Pragpur, Himachal Pradesh
Discover Pragpur
The small ornamental village of Pragpur lies in the shadows of the majestic snow-capped Dhauladhar range in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Pragpur came into the spotlight in December 1997 when it was certified by the state government as a heritage village, the first of its kind in India.
The village dates back to the 16th century when it was founded to commemorate Princess Prag Dei, the wife of Rajpura’s prince, who bravely resisted plunderers and pillagers. Pragpur gets its name from the Sanskrit words Prag (“pollen”) and pur (“full of”), meaning “full of pollen”, referring to the village when it is in full glorious bloom in the spring.
Things to do in Pragpur
- Wander around the village taking in the architecture. Pragpur is home to a fascinating range of architectural styles, making it an architectural delight. Here you’ll find a myriad of elegant beautifully carved Havelis, Portuguese-style mansions and British and Italian inspired buildings, set amongst mud-plastered and slate-roofed houses. You can also spot ornamental villas, temples, antiquated water tanks and prehistoric structures as you weave your way through the narrow cobbled streets of the village
- Lala Rerumal Haveli. Built in 1931, the gorgeous Lala Rerumal Haveli is a must see tourist spot. This beautiful palace with its intricate architecture is enclosed in a Mughal-style garden filled with colourful orchids and vibrant greenery. The haveli also has a large water reservoir and a terrace with spectacular views over Pragpur
- Religious Buildings. Satisfy your spiritual side with a visit to the three nearby shakti peethas (shrines of the Mother Goddess), Chhinnamastika Dham (also known as Chintpurni Mata temple), Jwalamukhi temple and Brajeswari temple to receive blessings. You can also see the Shakti Mandir temple with ancient script encrypted on the walls, the Butail Mandir, and the historic courtyards of the Sood Clans.
- Buy some local handicrafts. If you’re looking for souvenirs, Pragpur is a shopper’s paradise offering a range of beautiful local crafts to take home. Visit the market to see the silversmiths at work selling traditional curios and trinkets, alongside basket makers, painters, musicians, tailors and weavers.
The best way to see Pragpur
If you would like to visit Pragpur, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays? Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.
