HIMACHAL STATE MUSEUM

Nestled in the heart of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India stands a prominent cultural institution, The Himachal State Museum. Also known as Shimla State Museum, the museum is situated atop Mount Pleasant, situated on Mall Road.

Founded in 1974, this museum is housed in a colonial building, which reflects British architecture and has sprawling lawns surrounding it. The well-maintained grounds contribute to the tranquil atmosphere, affording visitors a picturesque vista of the majestic Himalayan scenery.

The Museum houses a rich collection of artefacts which are related to the state's cultural, artistic, archaeological and historical heritage. As you explore the various galleries of the museum, you will be able to witness ancient coins, sculptures, photos, paintings, handicrafts and many more. Additionally, the museum exhibits traditional attire, jewellery, as well as arms and armour from Himachal, offering a comprehensive exploration of the region's rich culture. For those interested in an immersive experience, Himachal Pradesh packages often include guided tours of this museum, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the fascinating history and traditions of the region.

Highlights

• Get a glimpse of Himachal’s rich culture, history, archaeology and art while visiting the Himachal State Museum.
• Explore its 5 main galleries - the Prehistoric, Wall Painting, Wood-Carving, Numismatic and Archaeology.
• Walk into the Mahatma Gandhi Gallery to take a look at various photographs of Gandhi which were taken during his 5 visits to Shimla.
• Go to the various art galleries to take a look at Mughal, Chamba, Rajasthani, Contemporary and Religious Paintings.
• View the miniature Pahari Paintings, which showcase artwork from various schools of art.

How To Reach

By Car: The Himachal State Museum is located 3.5 km away from the heart of Shimla. You can hire a taxi or a cab to reach the museum in 10 minutes via Circular Road.

By Foot: If you wish to walk to reach the museum from the centre of Shimla, you will need to walk 2.3 km via Mall Road. It will take you 40 minutes to reach the museum. 

By Bus: Take a bus to Shimla Old Bus Stand, which is 2 km away from the museum. You can reach the museum from the bus station by an auto rickshaw or car and reach in 6 minutes via Chaura Maidan Rd and Old Bus Stand Rd

By Train: Take a train to Shimla Railway Station, which is 1 km away from the museum. You can reach the museum from the train station with a 15-minute walk via State Museum Rd and Chaura Maidan Rd.

Best Time To Visit

The best day in the week to visit the Museum is from Tuesday to Friday on weekdays, when the crowd is less, and you can explore the museum without much hustle and bustle. The best time of the day is to visit the museum during its opening hours, when the crowd is less, and you will be able to explore the museum at a leisurely pace.

Other Essential Information

• If children below 10 years are visiting the museum with you, you can purchase their tickets at a discounted rate.
• The museum premises is huge and exploring it requires a lot of walking, so wear comfortable footwear.
• If you wish to do still or video photography inside the museum, you will need to take separate tickets for them.
• Before visiting, it is advisable to check the museum's schedule for any special exhibitions.
• To understand the exhibits and their history better, enquire about the availability of a guided tour.