📍 Location: Hatnala Gali, Chowgan Mohalla, Chamba Town
📅 Season: Year-round; best visited March–June and September–November
A museum where every gallery is a whisper from the past, and every artifact a thread in Chamba’s cultural tapestry
🕰️ Origins and Legacy
Named after Raja Bhuri Singh, the museum was founded with his personal collection of miniature paintings, manuscripts, and royal memorabilia. Dutch Sanskritist Dr. J. Ph. Vogel played a key role in curating and organizing the museum’s early exhibits.
🏛️ It was created to preserve the scattered heritage of the Chamba princely state, and now houses over 8,500 artifacts across three floors.
🖌️ Galleries and Highlights
The museum is divided into seven thematic galleries, each offering a unique lens into Chamba’s soul:
- Pahari Painting Gallery: Features works from Basohli, Guler, and Kangra schools, including scenes from the Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana
- Chamba History Gallery: Showcases Sarda script copper plates, royal costumes, and carved palace doors
- Numismatic Gallery: Coins from ancient and medieval periods narrating Chamba’s economic and political evolution
- Chamba Rumal & Textile Gallery: Embroidered handkerchiefs that blend art and ritual
- Anthropology Gallery: Musical instruments, jewelry, and tools used by locals across generations
- Old Photographs Gallery: Rare images of British Indian regiments, Chamba royalty, and temple architecture
🎓 Activities and Outreach
The museum isn’t just static—it’s educational and interactive:
- Workshops for school children
- Seminars on Himalayan art and archaeology
- Special exhibitions like regimental photo showcases and cultural screenings
- Reference library for researchers and heritage enthusiasts
🧭 Plan Your Visit
| 🕒 Timings | 🎟️ Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed Mondays & Gazetted Holidays) | ₹50 (Indian), ₹150 (Foreigner), ₹30 (Child under 10) |
| 📸 Camera Ticket | ₹100 (Indian), ₹200 (Foreigner) |
| 🎥 Videography | ₹2000 (General), ₹10,000 (Commercial) |
How to Reach:
- Nearest airport: Gaggal (Kangra) ~130 km
- Nearest railhead: Pathankot ~120 km
- Road: Well-connected via buses and taxis from Dalhousie, Dharamshala, and Shimla
✨ Why It Belongs in Your Guide
Bhuri Singh Museum is:
- A living archive of Chamba’s royal and folk heritage
- A visual pilgrimage for lovers of Pahari art and Himalayan anthropology
- A quiet gem that balances scholarship with storytelling
It’s not just a museum—it’s Chamba’s memory palace, waiting to be explored.
