The Roerich Art Gallery
Permanent exhibition of the original paintings of Nicholas Roerich and Svetoslav Roerich is set up in the former Roerich’s House, on it’s ground floor, in three halls (former Nicholas Roerich’s studio and George Roerich’s office).
The IRMT Gallery has 37 original paintings of Nicholas Roerich, and 11 paintings of Svetoslav Roerich. >>>
The Roerichs house
Around the House a balcony has been constructed 9 years ago, and visitors can see (through the windows) inner arrangement of the rooms as it was during the Roerich’s times – beautifully carved furniture, shelves with books, different paintings, icons and various old things hanged on the walls, sculptures and huge crystals which were special passion of the Roerichs.
Attached to the back side of the Roerich House, a small garage has been added, where the old car of the Roerichs was placed after it was repaired by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Delhi. Old Dodge is only getting more precious as the years pass by – and is a real attraction for the tourists. >>>
Stone sculptures
Outside the House, under the ancient cedar tree, an open air temple attracts the visitors. Every morning an old Pujari chants his mantras, smears the statues of Guga Chohan and his divine family with sandalwood paste and blows a shell….it is a tradition which was never interrupted from the Roerich’s times.
“Guga Chohan is one of the mighty protectors of the Kullu valley. There is his statue on the horseback, and also the goddess Kali, Rishi Kartik, and Narsing — the guardian of this place. We assembled their images around our house, bringing them from the old, ruined temple”, wrote Nicholas Roerich.
The open-air temple, dedicated to Guga-Chohan and his mythologic family, was set up by the Roerichs themselves. Originally though, the statues were placed differently. In front of the old Cedar tree was the sculpture of Rani Raj Mata — the great sister of Guga Chohan, the Protector of the Valley, mighty warrior. Nicholas Roerich is often portrayed in front of Raj Mata statue.
During big celebrations, Shanti Puja is being held at this temple. Every year, Devta of Guga Chohan from the nearby Temple dedicated to Guga Chohan, is coming in a procession to the Hall Estate to visit his Sister - it is happening only once during the year — on Rakha bandana festival — festival of sister and brother. Accompanied by the local band and the care-takers, Devta is being brought to Rani Raj Mata. Usually, either the main care taker, or anyone else close to the Devta, falls into a transe and it is believed that Guga Chohan starts speaking or prophesizing through that particular person. >>>
Samadhi place
An open ground is situated down on the hill side from the Roerichs House. Here visitors can see a big memorial rock, dedicated to the great Master — on this place after his Departure, as says the inscription in Hindi language on the rock, "The body of Maharishi Nicholas Roerich, a great friend of India, was consecrated to fire on this spot on the 15th of December 1947. OM RAM". From this holy place are opened the most solemn and beautiful views of the Kullu Valley. Devika Rani Roerich's Samadhi is also here >>>
Urusvati buildings and the Folk Art Museum
From the wayside, little further from the main entry to the Hall Estate, to the right starts a long path, climbing to the top of the Naggar hill. Two buildings are situated here - famous Urusvati Himalayan Institute was functioning there in 1930-ies. It was established by the Roerichs after their Central Asiatic expedition in 1928. Institute was dedicated to investigations in different spheres of knowledge: natural sciences, oriental studies, ethnography. Nature and cultural traditions of the Kullu region were also in the special focus of the Institute. Currently, these buildings are restored: older building is turned into the Himalayan Folk Art Museum, and exhibits a number of original, ancient sculptures collected by the Roerichs, as well as contemporary traditional folk costumes, cultural and ethnographical objects from the Kullu valley and other mountain regions; the building of the Biochemical laboratory contains exhibition halls, Library, Archive rooms, and it also serves as the headquarters of Helena Roerich Art College. >>>
Tickets and open hours:
The IRMT is open every day except Monday.
SUMMER TIME: From April 01 till October 31, working hours: 10 AM till 6 PM.
WINTER TIME: From November 01 till March 31, working hours: 10 AM till 5 PM.
Lunch time break is from 1 Pm to 1.30 Pm.
One has to purchase Entry ticket at the Ticket Counter at the entry point to the Trust.
Children ticket – Rupees 20.
Adult ticket – Rupees 30.
Camera ticket – Rupees 25.
Video camera ticket - Rupees 60.
(Professional video camera is not allowed, special permission should be obtained either from the Government of Himachal Pradesh, India, or from the International Centre of the Roerichs, Moscow, Russia.)
