Shimla's Historic Bentoni Castle Transformed into Immersive Cultural Hub

The historic Bentoni Castle, once the office of the Director General of Police during the school days of the current chief minister, has been reborn as an immersive digital cultural hub. On July 11, the government unveiled the project, marking a new chapter for heritage tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

With an investment of approximately 8.5 crore rupees, the museum incorporates state‑of‑the‑art visualization tools that allow patrons to experience the province’s evolution—from colonial Shimla to contemporary Himachal—through interactive storytelling. Highlights include 3D reconstructions of the Kalka‑Shimla railway, a curated gallery of Nicholas Roerich’s paintings, and dynamic displays of local folk crafts.

The venue also dedicates sections to pivotal historical episodes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi era and the pioneering work of Dr. Y.S. Parmar in state formation. Sacred sites, traditional music, and regional culinary customs are presented in a format that encourages exploration by both domestic and foreign visitors.

Officials anticipate that the digital museum will become a magnet for educational trips and sightseeing tours, reinforcing Shimla’s reputation as a destination where history meets innovation.