetarium in Kolkata is the largest planetarium in India. It began operations on September 29, 1962, as an institution dedicated to education, science, and research in astronomy. The planetarium was formally inaugurated on July 2, 1963, by India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is situated on an acre of land leased from the West Bengal Government and has since become a landmark for astronomical learning and public outreach.

Since its establishment, the M. P. Birla Planetarium has designed and presented over 350 astronomical shows covering a wide array of topics, including astronomy, astrophysics, celestial mechanics, space science, the history of astronomy, and the mythology of stars and planets. It also operates an astronomical observatory equipped with a Celestron C-14 Telescope and accessories such as an ST6 CCD camera and solar filter, making it an important center for both public education and scientific research in India.