Himachal State Museum, Shimla
State museum in the colonial Inverarm house, known for Pahari miniature paintings, sculpture, coins and crafts.
Overview
The Himachal State Museum is one of the best places in Shimla to learn about the region's art and history. Housed in the colonial Inverarm building, it holds miniature paintings, sculptures and coins.
The Himachal State Museum occupies Inverarm, a Victorian house on a hilltop west of the town centre. During the Raj it was a hot-season residence for senior officials, and it was also used to house overflow guests of the Viceroy. The state bought and restored the building, and the museum opened in 1974. The District Administration places it about 2.5 km west of Scandal Point, with the Viceregal Lodge a further 2 km on.
The collection covers the cultural history of Himachal Pradesh and nearby regions. It includes Pahari and other Indian miniature paintings, stone and wood sculpture, bronzes, archaeological finds, coins, jewellery, manuscripts, postage stamps, textiles and weapons. There is also a library of historical books and manuscripts. The building sits in a garden, and the walk up is short but steep.
It pairs well with the Viceregal Lodge on the same side of town, but both are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Entry fees
Entry
Adult (Indian)
Indian adults. Sources conflict: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism) lists Rs 20; the museum’s own booking page lists Rs 100 / Rs 50 under ambiguous labels (undated). No amount is stored until confirmed.
Source: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism) – Himachal State Museum & Library
Amount needs verification
Adult (foreign national)
Foreign nationals. Sources conflict: Incredible India lists Rs 100; the museum’s own booking page lists Rs 150 / Rs 200 under ambiguous labels (undated). No amount is stored until confirmed.
Source: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism) – Himachal State Museum & Library
Amount needs verification
Travel sites mention a camera fee of about Rs 50 (Indians) / Rs 100 (foreigners), but no official source confirms it, so no row is included. Child and student rates not found. The official museum website's online booking section (accessed 2026-09-28) lists different, ambiguously labelled amounts (e.g. Indian Visitor Rs 100 and India Visitor Rs 50, Child below 10 Rs 30, Foreign Visitor Rs 150 and Foreigner Rs 200, Research Scholars Rs 50, videography Rs 2,000/10,000) with no date; because official sources disagree, no entry amount is shown. Confirm at the counter.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
- Mon
- Closed
- Tue – Sun
- 10 AM – 5 PM
- Closed on Mondays
Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Mondays and gazetted/public holidays.
Also closed on gazetted holidays (District Administration). Hours confirmed by Incredible India. The official museum website gives the same hours (10 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Mondays and holidays).
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- Year-round
- Best time of day
- Morning, combined with the Viceregal Lodge
- How long to spend
- 1.5–2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Location
Inverarm, near Chaura Maidan, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
31.10333, 77.15083
Get directionsPhotos
Himachal State Museum. Photo: SpeakingArch / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Museum entry gate. Photo: Satpal Dandiwal / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Inverarm, home of the Himachal State Museum. Photo: Dgp4004 / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 Gallery inside the Himachal State Museum. Photo: Rajani Gairshail / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Victorian letter box at the museum. Photo: Utkarshraj Atmaram / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Frequently asked questions
What are the Himachal State Museum timings?
10 AM to 5 PM, closed on Mondays and gazetted holidays.
What is the entry fee?
Incredible India lists Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners.
How far is it from the Mall?
The District Administration places it about 2.5 km west of Scandal Point.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 28 September 2026
Not yet confirmed
- camera fee
- fees vary across secondary sites
- current ticket prices: official booking page lists ambiguous categories (Rs 50–200) that conflict with Incredible India's Rs 20/100
- entry fee amounts (official sources conflict)
Not available yet
- child/student rates
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