Photo Essay on the Toilet Museum in Delhi

A toilet is not something you associate with museum even though you expect a toilet in every museum. In fact, you expect a neat, clean, accessible toilet in all public places you visit, so much so that you may shun a place which doesn’t have one. Public convenience, as these facilities are often called in public places, toilets and sanitation have been championed as a cause by the Sulabh (convenient) International non-governmental organisation. Transcending the mundane notion of a museum, you can visit the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets in Delhi which is a museum with a difference.

This one of its kind toilet museum offers an unconventional journey through the annals of sanitation history, this museum stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the evolution of hygiene practices. Founded by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, a visionary social reformer, the museum showcases a fascinating array of toilet-related artifacts spanning centuries and continents. From ancient chamber pots to modern flush toilets, each exhibit narrates a unique story, shedding light on the cultural, technological, and social dynamics surrounding the most fundamental aspect of human life. This photo essay attempts to capture and explore this intriguing museum which will sensitize you on the need and challenges for providing safe sanitation to all.

Poverty is no bar to perfect sanitation. The lavatories of even the poorest of the poor ought to be as clean and neat as a library or the kitchen. There should not be a trace of dirt or foul smell in it. – Mahatma Gandhi