Here are some tips for discovering Indian culture in Budapest:

Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts

If you walk from the city centre towards Heroes' Square along Andrássy Avenue, Budapest's main boulevard (UNESCO World Heritage Site), be sure to visit the Hopp Museum. This small, friendly museum boasts the largest collection of Asian art in Hungary. Although the museum organises temporary exhibitions on different topics, if you enter the garden, you will have the chance to admire some sculptures representing Indian culture. Among others, you can meet Brahmā, the creator of the world, and a Jaina tīrthaṅkara in the lovely garden.

Tip for visitors: To reach the museum, take metro line 1 (the yellow line), the oldest metro line in continental Europe.

Oriental Collection, Hungarian Academy of Sciences

From Parliament, you can easily access the largest collection of Asian literature in Hungary, housed in the library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Perhaps the most remarkable part of the collection for scholars of Indian studies is the estate of Sir Aurel Stein, comprising around 2,300 books, various academic journals, photo albums, maps, and several Sanskrit manuscripts.

Tip for visitors: In front of the Academy building on Széchenyi Square, you can see an acacia tree that is over 220 years old, one of the oldest in the Hungarian capital. From there, walk to the Chain Bridge (officially the Széchenyi Chain Bridge) and check whether the stone lions have tongues.

Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden

The Budapest Zoo has been gifted two Indian sculptures. Gaṇeśa can be found in the Secessionist-style Elephants' House, while Durgā’s sculpture is situated next to the lions’ enclosure.

Tip for visitors: Don't miss the lions! As an engaged member of an international species conservation programme, the Budapest Zoo is proud of its Indian lions.

Garden of Philosophers

If you're looking for outdoor activities, you should hike up Gellért Hill to enjoy amazing panoramic views of the city. If you approach the hill from the Elizabeth Bridge, you will pass through the beautiful Garden of Philosophers on your way to the top. Here, you will find sculptures of Buddha, Bodhidharma and Mahatma Gandhi.

Tip for visitors: If you're travelling with children, the Gellért Hill Slide Park is also highly recommended.

Source of images:

https://www.kozterkep.hu/49487/brahma#vetito=563185

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=851478633676630&set=a.458849626272868

https://antalkiss.hupont.hu/40/varosliget-fovarosi-allat-es-novenykert

https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagner_N%C3%A1ndor#/media/F%C3%A1jl:The_Garden_of_Philosophy.jpg