ecology_activities

Silversmith at work in Pragpur

Ecology, Activities & Events

The Judge's Court, Pragpur and the surrounding countryside offers a host of activities.

Pragpur has a quaint market where several silversmiths ply their trade and will quickly modify trinkets to satisfy individual taste.

The several village weavers will make shawls and blankets to order and tailors will make up dresses overnight.

Pragpur also celebrates several festivals, starting with:

• Lohri, a state festival of Pragpur in January,
• Biasakhi and a
• Wrestling festival in September.

Mcleodganj

Excursions

Day excursions are possible to, amongst others:

Dharamsala – seat of the district administration.

Mcleodganj – abode of His Holiness the Dalai Lama & is something special with Budhist Temples, Monastries, Nuneries.

Norbulingka – the Tibetan Instititute is done up all in grey slate.

Old Stone Corn Mill, Chinour, in action

Palampur – tea estates where the famous Kangra Tea may be enjoyed in local estates.

In addition to the temples already mentioned, there is a Baglamkhu Shrine of the 7th Century, where prayers are offered for victory over adversity.

Angling in the River Beas

Adventure awaits you...

Maybe some Angling. The picturesque Kangra valley has several spots that offer mahaseer & river carp. The reservoir of the Maharana Pratap Sagar right up to the town of Dehra has good spots. Nadaun along the river Beas has some good beats, besides Chamba Pattan near Garli, Amtar (2 km from Nadaun), Harsi Pattan (30 km from Tira Sujanpur) and Lambagaon (15 km from Tira Sujanpur). Water and River Sports The Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir in Kangra with its 42 km length and 2 km breadth, offers a variety of activities in close collaboration with the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.

The countryside is ideal for low-level treks and walks. Those interested in nature study and bird watching will get their fill. The Beas River is within 6 kms. and offers the possibility of angling during season (winter to early summer).

Year long activities include swimming, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. Three levels of courses are conducted - beginner, intermediate and advanced.

And, as always, photography...

Fairs and Festivals

- Please note that Festivals are based on the Lunar Calendar and that dates may change -

January 13

Lohri-Festival Pragpur
Heritage Village, Pragpur

A community Festival of joy celebrated with bonfires.
Signifies the movement of the sun from the Southern to Northern hemisphere.

January 23

Basant Panchami

Heralds Spring. Celebrated with wearing yellow, kite flying & music

Febuary 16

Shivratri
Heritage Vllage, Pragpur
Chintpurni and Jwalamukhi

The Darkest Night that is also the night of Shiva.
Celebrates the union of the positive and the negative that is also the enternal moment.

March 3

Holi

Sujanpur Tira (50 Kms.)
Baba Bharwag Singh 12 km

Exorcising the evil spirit.

Holi-Mohala

Anandpur Sahib
(100 Kms.)

A fabulous festival of Punjab

March 19 - 28

Spring Navratra
Fair & Ram Naumi
Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni (25 Kms)

Marks the change of season and 9 nights of worship of Shiva

April 13

Baisakhi "Ralli"

Kalesar (walking: 6 Kms., 16 Kms. by road )

Celebrates the start of harvesting and the New Year.

June 1 week

Summer Festival
Dharamshala (60 Kms)

Tourist attraction

August 7 & 8

Monsoon Fair
Chintpurni (25Kms)

Tourist attraction

September 7 - 11

Wrestling Fair
Heritage Village Pragpur

Special fair of Pragpur at which Wrestlers from far and near participate.

October 6

Autumn Navratra Fair
Jwalamukhi and
Chintpurni
(25 Kms)

Marks the change of season and 9 nights of worship of shiva

October 21

Dussehra
Dehra (10 Kms) & Heritage Village, Pragpur

A Fair that celebrates victory of Good over Evil

November 9

Diwali
Heritage Village, Pragpur

Hindu New Financial Year and Festival of lights.

Lohri celebrations, Pragpur, 13th and 14th of January

The Festival of Lohri is celebrated when the sun crosses the meridian from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere on the 13th January which is also the height of winter. The day is auspicious and for families it is a time for thanksgiving for the addition during the past year of new brides and children. Farmer’s wheat crop stands lush green promising a bountiful harvest with hope for happiness.
The festival is of camaraderie and good feeling all around. Young boys and girls go from house to house and are rewarded for singing Lohri skits. Evening bonfires lit in homes in gorgeously decorated fire pits called ‘githa’s’