CULTURES AND HERITAGE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
- Nishita Chopra
- Nov 22, 2020
- 3 min read
Himachal Pradesh with its scenic mountain towns and valleys is home to diverse influences of Tibetan, British, and Mughal art and architecture. Although the native architecture style is mostly made of mud, bricks, and wood and is done by local construction techniques to provide stability to the earthquake-prone zones.
The architecture of Himachal Pradesh can be broadly divided into four categories;
Houses
Palaces
Temples/Monastries
Granaries
Traditional construction technique of Kath-Kuni is used for construction of various typologies of the buildings. It involves laying courses of wood and rubble masonry alternately. This helps to distribute weight evenly and also forms a thick layer of cavity walls that provide thermal insulation during their winters.
Houses:
They are generally double storey houses oriented towards south for heat loss. The ground floor is majorly used as a cattle shed, the middle level for storing practical items and the top level for living, cooking and formal settings.
They all have pitched roofs and the design is made in a way that the linear arrangement of rooms are all well connected through their balconies.
Palaces:
Major palaces are located in Jubbal, Rampur, Bushair, Naggar, Chamba and Kumarsain. Because these palaces are mostly a 100 years old, they incorporate various styles from the architecture of hindu temples, Buddhist monastries and even some of the Islamic structure from the plains. They all have sloping roofs and a pergola at the entrance to highlight its main entry.
Some of the famous palaces are:
Visceral Lodge, Shimla: It was a summer residence of the British Viceroy from 1888- 1946 and hence displays the unification of the English Renaissance and the Victorian architectural style. To bring the greyish look to the building, local sandstone and light blue sandstone are used. All four sides are adorned with columns, arches and mullioned windows. This mansion has lavish interiors with teak staircases and flooring. Final Himachali touch to the mansion can be seen by the use of kashmiri linings on walnut ceilings and walls.
2. Kangra Fort: One of the largest and oldest forts in Himachal, made of granite, has witnessed everything from invasion to evolution. Because of the fort being captured by the Delhi Sultanates, Mughals and the Sikhs, the architecture of the fort is highly influenced by these styles. Being climate and material sensitive to Himachal, it has evolved into a unique typology of Kangra architecture.
Temples and Monastries:
With Himachal Pradesh being so rich in its culture, temples and monastries, both are found here.
There are three types of temples;
Shikhara style
Pagoda style
Pahadi style
Shikhara Style: Refers to the rising tower over the enshrined sanctum of the deity. It is built of stone and decorated with carvings and the top of the tower has a circular sun-disc.
Pagoda Style: They are tiered towers with successive roofs made of stone and wood. The diminishing pyramidal roofs rise one on top of the other, shaping up the pagoda look.
Pahadi Style: These are wooden styled temples, a mix of all forms of temples found in Himachal Pradesh. They are generally timber bonded style with pent roofs.
Monastries: Since long, Buddhism has influenced Himachal Pradesh. The monastries are held in respect by not only the Buddhists but also by the other cultures.
Granaries (storages):
A granary is a store of grain and animal feed generally made one storey above ground level to avoid mice and insects. It is either made independently or attached with the house. They are wooden structures made on stone plinths with pitched roofs.
Himachal pardesh is well known for its long lasting structures because of its traditional construction method. The stone roof provides stability to the building and the small openings and projected balconies help manage weather, making these buildings climate friendly. With its detailed carvings and evolving architecture, it has always been aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sensitive.
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