Lord
Elgin's Memorial
After the honors of 1857, India's First War of independence,
Queen Victoria assumed the title of Empress of India. Her Prime
Minister, Lord Canning made the proclamation and the Governor
General's title was raised to that of Viceroy of India.
One such is the elegant Church of St. John in the wilderness
8-km from town, containing some of the most priceless stained
glass windows. One panel portrays Christ, the other St. John,
the Beptist. It was in Dharamsala that Lord Elgin, the Scottish
working-peer, and eighth viceroy, who succeeded Lord Lansdowne,
in 1896, took his vacations from official Shimla.
|
Maharaja's Palace
One of the smallest Himalayan Hill resorts, Chail lies at a
height of 2,250m. When Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, was
expelled from Shimla, he decided to create his own summer
capital, which was Chail. His choice of Chail was perfect - a
thick cover of majestic, soaring deodars surrounded it. Shimla
was just 45-kms away, and most significantly, the hill of Chail
was decidedly higher than the then British - controlled Shimla.
The magnificent Rajgarh palace, with elaborate furnishings,
built in 1891. With comfortable log huts and cottages, dense
forests and serene walks, sprawling lawns, a childrens park, a
`lovers hill', and sports facilities, Chail is a resort in the
real sense of the term.
One can opt for a room in any of the surrounding log huts or
cottages, which are cheaper. The Rajgarh Cottage has four rooms
available on individual basis. It is possible to hire the entire
cottage with living-dining room and kitchen. The Wood Rose
Cottage, the Monal Cottage and the log huts have double rooms
with kitchen. Honeymooners can opt for the Honeymoon Den. |
Padam Palace
Raja Padam Singh, a builder of stature in his own principality,
assigned the task of building the palace to his chief engineer,
Bir Chand Shukla. It took six years (1919-1925) for the building
to take shape. Named after the Raja, the building witnessed the
merger of Bushair State with the Indian union.
Reflecting the glorious past of the princely state, the palace
is an outstanding example of the taste, style and architecture
of the erstwhile hill states, and a tribute to local craftsmen
who toiled to carve out its beauty.
Stones for the building were quarried at Khaneri and the wood
was brought down from the jungles of Munish and Dhamreda. Black
gram paste was used for cementing the stone blocks. The stone
arches of the lower floor and woodwork of the upper storey mark
a striking contrast. The tipper storey wooden screen has floral
and figurine designs so as to partially admit light without
exposing those inside. |
Rang Mahal
Chamba, situated the beautiful Rang Mahal palace, which was
built by Raja Umed Singh in the mid 18th century. The palace
walls here are lined with exquisite examples of wall paintings
in the Punjab Hills style, all of which depict the life and
times of Lord Krishna.
The Rang Mahal or the old palace, Rang Mahal also houses the
Himachal Emporium. Here one can purchase rumals - small cloths
featuring very fine silk embroidery, a traditional craft
executed by the women of Chamba, which dates back almost 1000
years. The emporium is open from Monday to Saturday fro 10 A.M.
to 1 P.M. and 2 to 5 P.M. |
Tabo Monastery
The rugged hills around Tabo house a tiny hamlet that is home
to some 350 people. The Tabo monastery, also referred to as Tabo
Chos-Khor- 'doctrinal circle' or 'doctrinal enclave' is a
complex that holds nine temples, 23 chortens, a monks' chamber
and an extension that houses the nuns' chamber.
On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of
caves, which were used as dwellings by the monks and include an
'assembly hall'. Faint traces of the paintings that once
embellished the rock face can be discerned. Even today, Tabo
holds the distinction of being the largest monastic complex in
Spiti. Constructed in 996 AD, Tabo was the brainchild of the
great translator and teacher, Rinchensang Po. |
Viceregal Lodge
On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is
also known as Rashtrapati Niwas. This magnificent building was
the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. The palatial
building was the venue for many important decisions that changed
the fate of the sub-continent. This lodge was completed in 1888.
It is said that mules carried every brick for the building.
This is a six-storey building is surrounded by well-maintained
gardens and lawns. A cafe is also there. The lodge has now been
converted into Institute of Advanced Studies |
