Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art, Manali

Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art, Manali Overview

Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art located in Manali has a beautiful collection of ancient and traditional heritage belonging to the region. Tourists find the museum a perfect place to get a glimpse into the ancient way of life of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

The antique artefacts on display give insights into the long forgotten art, handicraft and the ancient culture of the state. This draws not just tourists but also researchers from all over the world to study the ancient civilization. History buffs are bound to find the attraction very appealing, and this is a perfect place to visit with kids to introduce them to the rich heritage of Himachal Pradesh.

The eclectic Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art has a unique collection on display that includes traditional apparel, jewellery, accessories, utensils, furniture, traditional household items, musical instruments, handloom, etc. Some of these artefacts are still used in some rural parts of the state but aren't found anywhere else. The well-kept items open the doors to the times gone by. So, whether one visits to gain knowledge of the early inhabitants of Himachal Pradesh or to get inspired, this is the place to be while visiting Manali.

History of Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art

The idea of establishing a museum to preserve the culture of Himachal Pradesh which was either extinct or on the verge of becoming extinct was proposed before 1990. In 1990, the work of collecting these valuable items began. J.R.Sood, the founder of the museum travelled extensively through the entire state to research and collected rare and antique artefacts of great traditional value.

His research allowed him to put together a collection which is not found anywhere else in the region. The Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art was established in 1998 and has been open to the public ever since.

How To Reach Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art

Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art is located right next to Hadimba Temple, in Utopia Complex in Manali. It takes about thirteen minutes to reach the museum from the central region of the town. One can take a local bus ride or rent a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the destination. Renting motorbikes is another option here. They cost anything between INR 1000 to 1800 per day and are a convenient option to use for exploring the city. If one chooses to reach the museum by private or self-driven vehicles, they can take the route through NH 3 and Hadimba Temple Road.

Museum Collections

The eclectic Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art has a unique collection on display that includes traditional apparel, jewellery, accessories, utensils, furniture, traditional household items, musical instruments, handloom, etc. There are also models of the ancient houses and temples that help tourists know how the early generations of the region lived and survived. Some of these artefacts are still used in some rural parts of the state but aren't found anywhere else.

The museum also has a beautiful collection of handicraft from the lost times that include painting, woodwork, traditional masks made of wood, etc. Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art has been appreciated for inventing a technique to preserve the antique wooden masks.