Munish Sood
Mandi
Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has earned national recognition in the field of photography as two photographers from the region won top honors at the 45th National Online Photography Exhibition and Competition–2026, organized by Manikarnika Art Gallery.
Veteran photographer and senior journalist Birbal Sharma clinched the Gold Medal, while Rajeev Bahl, another noted photographer from Mandi, was awarded the Silver Medal, bringing pride to the district and the state.
The prestigious all-India competition was held from January 13 to January 22, 2026, with results announced on January 23. Photographers from across India, including West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, participated in the event.
Gold Medal for Birbal Sharma’s Himachal-Themed Frames
Birbal Sharma submitted five photographs for the competition, all reflecting the rich natural beauty and social life of Himachal Pradesh. His entries featured
• Prashar Lake,
• Shangarh (Kullu),
• Saryol Sar,
• and a compelling image from the literacy campaign showing a school-going girl from Chauharghati.
The jury selected Sharma’s photographs depicting Shangarh in Kullu district and the Chauharghati school-going girl as the best entries, awarding him first place and the Gold Medal.
Silver Medal for Mandi’s Rajeev Bahl
Adding to Mandi’s achievement, Rajeev Bahl was awarded the Silver Medal for his outstanding photographic work in the same national competition. His selection among photographers from across the country underlined the growing creative excellence emerging from Himachal Pradesh.
Resilience Behind the Recognition
Birbal Sharma’s success is marked by resilience and dedication. Despite his renowned Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery being vandalized twice in the past, he continued documenting Himachal’s landscapes, heritage, and everyday life with unwavering commitment.
Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery: A Cultural Asset
A native of Musalana Kalan village in Hamirpur district, Birbal Sharma established the Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery on April 24, 1997, at Bindrabani near Mandi on National Highway-21.
The gallery is
• the only photo gallery of its kind in North India,
• officially listed among India’s 569 registered museums,
• and featured in the Directory of Museums.
So far, over 350,000 Indian and international tourists have visited the gallery, making it a significant cultural and tourism landmark in the region.
National Platform for Indian Photography
The Manikarnika Art Gallery’s national online exhibition aims to provide photographers from across India a common platform to showcase their work and gain recognition. The success of both Birbal Sharma and Rajeev Bahl from Mandi highlights the district’s growing presence on the national photography map.
