Kangra: Documenting the past for brighter future

In an initiative to protect and promote the rich cultural tapestry of Kangra district, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Kangra Chapter has announced an ambitious plan to document all historically significant monuments across the region.

The decision was taken unanimously during INTACH’s annual meeting held on Thursday at Hotel Dhauladhar, Kotwali Bazar, Dharamsala, under the chairmanship of Chapter Convener LN Aggarwal.

As part of the plan, the chapter will organise systematic visits to every heritage site in the district for comprehensive documentation. In a creative cultural proposal, Aggarwal also suggested informal celebrations of local festivals through community storytelling sessions — aimed at reviving fading oral traditions and engaging younger generations.

In a parallel move to advocate for architectural conservation, INTACH members met Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and urged the preservation of Kashmir House, a rare architectural gem in Dharamsala. The chapter also felicitated Kumar and HPTDC AGM Kailash Thakur for their key role in revitalising Hotel Dhauladhar, a heritage property that has witnessed a significant rise in tourist footfall and revenue following recent renovations.