Sujanpur Fort, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh India

Sujanpur Fort, built in 1758 by the Emperor of Kangra, King Abhaya Chand, is one of the beautiful buildings located in the town of Hamirpur in Sujanpur. The fort is also popular for its many paintings. During the early 19th century, the King of Kangra, Sansar Chand, a follower of the Pahari School of Miniature Paintings, lived here. When the emperor lost Kangra to the British, Sujanpur Fort became a shelter for him and his family.There are 12 chambers and a hall in the building of this fort. The chambers here were made for the other kings who would come to meet with King Sansar Chand in Kangra. Situated on the banks of Beas River, the fort also has a Barahdari Hall where hearings were held. The large compound of this fort is now used for Holi celebrations; a popular Hindu festival of colours is celebrated for 3 to 4 days.Some other popular spots here are the temples of Narbadeshwar, Gaurishankar, and Murli Manohar.

The exquisite wall paintings and frescoes in the Baradari Hall of Sujanpur Fort stand as a testimony to his love for art. The hall, used by the king to hold court, has twelve chambers. These chambers were used as seats of honor for other Rajas, who used to visit Raja Sansar Chand. There are some beautiful shrines inside the fort complex. One of the most popular attractions of Sujanpur Fort is Lambagraon Palace that used to serve as the residence of the royalty.

Gauri Shankar Temple, situated at the southern end of the Sujanpur Fort, is famous for life-size statues of Lord Shiva and His consort Goddess Parvati, in 'ashtadhatu' (eight elements). The fort was once known for its magnificence and splendor. However, the devastating earthquake of 1905 that shook the Kangra region left it mostly in ruins. Still, Sujanpur Fort has not lost its glory completely and is still visited by tourists in large numbers.

The fort-palace at Sujanpur-Tira, 22 kms. from Hamirpur town is a historical landmark. The town was founded by Raja Abhey Chand, of ruling Katoch dynasty of Kangra, in 1748 A.D. and the palace, was built in 1758. The entrance is impressive and decorative. Inside, there are deep recesses and the walls have signs of faded paintings. It is a double storey structure, with arches, wall-niches and sizeable rooms. On the right is the Bara dari, where the kings used to hold their darbar. The fort-palace was destroyed in the 1905 Kangra earthquake and later by a fire.

Sujanpur Tira is known for its five temples of which Gauri Shankar is within the palace precincts. Dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, the temple was built by Raja Sansar Chand in A.D. 1804. It has a number of wall paintings that are still bright and have been executed with precision. Floral designs, figures of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha and other human and divine forms adorn the temple from inside as well as from outside.