Soak in the unique charms of one of India’s finest heritage luxury resorts in Himachal Pradesh. Situated in the luxuriant confines of the Kangra Valley at Pragpur, The Judge’s Court is a storied property nestling cozily in the confines of the first ‘Heritage Village’ of India, deemed so because of its distinctive architecture and unspoiled beauty. Guests, both from overseas and India, who have been blown away by the incredible manner in which this over 4-century-old old Pragpur village has been preserved, promise to return time and again to experience its hospitality and heritage. The Baisakhi, Lohri and Holi celebrations are spectacular and truly memorable here.
Long before the Indian travelling community discovered this lovely spot in the Kangra region, it was visitors of the Sood family from abroad who took home wonderful memories and shared them with friends— and the rest is history.
Your gracious hosts Vijay and Rani Lal belong to the prestigious Sood clan who were involved in trading in grains and money-lending in territories along the Beas, and went on to capitalise on the needs of the British settlement of Shimla. At the time the Kuthiala Sood community, with 52 of its clans, had settled in the Garli-Pragpur region, also known as the Jaswan state. Even today the Soods are an intrinsic component in the fabric of Shimla’s economy and culture.
Pragpur was purportedly established in the late 16th century to honour Princess Prag of the Jaswan royal family, one among a scattering of autonomous ruling clans living it out in the Kangra Valley. It appears the childless princess gave birth to a son after praying to an ascetic. His one condition was that she build a town in that very area. Pragpur is truly an auspicious site. In proximity to it lie three deeply venerated Hindu Shaktipeeth temples—Jwalamukhi, Chintpurni and Brijeshwari. Visitors residing at The Judge’s Court go visiting these shrines, not only for their spiritual importance but also for their cultural richness.
The Judge's Court was built by Justice Sir Jai Lal, a 7th generation Sood resident of Pragpur. His descendant Vijay Lal, along with his lovely wife Rani were instrumental in initiating the process of Pragpur’s notification as a heritage site and developed The Judge’s Court as a heritage resort.
The Judge’s Court offers visitors two wonderful staycation options. There’s the over 300- year haveli, complete with traditional courtyard along with 1 Apartment,1 Suite and 2 Deluxe Rooms. Then there’s the English Manor-style complex where the family resides. Set in a 12 acre garden The Judge’s Court offers 26 airy air-conditioned and airy rooms and suites. Meals on offer are a tempting mix of Continental, Indian and Himachali fare.
Cultural capers
There is plenty to do around Pragpur village itself, before you travel further afield to the Shaktipeeth shrines and then on to the historic Kangra Fort and further on to Dharamshala-McLeodganj — all within easy driving distance.
Take a walk around Pragpur village with its cobbled streets and traditional houses with mud-plastered walls and blue-black slate sloping roofs. The ancestral Kuthiala complex buildings are the oldest of the mansions you can visit around Pragpur. This includes the home of Durga Devi, sister-in-law of Justice Sir Jai Lal. The over 300-year-old is built with those traditional, very delicate looking nanak-shahi bricks; these are small, slim, pale pink bricks, baked in wood that were used in Punjab before the British arrived and standardised them into the classic, crimson 5x9” bricks, baked in coal. Rooms inside the haveli are cosy and comfortable and delicately repurposed for present-day visitors with all mod cons.
Moving on you’ll pass the old village tank with its tiger mouth spout. Water to the tank used to be channelled by wooden pipes from natural springs in nearby Buliana Village. The short lane empties into the tiny Pragpur bazaar with its cobbled streets and alleyways …all utterly charming. Notice how your footsteps become unhurried as you move along from shop to shop inspecting all manner of goods on sale including daily needs items, stocks of fabrics, made-ups etc, silver ornaments, shoes lined up by the cobbler… There’s even a block printing shop and a weaver community you can visit with orders for shawls, blankets and carpets produced on traditional looms.
Some of the beautiful havelis of yesteryear that still stand in various states of preservation here are the Lala Rerumal Haveli with its Mughal-style garden, pleasure terrace and water tank; it was built in 1931 by the Rais of Pragpur. Other unmissable structures are the 200-year-old Chaujjar Mansion; Butail Niwas which is over 175 years old; Banta Dwar, over 150 years in age is distinctive for its red façade ornamented with painted flowers and wrought iron railings. Then there are beautiful courtyards of the Sood clans, an ancient Shakti Mandir and several public platforms. This heritage village is scrabbling to also keep alive ancestral crafts such as basket weaving, hand block printing, silver work and painting.
You can veer off to the Viceroy’s Pool, just 4 km from Pragpur, for a spot of fishing. Visitors love to pack a picnic basket and set off for the nearby Chamba Pattan. You can even go boating here on the Beas River which runs close by.
Destination Garli
Having explored village Pragpur you must head out for the nearby Garli village, now also a distinct part of this Heritage Zone. Just 2 km away, it’s a lovely walk which brings you to some of its most iconic structures. The stamp of colonial architecture is unmissable here. Rai Mohan Lal, a big-time timber merchant set up a beautiful school for girls here along with a serai and the water system of Garli, which was his hometown. Check out his colonial style house which dates back to the 1920s. A lovely old haveli set amidst orchards and gardens belonged to Asha Devi Sood. The abandoned Bhagwan Niwas belonged to Narendra Sood. In Garli village you can even stay at Chateau Garli, a heritage resort owned by Yatish Sud who has lovingly restored the mansion built by his great grandfather in 1921.
Judges Court is a wonderful staycation destination for joyful family get togethers; but it's equally delightful for singletons and twosomes looking for some quality ‘me time’.