English: We have been engaged for the collection of articles and traditional heritage from different parts of Himachal Pradesh since 1990. We have collected many types of cultural and folk art antiques articles of Himachal cultural heritage. The museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art was established in Utopia Complex, Near Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali in the year 1998. Traditional dresses, utensils, musical and ritual instruments, wood carvings and all other traditional articles used by the people of HP in their day to day functioning, which are at the verge of extinction now, are present and exhibited in the museum. All these above mentioned items are basically handwork of the people of Himachal Pradesh representing the rich handicraft era of the state. The presence of a museum in the complex itself makes it very attractive to the visitors.

The Museum is a unique and extraordinary collection of unknown and rare antiques of the state. It demonstrates the almost extinct articles that clearly display the forgotten culture, art and handicraft of Himachal Pradesh. In the process of the preservation of the culture the museum has earned itself fame and place in the field of Art, Culture and Tourism of Himachal Pradesh. The museum has not only helped in the preservation of the culture, but it has greatly influenced the public and has created awareness in their minds about the importance of their culture and handicraft. The museum is not just simply a collection of ancient antiquities but is the result of J. R. Sood’s (founder of the museum) research, intensive travel in the state, searching for several years for preserving the antiques and their history, use and importance in the olden days. The museum reveals a lot about the early human activities, their day-to-day life and their living style. It displays a variety of cultures under a single roof allowing the tourist or visitor to know more about the ancient Himachal. It reveals to the tourist and the young generation about the tradition, art and culture of the state. It also shows how rich our state was in the production of handicrafts in handlooms, wood carvings, stone vessels, utensils, house construction, and other day to day work of life.

The Museum displays models of temples, old houses and forts, traditional dresses, utensils, musical and ritual instruments, wood carvings and various other articles. This rare collection helps in knowing more and exploring as well as analyzing the history, tradition, art and culture of our ancestors. It provides a vast knowledge about the old days and is an excellent mirror that reflects the culture and handicraft of the state. The museum has many interesting aspects, which are curious and unexplained, requiring more discussion and research. It offers an unrivalled opportunity for the research scholars in the field.