An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Hamirpur Part III continued, Tourists places

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Hamirpur Part III continued  :-

Tourist places  :-

Sujanpur Tihra :- 

Sujanpur Tihra Fort 

A beautiful town Sujanpur Tihra is about 22 Km from Hamirpur district headquarters  and about 61  Km from Kangra located on the left bank of river Beas on Hamirpur Palampur Kangra road . 

The town  comes under Sujanpur Tihra Nagar Panchayat. At present Sujanpur Tihra is a sub division , Tehsil and Development Block headquarters .

At one time Sujanpur Tihra was the capital of Katoch dynasty . The palace and Sujanpur Tihra fort are historical monument of that time . The Sujanpur Tihra was founded by Maharaja Abhey Chand in 1748 A.D.

As per Jawalamukhi Treaty  on 20 th July 1809 between Maharaja Sansar Chand II and Maharaja Ranjit Singh the Empror of Lahore Maharaja Ranjit y took over Kangra Fort  then Maharaja Sansar Chand made his capital at Sujanpur Tihra .

Maharaja Sansar Chand constructed a very big ground about one square Kilometre called Chaugan in the middle of town , which was the parade ground of his army . Army was trained in this ground .

View of Sujanpur Tihra Ground 

Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum :- 

Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum is run by the royal family of Kangra .

Narmadeshwar Mahadev temple :-

Maharaja Sansar Chand also built many temples in the town with a beautiful blend of Nagra style architecture and Mugal architecture.  

The famous temples are Narmadeshwar Mahadev temple , this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva . 

Maharani Pransani Devi wife of Maharaja Sansar Chand II built this temple in 1802. The walls of the temple has beautiful paintings of Ramayana and Mahabharata period.

View of Narmadeshwar Mahadev temple , Sujanpur Tihra .

The temple is constructed in Panchayatana layout which means the main shrine is surrounded by four sub shrines . This temple is situated about 4 Km from the town . 

Holi Festival at Sujanpur Tihra  :-

The famous Holi Festival was first started during 1795 by Maharaja Sansar Chand from Radhakrishnan temple . The specially made gulal in the palace was firsty applied to Radha , Krishna idols and used for Holi celebration between Maharaja and his public . From then the festival is being celebrated continuously  in the  Chaugan . Now  Government Administration has taken the place Maharaja in Holi festival  celebration .

Chhinj Competition :- 

During Holi fair a wrestling competition called Chhinj  is also organised  for the entertainment of public  in which the Wrestlers from Punjab , Haryana and Himachal take part . This event is a great charm for the people . Also other Exhibition and  other cultural activities are organised during the Holi fair . 

Murali Manohar Temple  :- 

Murali Manohar Temple at Sujanpur Tihra is the only Temple in world in which Lord Krishna has hold the flute  in opposite direction rather than normal direction .

Murali Manohar Temple Sujanpur Tihra.

The Murli Manohar Temple was built up by Maharaja Sansar Chand in 1785 in the memory of his Mother . The secret about holding the flute in opposite direction is that  , when the idol of Lord Krishna was being established in the temple then Maharaja Sansar Chand asked questions from  priests regarding Lord Krishna but their reply was not satisfactory . So on this Maharaja Sansar Chand ordered to cut their heads.  On this, the priests remained searching the right answer and couldn't sleep that night . In the morning when priests went to temple they were surprised to see that the Lord Krishna 's idol had been holding the flute in opposite direction where as on previous night it was in the right direction .

So on this mysterious  event they satisfied the King that Lord Krishna 's presence is obviously in the idol . The temple is located opposite to the Chaugan . The Murli Manohar Temple is centre of faith from ancient times and continued till today . 

Gaurishankar Temple :- 

Gaurishankar temple is located in the Fort at a distance of about 4 Km from the Sujanpur Tihra town . This beautiful temple was built by Maharaja Sansar Chand II in the memory of his mother in 1793 A.D.

Sainik school Sujanpur Tihra  :-

View of Sainik school Sujanpur Tihra.

Mr. VK Menon in 1961  the then Diffence Minister of India  initiative to establish a series of Sainik schools in the country as feeder institutions for NDA . In this series during 1974 the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone of Sainik school Sujanpur Tihra .  The school is situated on one side of the Chaugan .

The school was completed in 1978 and His excellency Shri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy  the then President of India inagurated the school on November 2nd 1978 . Since then school is in service of the country and has given many officers to the Indian Army .

Sujanpur Tihra a Beautiful Tourist place :-

When we start our journey from Hamirpur to Kangra via Sujanpur Tihra we come across many beautiful locations  , the river Beas flowing on the side of Sujanpur Tihra town gives many panoramic views  . Many developing sites like  Shivdham in adjoining village Bhaled of Darla  panchayat , Lord Krishna Dham in Tihra and Maharaja Sansar Chand Park we can enjoy . These are the beautiful attractions for the tourists .

When ever we see the Shivalik range of hills and the nature with lush green forest , rivers flowing full of neat and clean water , singing birds , cool and clean fresh air , blue sky and the people of this beautiful Himachal Pradesh our heart says ," How beautiful this wonder land is ? We must stay here to enjoy the beauty of this wonder Land ."