India Hill Stations
Pragpur
The Judges Court Hotel
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India Hill Stations - Pragpur - Judges Court HotelIndia Hill Stations include Judges Court Hotel at Pragpur which is a 300 year old Manor house in the medieval hamlet of Pragpur in the Kangra Valley . This large country manor and the ancestral cottage designed in the Indo-European tradition are set in 12 acres of orchards overlooking the Dauladhar mountains. They were built in 1918 by Bhandhari Ram for his son, Justice Sir Jai Lal. The property was known as "Judge Sahib Ki Kothi" and the name "Judge's Court" has remained. It has been restored with painstaking attention to detail but with the introduction of modern plumbing and amenities. The village of Pragpur, at an elevation of 2000 ft, was classified as a heritage zone in 1997. This unspoilt medieval village is caught in a charming time warp, with its old shops, mud-plastered and slate-roofed houses, ornamental tank and the cobbled streets leading to the village courtyard.
AccommodationThe 300 year old cottage in the courtyard has been completely restored to its origional style but with all modern amenities. It has all the elements of a house including a kitchenette, sitting room, bedroom with dressing room, study and a terrace. There is an independently accessed suite and a double bedroom, all with attached bathrooms. The Judge's Court's has 10 elegantly decorated and furnished luxury double rooms and 3 suites including the cottage. All the rooms are air-conditioned. The Kuthiala Sood family who own and run the property have been part of Heritage Village Pragpur since it was founded. Accommodation is available only on prior reservation. DiningIndian and Continental cuisine is served. The Judge's Court grows its own fruit, vegetables, wheat, maize and oil seeds and prides itself that most of the fare comes from this organic environment. Milk is supplied from the hotel's dairy. Drinking water is sourced from an exclusive mountain spring. Hotel Features and Leisure ActivitiesFeatures: Running hot and cold water - Telephone in rooms - Drinking water from exclusive mountain spring - Milk supply from own dairy - Fruit, vegetables and grains from own cultivation - Conference FacilitiesLeisure Activities: Walking and hiking - Boating and water sports - Horse riding - Angling - Skiing - Cultural shows - Bird watching - Picnics and visits to local historical sites and monuments can be arranged by the hotel. Pragpur is a hamlet that has remailed unchanged 300 years with its shops, cobbled streets, ornamental village tank, mud plastered and slate roofed houses. It has a quaint market where silversmiths ply their trade and the village weavers will make shawls and blankets to order and tailors will sew dresses overnight. Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir is 42 km long and 2 km wide and offers a variety of activities in close collaboration with the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Year long activities include swimming, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. Three levels of courses are conducted - beginner, intermediate and advanced. Countryside is ideal for low-level treks and walks particularly for those interested in nature study and bird watching. There is a bird sanstury at Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir. Angling on the banks of the River Beas (6km) also offers the possibility of swimming and lends itself admirably to walks and picnics. The much-sought mahaseer river carp can also be found in the reservoir of the Maharana Pratap Sagar, Nadaun along the river Beas, Amtar, Harsi Pattan and Lambagaon. Fishing as well as boat rides are possible in Chamba Pattan near Garli (which has some lovely old houses in Simla architecture). Area Infomation:Pragpur, sheltered by the Dhauladhar mountains, is at an elevation of about 1800 feet in the Kangra valley. It is said to have been founded in the early 17th century to commemorate Princess Prag Rani. This delightful hamlet's principal appeal lies in its unchanged and unchanging quality that has retained all its rustic and medieval charm. It is also in a stunningly beautiful and pristine area. Its weathered tracks and roads make it easily accessible from a number of well-connected big cities and towns. Getting There - DistancesBy AirThe closest airport is in Gaggal (Kangra) which is also open to private planes. The closest well-connected domestic airport is in Chandigarh and international airport in Delhi. By Rail Delhi-Una, Delhi - Chandigarh, Delhi - Jalandhar, Delhi - Pathankot, then by road. Una - Pragpur (60 km), Chandigarh - Pragpur (175 km), Jalandhar - Pragpur (95 km), Pathankot-Pragpur (110 km)
There is also a narrow guage train of the Kangra valley from Pathankot to Guler (30km from The Judge's Court). Taxis are available at all stations. With 72 hours notice The Judge's Court can provide a pick-up.
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