Rampur Bushahr: A Tryst With History And Nature!

Located on the banks of Sutlej River, in the lap of peaceful Himachal Pradesh, Rampur Bushahr proves to be an ideal concoction of history, culture and nature) paren. Rampur, the winter capital of the princely state of Bushehar is famed for its distinctive lore and charm seasons served on lush platters. For lovers of History, Nature or those looking for Peace away from the citiesized chaos of life, Rampur Bushahr has everything to offer.

These are the best things to do in Rampur Bushahr, a hidden jewel of the Himalayas!

1. Padam Palace: Witness Living in Royalty

The history of Rampur is synonymous with the glamorous facade of Padam Palace, built over a 100 years ago. This was once home to the royal family of Bushahr. The palace, named after Raja Padam Singh displays a fine mix of Indo-European style with beautifully carved wood designs and majestic columns.

Today the palace is a private residence and not accessible to the public, but you can still admire its beautiful facade and learn more about the Bushahr dynasty. You can also take a long peaceful walk from the surrounding gardens.

2. Lavi Fair: A Grand Cultural Celebration

The Lavi Fair of Rampur Bushahr is one of the liveliest and oldest fairs in Himachal Pradesh. A rolling festival that takes place annually in November, this four-day fair can be traced through the ages as a trading fest back to the days when Raja Kehri Singh used to act as broker for traders from Tibet and Ladakh where they exchanged natural & other fitting goods.

At the Lavi Fair, visitors can experience the local culture while watching traditional dance performances, purchasing handmade goods such as Kinnauri shawls and dry fruits, and sampling Himachali delicacies. Takhatpur Cattle Fair is a great place to learn about the lifestyle of the region.

3. Nurture Your Spirit at Dummer Buddhist Temple

A couple of kilometres away is the Dumber Buddhist Temple, a calm temple nestled in a scenic location. This monastery which is constructed in Typical Tibetan style of architecture is quite famous among the religion followers and tourists as well. A statue of Lord Buddha sits in the middle of this temple, which has a peaceful ambiance to meditate and contemplate.

Dumgir Temple: Dumgir (For the believers in Buddhist culture and spirituality)

4. Sleek beauty of sutlej river

The charming town of Rampur Bushahr lies by the Sutlej River. The clear water and greenery that surrounds it also provide a good place for those who want to take amazing pictures. If you like silent walks on the banks of a river, being alone on that water bank can only make you wonder about the beauty of nature at Sutlej River.

Fishing, and in season, white water rafting are aimed at the more adventurous. Since the river flows through a backcountry terrain, it is also crooked and can be quite an experience for trekkers and nature aficionados.

5. Next Milestone: Sarahan Trek: Entry Point to Kinnaur.

Starting point of various treks Rampur Bushahr, one of the most favoured destinations from Rampur Bushahr is Sarahan, just 40 km. from here. Sarahan, also referred as the gateway to Kinnaur, is known for its beautiful vistas of snow-capped Shrikhand Mahadev Peak and Bhimakali temple- the temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.

The temple of goddess Bhimakali, and also so it is a very important pilgrimage location, has large wood carving and wooden architecture. The village will not only give you insights into the traditional Himachali lifestyle with old Himalayan houses and rustic terraced fields.

The trek to Sarahan is moderate and can be undertaken by seasoned trekkers as well as beginners. Up top, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the sprawling mountains and valleys.

6. Indulge in Local Cuisine

One cannot escape without slurping on some of the local food. Himachali cuisine, also known for its simplicity and use of ingredients found locally. In fact, if you do visit the Rampur district, try out a few of the traditional dishes.  Madra (chickpea curry cooked in yoghurt), Chana Dal with spinach and Siddu (steamed bread stuffed with a savoury filling).

In addition to these delicacies, Chutney of ‘Lingerie’ (a fiddlehead fern) can also be had in many local restaurants. Accompany the meal with a glass of cool Kinnauri apple juice or the home brew Chulli.

7. Visit The Temples of Great Traditional Values in Rampur

There are many ancient temples in Rampur Bushahr representing the rich heritage of this region. The temples that are a must visit are :-

Raghunath Temple: Dedicated to Lord Rama this is one of the oldest temples in Rampur and a splendid example of traditional Himachali jewellery architecture.

Narsingh Temple: At a certain distance from Rampur, this temple of Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar is a must visit. Devotees flock to the temple for pilgrimage

Maheshwar Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the banks of Sutlej River Set in lush greenery and owing to its historical state it is considered a calm place of worship.

8. Shop for Local Handicrafts

However what really interests the local handicrafts collectors is Rampur Bushahr The Hill station is famous for its handwoven Kinnauri shawls made of wool which are sometimes matched with geometric notching patterns. These shawls are perfect souvenirs to carry back home.

Woollen caps, wood crafts and the local spices. especially red chilies, as Shanag locals get from Nichar village of Shimla if you are travelling during the Lavi Fair you can also shop from all original artisans and traders.

9. Bhusher Hydroelectric Project (visit)

Bhusher Hydroelectric Project, one of the biggest hydel power stations in Himachal Pradesh is situated near Rampur Bushahr. Not quite a popular tourist spot, it gives you an idea of the engineering marvels from the region and how they put their natural resources to good use.

10. Local Festivals and Fairs

Besides having the Lavi Fair, Rampur Bushahr does have other festivities in which they participate most enthusiastically. Epitomised by the Sipi Fair, organised every year in May, this event involves all the villagers gathering together to worship Lord Shiva. From here tourists can enjoy the folk dance, traditional music and an absolutely colourful environment.

Conclusion

This place gives a history, culture, nature and spirituality all over lying in it; where Rampur Bushahr Is A Place To Be. Whether you are here for the royal history, scenic landscapes or local traditions Rampur has something to offer everyone. While wandering through this enchanting town, you will realise the reason for its fame in Himachal Pradesh.

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