Visitors Information
- Famous for: History, Photography, Information
- Entrance Fee:10 per person for Indians and Rs.50 per person for foreigners
- Visiting Time: 10 AM to 1:30 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM (Open every day except Mondays)
- Visit Duration: 1 hour to 2 hours
The riveting Kangra Art Museum is located at the center of Dharamshala in the quaint state of Himachal Pradesh. A must visit place for art lovers and history buffs, this museum has a great collection which embodies various cultures especially that of the Tibetans, due to its close proximity to Tibet. The place is attractive not only for the wealth of information that it can offer on the region’s past, but also for the pleasant location in which it is located. Containing a lot of artifacts which include but are not limited to ancient coins, glinting weapons and stunning sculptures, this place is definitely worth the time spent. The prime attraction of the museum are the miniature paintings which have to be looked into for its intricate and mesmerizing work. The museum also hosts some space where artists can be found painting and displaying their work.
Traveler Tips
- Be ready to be flooded with a lot of information on Tibetan, Buddhist and Kangra’s history.
- If visiting in winter, make sure to wear warm clothing and comfortable footwear to walk around the premises.
Things to Do
- The museum is a photography haven for history lovers as they can photograph more than 1500 artifacts which are on display for visitors to marvel at.
- Gorge on the history of the region with the plethora of artifacts which include sculptures, textiles, jewelry and anthropological elements of fascination.
- If you’re an artist, you can enroll in their certification courses and learn more about the artwork of artists from all over the country and even display your work.
- Visit the local bazaar and collect many of the local, ethnic goods being sold by vendors.
- Try out all the eateries in and around the area for a taste of the local, mouth-watering cuisines.
Availability of Guides
There are no guides available around the museum. The artifacts have information boards and can be easily read to understand their importance. So, the unavailability of guides will not affect your sightseeing.
Best Time to Visit
Since the location is basically a hill station, the best time to visit would be during the summer months from March to July to escape the scorching heat of the other places in the country. The winters here are extremely chilly with snow as the temperature drops below zero degrees. Visiting the museum in the morning is apt to stroll over and look at all the items on display till afternoon.
How to Reach
The Museum is present right in the center of the city at the Kotwali Bazaar. It can be easily reached by cabs and auto rickshaws from any corner of the city of Dharamshala. Moreover, it is just at a distance of about 35 kilometers from Palampur with many buses stopping at the museum due to its importance as a prime tourist location.
Interesting Facts and Trivia About the Kangra Art Museum
- This remarkable Museum was set up and open to the public in 1990 and now boasts a good collection of almost 1500 artifacts.
- The Museum hosts artifacts from a wide timeline which includes paintings from the 17th century, artifacts from the 5th century, and even works of modern artists.
- There are also some photos from way back in 1905 of the earthquake which struck Kangra.
- Many artifacts which pertain to the tribal culture of the area including carvings on wood and clothing are on display here.
- Even the life of the royalty of the region is on display like their palanquins, clothing and weapons used in the wars.
Nearby Attractions
- Dharamshala
- Mcleodganj
- Naam Art Gallery
- Truind
- Bhagsunath Temple
Nearby Restaurants
- Lung Ta
- Tibet Kitchen
- Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen
- Namgyal Café
- Xcite
The stunning location and the plethora of information within the dainty museum is what makes the museum a hit amongst visitors from all over the country. The library and the separate secdtion hosting the prodigal work of modern artists has to be visited for an eye-opening experience. The rich culture and history of our past is on vivid display in this breathtaking museum.
