Museum of Himachal

The Museum not only helped in preserving the culture and art but also brings awareness about the almost extinct traditions. The items exhibited here highlights the traditional way of life of the Himachal people. Under one roof it presents almost all aspects of the daily uses of the ancient Himachali people like clothes, stone mortar, earthen pots, hubble bubble, musical instruments, wooden carvings, weight scale, Kulluvi kitchen, traditional houses, handloom, ornaments etc

Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art is a stone's throw from Hidimba Devi Temple at Manali. It is located 2-3 km from Manali main town. The Museum was established in 1998 to collect and exhibit cultural and folk art antiques articles of Himachal Pradesh. But the initiative to collect articles of traditional values from all over Himachal began long time back in 1990. The Museum is housed at Utopia complex. J.R. Sood who founded the Museum traveled throughout the State to research, and collect ancient antique items. The Museum has an admirable collection of rare and almost extinct articles, which belonged to the forgotten era.

The Museum is a unique and extraordinary collection of unknown and rare antiques of the state. It demonstrates the almost extinct articles that clearly display the forgotten culture, art and handicraft of Himachal Pradesh. In the process of the Maskpreservation of the culture the museum has earned itself fame and place in the field of Art, Culture and Tourism of Himachal Pradesh.

The museum has not only helped in the preservation of the culture, but it has greatly influenced the public and has created awareness in their minds about the importance of their culture and handicraft. The museum is not just simply a collection of ancient antiquities but is the result of J. R. Sood’s (founder of the museum) research, intensive travel in the state, searching for several years for preserving the antiques and their history, use and importance in the olden days.

The Museum displays models of temples, old houses and forts, traditional dresses, utensils, musical and ritual instruments, wood carvings and various other articles. This rare collection helps in knowing more and exploring as well as analyzing the history, tradition, art and culture of our ancestors. It provides a vast knowledge about the old days and is an excellent mirror that reflects the culture and handicraft of the state. The museum has many interesting aspects, which are curious and unexplained, requiring more discussion and research. It offers an unrivalled opportunity for the research scholars in the field.