The Bhuri Singh Museum is located in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, and was established in 1908 to preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage. It was named after the former king Raja Bhuri Singh and houses his extensive art collection. The museum is home to over 8,500 artworks depicting Chamba’s art, history, archaeology, and more, along with other unique pieces such as paintings inspired by ancient scriptures like the Ramayana and Bhagwat Purana. Furthermore, alongside arts and crafts, the museum also contains musical instruments, coins, jewellery, traditional clothing, etc. used by the locals.
About Bhuri Singh Museum
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One of the main attractions of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, the Bhuri Singh Museum was established in 1908 to preserve and showcase the region’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. The museum, primarily set up by the Dutch Sanskritist Dr. J. Ph. Vogel, was named after King Raja Bhuri Singh of the former Chamba State and mostly consists of his massive art collection which is a real testament to the region’s rich artistic heritage, culture, history, anthropology as well as archaeology. Today, the Bhuri Singh Museum is home to over 8,500 pieces of art and craft and these include coins, armour, clothing items, jewellery, and musical instruments that have been used by the locals over the years.
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Collections At The Museum
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The ground floor of the museum features the Chamba Art Gallery containing artworks and antiquities that shed light on the impressive craftsmanship of the region’s arts and crafts while also depicting the influence of the Kashmir region on Chamba’s art. On the first floor of the Bhuri Singh Museum are numerous miniature paintings which are popular not only in Chamba but in Himachal Pradesh too. These paintings belong to different schools of Pahari art from the 17th to 19th century AD such as Guler, Basholi, and Kangra. The second and final floor is where the Gallery of Cultural Anthropology and Numismatics is located. It consists of coins from the ancient and medieval periods displayed; this display aims to narrate Chamba’s economic, political, and even social situation during these periods.
Location, Timings & Entry Fee Of The Museum
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The Bhuri Singh Museum is located in the heart of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, near the Zonal Hospital Road. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM on all days except Mondays. The entry fee to the museum is different for Indian and foreign visitors. While for the former, the entry fee is INR 50, it is INR 150 for the latter. Moreover, the entry fee for visitors below the age of 10 is INR 30. It is also important to note that visitors must buy a ticket to be able to take pictures or videos, be it using a mobile phone or a camera. The camera ticket costs INR 100 for Indian visitors, INR 200 for foreign visitors, and INR 50 per photo for research scholars. Moreover, general videography costs INR 2000 while commercial videography costs INR 10,000.
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Galleries & Exhibits At The Museum
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The Bhuri Singh Museum is quite a treat for those who love art since it is divided into seven galleries which are spread out across its three floors, each containing different kinds of artifacts. The following are the museum’s galleries:
- Chamba History Gallery
- Archaeology Gallery
- Pahari Painting Gallery
- Numismatic Gallery
- Old Photographs Gallery
Below is a list of the museum’s different kinds of artefacts and antiquities:
- Fountain Stone Slabs
- Jewellery
- Arms and Armour
- Wood Carvings
- Textiles and Chamba Rumal
What’s interesting is that the museum is also working on providing virtual tours of the premises for those who cannot visit. These virtual tours would feature high-quality and detailed visuals of the museum’s different galleries and exhibits, making it very easy to study them from anywhere.
Activities Organised At The Museum
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The Bhuri Singh Museum is dedicated not only to preserving Chamba’s artistic and cultural heritage but also to promoting and educating people through different activities and programs. When it comes to initiatives aimed at children, the museum is known for its outreach programs curated for school students as well as special screenings of movies and documentaries. As part of its goal to educate people about Himachal Pradesh’s rich heritage, the museum is known to organize seminars and lectures not only on the region’s art but also on its history, culture, anthropology, and archaeology.
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Now that you have an idea of all that the Bhuri Singh Museum has to offer and are ready for your visit, you can begin planning your trip to Himachal Pradesh to discover some of its other wonderful attractions. So book your tickets and get ready for an unforgettable trip!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bhuri Singh Museum
How long ago was the Bhuri Singh Museum founded?
The Bhuri Singh Museum was founded 116 years ago, in 1908. Its purpose is to promote and educate the people about Himachal Pradesh’s rich heritage.
On which days is the Bhuri Singh Museum closed?
Besides Mondays, the museum is also closed on all gazetted holidays. So do not forget to check the day and date.
How long does it take to explore all of Bhuri Singh Museum’s galleries?
It usually takes about 1 to 2 hours to see the entirety of the Bhuri Singh Museum. But it depends on when you go to the museum so if you go during rush hours, it may take longer
Does the museum have a gift shop?
The museum does have a gift shop as well as an online store where visitors can buy souvenirs.
What are some other places to visit in Chamba?
You can visit Manimahesh Lake, Chamera Dam, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Champavati Temple and Akhand Chandi Palace, amongst other places.
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