ARCHITECTURE IN HIMACHAL

PRADESH
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Prominent Architectural Style: Kathkuni Or Kathkundi & Colonial Architectures
Main Attraction: Heritage Hotels
O Himachal Guide
The Absolute Style
Like true Iolk architecture all over the world, Himachal's indigenous architecture once seemed
quite immutable. It had grown out oI the land, IulIilled local needs, used local materials, drew on
local culture and within its own Irame, was highly evolved and Iunctional. Over the centuries,
building methods had successIully discharged domestic, temporal and religious requirements.
Today, changes are there, but the tradition and skills remain as strong as ever.

Over a signiIicant portion oI the state, the presence oI cedar Iorests has played a major role in the
evolution and development oI various architectural Iorms. Its strength has enabled the
construction oI wooden structures that are several storeys high. This wood is insect and termite
resistant and even when untreated, can withstand long periods oI weather corrosion. Its
properties were understood early and its texture and scent have been prized Ior ages.

Kathkuni Or Kathkundi Style
The 'Kathkuni' or 'Kathkundi' style oI building is something unique to this part oI the world. A
mesh oI interlocking horizontal cedar (locally, deodar) sleepers is created - and in this dressed or
raw stone is packed. A singular characteristic is the absence oI vertical members. With inherent
elasticity, the design has an enormous seismic response - there have been instances when tremors
have dislodged the stones Irom the Irame, and later, have been hammered back into the intact
mesh oI wood houses and temples in the style are present in the districts oI Shimla , Kinnaur and
Kullu .

Walls oI rammed earth are popular all over Himachal and in
the treeless tracts oI the Trans Himalaya, some stunning
architecture has been created on seemingly insurmountable
sites. The quality oI dressed or carved stone has created
remarkable temples, Iorts and residences. Fine slate, or slabs
oI quartzite have provided rooIing material.

Influenced By Himachali Cultural Heritage
Tradition has also dictated certain rituals, belieIs and
ceremonies in the construction oI houses. The Indian
calendar months oI Baisakh, Poh, Magh and Phalgun are
regarded as auspicious Ior the start oI construction. Ideally,
the main aspect oI the house should Iace east and the rising
sun.

Given the topography oI most oI the state, this is not always possible and a northern or western
orientation is acceptable. The house must never Iace south as that is considered to impoverish the
Iamily. The medium ('Goor', 'Chela' or 'Mali') oI the local deity plays a major role in site
selection and in placing the Ioundations oI the house. He prays either at the site itselI or over a
'Sod' or stone brought Irom the place where the house is to be built. He then divines an
auspicious time Ior the start oI construction.

Along with the master builder the person who is building the house goes to the site well beIore
dawn. Certain auspicious items are carried along and prayers are oIIered. The corner stone is
then placed and the endeavour is to set the Iirst line oI stones beIore light, so that the keystone
remains secret. Elaborate rituals are also observed when the main doorIrame and the rooI-beam
are placed.

Colonial Arhitecture
With the coming oI the Europeans, Himachal added another dimension to its rich architectural
heritage. Shimla, the state capital has some oI the world's Iinest examples oI British colonial
architecture. Inspired by the Renaissance in England, is the greystone Iormer Viceregal Lodge
(now the Indian Institute oI Advanced Study), the neo Gothic structures oI the gaiety theatre and
the Iormer imperial Civil Secretariat (now the Accountant General's OIIice). There are the Tudor
Iramed Barnes Court (now the Raj Bhawan), and the distinctive Vidhan Sabha and the secretariat
oI the government oI Himachal Pradesh.

While these were monuments oI imperial might, the houses that drew on the western experience
Ior both inspiration and design, had a composition that was European while the structural
elements were quite indigenous. In many cases, local workers using local materials on local
principles have created cottages straight out oI surrey and chalets Irom the Swiss Bavarian Alps.
Apart Irom Shimla , colonial structures can be Iound all over the state, especially in the hill
stations oI Kasauli and Dalhousie.

And oI course, there are Iorts, palaces, temples and monasteries that Iollow a much older
tradition throughout Himachal. With its well-preserved architecture and cobbled streets, Pragpur
in Kangra has been declared a 'Heritage Village', while the thousand-year-old monastery oI Tabo
in Spiti with its Iine wall paintings and stucco statues has been declared a 'World Heritage Site'
by UNESCO.

Heritage Hotels
Set high where they Lord over the surrounding countryside, or tucked in wooded nooks, or
placed by elegant promenades, Himachal has an enormous range oI ' heritage ' properties. These
range Irom ancient Iorts that breathe a tumultuous past, to colonial mansions that speak oI an age
oI leisure and graciousness. There are palaces that belong to a time when opulence marked the
liIestyles oI India's princes and there are century old hotels that are maintained in a pristine
glory, or that have been painstakingly restored.

This spectrum oIIers a range oI decor and ambience and a richly varied experience. From
timeworn battlements, where the very stones speak oI glory and courage, one can move to lush
countryside and savour the traditions oI 'Haveli' liIe. And just as easily, one can slip into
distinctive mansions where time seems to have stood still Ior decades and where an easy
elegance waIts under the watchIul weave oI priceless tapestries. Then there are hotels that justly
pride themselves Ior years oI tradition and service and whose guest list reads like an international
who's who.

With nostalgia and comIort skillIully interlaced, here is a window that invites one to share a
bygone era and hold its enduring charms.

Properties that welcome guests to share their inimitable qualities are:

Shimla Region - Alpine Heritage Inn, Chapslee, The Cecil, The Clarkes, Hotels SpringIield,
Woodville Palace Hotel (Shimla); Palace Hotel, Chail; Arki Fort, Arki; Fort Resort, Nalagarh;
Hotel Ros Common Kasauli; Hotel Alasia, Kasauli. more...

Mandi And Naggar - Raj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mandi; Nagar Castle, Naggar.

Dalhousie - Silverton Estate, Hotel Aroma 'N' Claire, Hotel Grand View, Hotel Mountview,
Hotel Geetanjali. more...

Kangra Region - Taragarh Palace Hotel, Taragarh; The Judge's Court, Pragpur; Cloud's End
Villa, Dharamsala; Hotel Kashmir House, Dharmasala. more...

The ITC chain Welcomeheritage is now promoting the Himachal heritage circuit whose
members are The Fort, Nalagarh, The Judge's Court, Pragpur and The Woodville Palace, Shimla
.

Many traditional Iarmhouses all over the state are also making accommodation available on their
premises. This will provide visitors an insight into local liIestyles, cuisine and culture.