Himalayan Art Museum (Visit By Appointment) — Attraction in Himachal Pradesh

Sure, here is the translation into English:

Three months of thankga studies, which were like entering a tunnel. A tunnel that is unknown and mystical.

One might think that drawing a single picture is simply pulling lines, filling the area between the lines with color, and it's done. But the first sentence that Master Dr. Sarika said at the beginning of the course was that 10% is drawing, and the remaining 90% is what the drawn deity begins to create with you. I must not forget that I am bringing the deity to life and doing so through myself. You begin to embody it. Everything ahead goes into purification.

So it happened.

I chose White Tara for my first thankga. Before starting on White Tara, I had two weeks to practice drawings on paper. The first was the Buddha's head - I was surprised when I noticed how thoughts dictated the quality of the line - every thought that jumped into my head brought a jolt to the line. It was two weeks of training in the silence of the mind. Additionally, Dr. Sarika gave us meditations in ancient Indian language, which started working with the subconscious - organizing and aligning it.

The meditation was a museum, a temple of deities hanging on the walls. Master Locho and Dr. Sarika had done years of research and painting on them. It was truly an incomprehensible experience to see them, and it was impossible to take in their dedication, beauty, and time in one viewing. Three months of drawing and painting my own thankga, I slowly began to understand the incomprehensible creation of these two masters and their team.

After two weeks of drawing, I started with White Tara. Master Lobsang was my guide. He instructed me on how to create the canvas, how to mix pigments, how to shade. Every day, I was amazed by the brevity of his words, yet their precision, providing exactly the information I needed at that moment.

The entire museum area, with its rooms and landscaping, caused confusion in my mind. I couldn't exactly understand which country I was in. The overall design made me feel like I was in a Japanese architectural dream, using Tibetan symbols and colors. Energetically, it felt like a sacred place where monks had meditated for centuries. It is hard to imagine a better environment for such a transformation.

The whole team, including Dr. Sarika, Master Locho, and Master Lobsang, quickly became like my family. I felt protected and safe, cared for and loved.

The transformation that the creation of thankga led to continues to this day.

Thank you, Master Locho, Dr. Sarika, Master Lobsang, Master Bandana, Ashwini, Sunil, Rani Aunty, Abi, Sara, Melissa, Tom,...

Himalayan art Museum is a divine realm, right in the lap of the gorgeous mountains, surrounded by forest on one side and overlooking the valley of Dharamshala on the other. Nurturing the world's most precious art form of traditional Buddhist Thangka Painting and hosting some of the most iconic, finest pieces for the world to witness and learn from.

I visited the place with my friend, in March 2022 and fell in love with it, that I ended up staying there for almost an year. Master Locho and Sarika ma'am are the finest and most compassionate masters I could ever pray for. I have and continue to learn so much from them. I was lucky to have worked closely with Sarika ma'am and realised how much effort and what a pure heart goes into creating such spaces for human mind to rest and hearts to heal. Master Locho is an example of the divine in human form, pure joy for life and devotion to his work, its incredibly enriching just to watch him paint. Great masters indeed.

I learned Thangka Painting at the Thangde Gatsal school of Thangka Painting, while volunteering for the Center for Living Buddhist art and Himalayan Art museum, for about an year. Its all in one place. I was surrounded by the most genuine and authentic people with heartwarming stories. Lobsang la, is a senior artist there and has been an integral part of my learning there in his friendly and earnest way.

I experienced: the art of Thangka painting, Tibetan culture, Losar celebrations, the consecration ceremonies, local culture, learnt about Buddhism, about flowers, birds, its never ending list.

The most transformational year of my life yet! The inner qualities I could even hope to develop are immeasurable. The peace, the love, the joy and the learnings have become a part of me now. I get emotional as I write this, but I cannot thank my stars enough that I landed here somehow. My entire life has changed and so have I.

One would feel soaked in bliss even after a few minutes here. They have great programs for an annual Retreats, the richest online and on location courses. If you wish to study and research Thangka Painting, experience a life in the mountains or just want to see some of the most incredible pieces of fine art, its worth every breath of one's life.

There is a small in house shop you may not want to miss, its possible you would want to take a few cards for your friends, and the highest quality archival canvas prints for yourself!

Take a lot of pictures and its sure you will want...

I stayed as a guest here for one month. The atmosphere is rich in many ways; museum, art studio, outdoor environment, accommodation, food and people.

The museum gives you a chance to learn about traditional painting and see the whole process involved to create a thangka. The paintings themselves are such an excellent collection, representing historical paintings of Tara from the early times upto the modern day interpretations of the diety. A historical journey of paintings you would otherwise have to travel far and wide to see.

The art studio is a chance to see students and master paint. Ask questions and see the painting real time. I spoke to the students and learned they loved being there and had extended their stays or had studied there many times.

Outdoors the peaceful grounds are beautiful, filled with plants and a refuge for birds. The views of the valley and sunsets are wonderful. Above the property you can hike up to manicured tea gardens home to huge trees and wildlife, villages and temples. Below you can hike through picturesque rice fields.

The accomodations are comfortable and clean. The spaces are filled with hand painted furniture and walls. The charming atmosphere is welcoming like home.

The home cooked meals are satisfying and nourishing. I looked forward to eating everday.

What I loved most were the people. The students came from all different places and were great to talk with. The friendly staff gave excellent tours to visitor, I watch many people leave awstruck.

The owners are true gems, devoting their lives to this artform, spiritual practice and this property. There us so much to imbibe and soak in from the knowledge they share to the atmosphere they have created. The experiences waiting for you here are well worth the effort to go off the beaten track...