Naggar Castle, One of the Top Tourist Attractions of Himachal Pradesh

Naggar was previously the capital of Kullu, located at a distance of about 22 km from Manali. The main attraction of this place is the Naggar castle
, which was structured by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu, during the period of 1460 AD. Later, the castle also acted as a summer capital during the British period and was later converted into a heritage hotel, in the year 1978. The palace is placed at a height of about 1,851 m above sea level along the banks of the Beas River. The Naggar Castle is chiefly known for its excellent architectural style and for providing stunning views of the surrounding areas. It is visited by hundreds of tourists all over the year and is regarded as one of the top tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. 

Attractions

The Castle- The palace, which was built by Raja Sidh Singh in 1460 AD, is in itself a tourist attraction. Though the place has been turned into a heritage hotel, it still reflects the unique blend of western and Himachal style of architecture. The castle, which is located on the banks of the Beas River, has been structured in such a way so that it can offer a 360 degree view of the surrounding areas. 

Jagatipatt Temple- The temple is located on the upper court yard of the castle, which is a perfect example of the Himachal architecture. The chief highlight of this temple is the ‘jagtipatt’, which is slab measuring 5' x 8' x 6. The slab is believed to have been brought to this place from Vashist by honey bees. The local people believe that the gods assemble at this place to protect the region from calamity. 

Tripura Sundari Temple- The temple is a three storied structure, which was built by Raja Yashodhapal. The temple resembles a pagoda and its architectural style is similar to the Hadimba temple in Manali. The temple comprises stone idols of various deities like Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Parvati.  

Gauri Shankar Temple- The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is highly popular among the tourists as well as devotees for its stunning architecture. The shrine was structured during the 11^th and 12^th century and its main idol is that of Gauri-Shankar. The place also includes striking carvings of Lord Ganesh, dancer, musician and flowers. 

Nicholas Reorich Art Gallery- The art gallery is one of the chief attractions of this place, as it displays a private collection of the famous Russian painter, Nikolai Reorich. The painter decided to stay at this place after coming over here in 1929 and later died in the year 1947. The art gallery also displays paintings of talented artists from Kullu, Sipti and Lahaul region.  The gallery is located at a distance of about 2 km from the main town. 

Opening Time: The castle is open on all days from 7 am to 10 pm.

Entrance Fee: The entrance fee to this castle is Rs 15 per head.

Best Time to Visit

Though the castle can be visited throughout the year, the best time to visit the place is during the months of October and November as the climate is pleasant, not too cold, during this time of the year.

Accommodation

The rooms of this heritage hotel are spacious and comfortable. The rooms are elegantly decorated involving the Himalayan style of architecture. The amenities offered at this place are 24 hour hot and cold running water, in-house laundry, dry cleaning, color TV and other basic facilities. 

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport to the place is Bhuntar, located at a distance of about 32 km. The airport conducts regular flights to various major cities in the country. Local and hired taxis are available from the airport to the palace.

By Train: The closest rail head to this place is Chandigarh, located at a distance of about 280 km. The station is well connected with several major parts in the country.  Regular buses and taxis are available from the station to the place.

By Road: The Naggar palace is easily accessible by road from the main town of Manali, located at a distance of about 22 km.  Regular bus and taxi services are available from the town to the place. The palace is also well connected with places like Chandigarh (274 km), Shimla (240 km) and Dharmshala (81 km). Private and public buses are available at regular intervals from these places to Naggar castle.