Riddhi Sompura

Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful state with many hidden gems still left unexplored in its lap. One such hidden gem is the Sujanpur Tira Fort in the Hamirpur district. This mysterious and ruined fort is a trip that you will always remember and offers a great outlook on the state! Locals believe there is a treasure worth millions hidden here! Let’s take a look at this mystic fort of Himachal Pradesh. Sujanpur Tira Fort HistoryWho built Sujanpur Tira fort?Sujanpur Tira fort timingsSujanpur Tira Fort entrance feeLegends of the Sujanpur FortSujanpur Tira Fort attractions1. The Majestic Entrance2. The Mysterious Tunnel3. The Mysterious Rooms4. Baradari5. Katoch Kuldevi Temple6. Gauri-Shankar Temple 7. Witness the Internationally Famous HoliHow to Reach Sujanpur Tira FortConclusion Sujanpur Tira Fort History Sujanpur Fort in the Kangra Kingdom stands as a testament to the many years of Katoch rule over the place. Built with small bricks and sand, this gorgeous fort is now in ruins but tells the tale of the bygone era with equal fervour. The fort was built by Maharaja Abhay Chand of the Katoch Dynasty in 1750 and was later taken over by the famous King Sansar Chand. Maharaja Sansar Chand is also known for making the Kangra school of miniature paintings famous. This fort was from where King Sansar Chand used to rule over the Kangra Kingdom after he freed the fort from the Mughal Empire. In 1905, a huge earthquake struck the Kangra Valley, damaging the fort considerably. Preservation and reconstruction efforts are constantly being made to restore the structure to its former glory. Who built Sujanpur Tira fort? It was built by Raja Abhay Singh as a military fort. It now belongs to Raja Sahib Lambgraon (another town in the district). Sujanpur Tira fort timings The fort is open to all visitors from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. Sujanpur Tira Fort entrance fee There is no entry fee here. You can visit the fort for free. Legends of the Sujanpur Fort There are numerous legends associated with this fortress in Kangra Valley. One of the most famous ones is that the king, Raja Sansar Chand, actually hid a treasure worth crores here, but it hasn’t yet been found! It is also said that a pair of snakes live on the grounds to protect the treasure! Many have visited here in search of the hidden treasure. Another legend goes that when a fort worker asked the king for money, he refused. This rejection hurt the worker, who cursed the king by saying that he would never be able to rule the left-hand side of the Beas River and killed himself. After this, the king lost almost all his kingdoms and forts and had to shift to the town of Lambgraon, which is surprisingly on the right-hand side. Sujanpur Tira Fort attractions There are many places within the Sujanpur Tira Fort that you can enjoy. This mysterious fort is in ruins, and it gives a hauntingly beautiful vibe that you must explore. There are many parts of the place that people don’t generally explore, and due to lack of maintenance, there is high vegetation growth here. Let’s see what to explore here! 1. The Majestic Entrance The entrance of the fort is majestic and is laden with elephants and jharokhas. It was considered one of the most beautiful palaces at the time of its glory. As you enter the fort, you will notice many stairs leading to different parts of the fort that you can explore. Entrance to the upper floors is restricted for now. 2. The Mysterious Tunnel There is a mysterious tunnel in the ruins of the fort. Many say that the tunnel is 5 kilometres long, and due to the pitch darkness, no one has ever managed to go more than 100 metres in. It is often said that the way from this tunnel leads to the treasure, which is hidden at the end of the 5 kilometres. 3. The Mysterious Rooms The rooms made for sleeping here are quite unique and mysterious. The walls are sometimes 1 metre thick, and you can also see rooms that reach the basement. The asymmetry of the rooms is something you must see when you’re here. 4. Baradari Within the fort is Baradari, the most famous tourist spot. It is a collection of 22 doors where the king used to have his ‘sabha’ and discuss matters of concern with the public. From here, you can have a complete view of Sujanpur and the beautiful Chaugan Maidan. This huge garden stays green all year long! You can also see the Bear River passing from here! 5. Katoch Kuldevi Temple Within the fort's premises is the Katoch Kuldevi temple, dedicated to the local deity of the Katoch dynasty. The temple was built along with the fort, and the Kings used to worship here daily. Currently, it has been closed off to the public, but the view of the surroundings from the temple is marvellous, and you can visit the temple from outside. 6. Gauri-Shankar Temple There is also a Gauri-Shankar temple within the fort dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This beautiful temple is also open to the public. 7. Witness the Internationally Famous Holi The Holi is internationally acclaimed. Initially, Holi was only played on the Chaugan Maidan and the queens used to sit at Baradari and watch from a distance. After a while, the King played Holi with the locals using organic gulaal, and since then, it has become a tradition to play Holi here! The Holi is extremely famous, and you must see it when you can. How to Reach Sujanpur Tira Fort The fort is just 120 kilometres from Dharamshala, and you can visit it via buses and taxis. HRTC buses run between all destinations in Himachal Pradesh and Hamirpur, and you can book online or offline. From Hamirpur, the fort is only 24 kilometres away, and you can either rent a bike/scooty from there or take a local bus/taxi to the fort! Conclusion Visit Sujanpur Tira Fort in the Hamirpur district of Himachal to be closer to history and nature. This fort will be loved by all who love history, architecture and mystery. It makes up for a great one-day trip from Dharamshala as you find peace and serenity in the town.

Riddhi Sompura

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