Enclosed by the White Mountain ranges, Pragpur is a country’s first Heritage Village, founded in the late 16th century by the Kuthiala Soods in memory of Princess Prag Devi of the Jaswan Royal family.
It is an ornamental village with unchanged shops, cobbled stone streets, old water tank, mud-plastered walls and slate-roofed houses. The narrow streets, lined with fort-like houses, havelis and villas are indicative of the aged charisma and remind much of enthralling and interest, especially among the foreign tourists.
Due to its unique architecture and pristine beauty, the Himachal government declared it as a 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. The buildings are preserved by panchayats and they only tell on new constructions. A number of heritage buildings are now being restored by using modern facilities in them to make an easy and comfortable stay for tourists.
With its unique beauty and place, Pragpur offers angling opportunities in the Beas nearby and a panoramic view of the snow-capped majestic Dhauladhars.
In the heart of village Pragpur there is a mansion called, The Judges Court, being run as a hotel by Mr Vijai Lal, who is the grandson of Justice Sir Jai Lal, the second Indian to become a Judge of the Punjab High Court. The Judge’s Court is a classified Heritage hotel, which offers an experience of the charm of good living in rural India. Surrounded by beautiful countryide, swelling hills and a rich eco-system .The Judges Court is a resort built-in a typical Anglo-Indian style of architecture.
Apart from the Judges Court, which was built in 1918, Mr Lal has restored his 300-year-old ancestral house. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Heritage Village Pragpur provides ability for preservation of heritage at the village.
The ancient glory of the village has been protected and rejuvenated by the Vijai Lal. He has taken the initiative to safeguard the Heritage village. “Tourism promotion is a key reason, but at the same time, we must make sure that it does not lose its charisma and uniqueness, while providing employment to locals,” Mr Lal says with emphasis.
A specific colour code will be followed and all buildings will be in consistency with the medieval ambience of the village. The other places of interest within the Heritage Village Pragpur are the Lala Rerumal Haveli built in 1931 by a Rais of Pragpur, which has a Mughal style garden, pleasure terrace and a large water reservoir. Butail Mandir, Chaujjar Mansion, Courtyards of the Sood Clans, an ancient Shakti Mandir and Atiyalas or public platforms are the pride of this heritage village.
There are many silversmiths in the market selling traditional trinkets and curios. The village is known for its cottage industry. The inhabitants in the area are mostly crafts people weavers, basket makers, silversmiths, painters, musicians and tailors. One can buy hand-woven blankets, shawls and hand-block printed clothes from here.