Pragpur - The first heritage village of India :

The old-fashioned yet appealing village located in Himachal Pradesh’s scenic valley of Kangra, Paragpur is the first heritage village of India certified by the state government in 1997. The small village founded in the 16th century by the Kuthiala Soods in memory of Princess ‘Prag Dei’ of the Jaswan Royal family is India’s first heritage village, which is also renowned for Kangra School of Paintings.

Located at an attitude of 2000 ft above sea level, Paragpur ideally suited to explore Kangra valley is home to many places of historic, religious and cultural importance within easy reach.

Why is Pragpur called the first heritage village of India ?

The first heritage village of India, Paragpur was named after Princess Parag Die, who revolted against the Mughal Empire. Ruled by both Mughals and British, this village very well sustains its distinct cultural values throughout the process. In December 1997, it was declared as the country’s first heritage village mainly because the locals have still held to the same roots and heritage. Most of the places like shops, streets water bodies and houses remain in their places unchanged, affected.

History :

Pragpur was founded in the late 16th century by the Patials in memory of Princess Prag Dei of the Jaswan Royal family. The area of Pragpur was part of the principality of Jaswan whose chief, in the late 16th or early 17th century, charged a band of learned men, led by a Kuthiala Sood, to find a suitable place to commemorate Princess 'Prag' of his royal lineage.

Pragpur is an ornamental village with unchanged shops, cobblestone streets, old water tanks, mud-plastered walls and slate-roofed houses. The narrow streets, lined with fort-like houses, havelis and villas, are indicative of the area's aged charisma. Due to its unique architecture and pristine beauty, the state government of Himachal Pradesh declared Pragpur as the country's first Heritage Village in December 1997.

Prag means "pollen" in Sanskrit and pur means "full of", so Prag-pur means "full of pollen", which rightly describes the area when it is ablaze with blossoms in spring.

Along with Pragpur, the nearby village of Garli is a part of the Heritage Zone. The Judges Court is a resort built in a typical Anglo-Indian style of architecture. It stands in 12 acres of greens, and is just a short walk from the village core and the Taal. Apart from the Judges Court, which was built in 1918, Mr Lal has restored his 300-year-old ancestral house.

Nearby attractions :

Taal : Taal or pond forms the core of Pragpur village and serves as a recreational space for young and likeminded people. Founded in 1864 AD, it is surrounded by historical structures like Nehar Bhawan (250-year-old) and Naun (dating back to 1864). The committee, which has been recording its meeting since 1864, is responsible for the maintenance of the ancient water system.

Judge’s Court : The splendid country manor supporting Indo-European tradition design belongs to visionary Justice Sir Jai Lal. Standing in 12 acres of green land, the manor is now converted into a heritage hotel managed by Vijai and Rani Lal. The two-storey brick-red mansion has six spacious rooms furnished with period furniture and paintings.

Butail Niwas : Constructed by Lala Buta Mal, a descendant of Chaujjar Sood clan, the Butail Niwas highlight the perfect blend of North Indian and colonial architectural styles. The building with six identical apartments was constructed for his six sons. The house towered by red-brick outer walls and beautifully carved wooden doors still highlights the golden time.

Dada Siba Temple : Situated approximately 22 km from Paragpur, the temple dedicated to Radha Krishna is an ancient temple famous for its murals. Started by Raja Gobind Singh and completed by Raja Ram Singh, the walls and ceilings are covered with Lord Krishna legends.

Still and excellent exhibition of the good old times, Paragpur and its local residents have made sure to keep its cultural heritage intact. The unspoiled looks not only tell the ancient glory of the village, but also times and civilizations it has seen rise and fall in front of it. The Paragpur heritage committee makes sure that it stays the same and does not lose its charm. This has turned out to be a great source of employment for locals. One can easily see the unaffected shops, cobbled stone streets, old water tanks, mud plastered walls and slate-roofed houses, giving you chance to relive our old history.

Accessible in all seasons and year-round, January and September are the best months to visit this place. Lohri and Nakki ka Mela (Wrestling) that steer the festive spirit of the village are two happy times celebrated in high spirits by locals.

So in Paragpur it seems to travel back in time to evoke the nostalgic sense of magnificence and glory of history, will see how well this small, old-fashioned village is preserved.