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Sujanpur Tira Fort Temples
Krishna & Shiva · Kangra Painting · Himachal Pradesh
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
The hill town of Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district holds a fort and temples raised by the Katoch king Raja Sansar Chand in the 18th century, the golden age of Kangra painting. Set above the Beas, its Murli Manohar (Krishna) temple and the Narbadeshwar Shiva shrine are adorned with exquisite Pahari murals, and the town is famous for its grand Holi festival.
The capital of a painter-king
Sujanpur Tira was the capital of Raja Sansar Chand Katoch, under whose patronage the Kangra school of miniature painting reached its height, with its tender scenes of Krishna and Radha. The king built temples and a fort on the hill, and gathered around him the artists whose work gives the Kangra style its fame.
Murals of the Pahari school
The Murli Manohar temple, dedicated to Krishna the flute-player, stands on the town green, and the Narbadeshwar temple of Shiva is celebrated for its walls covered in Pahari murals — scenes of the gods, the Ramayana and the loves of Krishna, painted in the soft colours of the Kangra masters. These frescoes are among the finest surviving examples of the school.
The fort and the Holi fair
Above the town rises the old Tira Sujanpur fort, with its own shrines, looking out over the Beas and the Dhauladhar range. Sujanpur is famous for its Holi mela, a festival of colour begun in the days of Sansar Chand and kept with great spirit, drawing crowds to the historic town each spring.
How to reach the temples
- By road: Sujanpur Tira is in Hamirpur district, about 25 km from Hamirpur on the bank of the Beas.
- By train: Una and Amb-Andaura are the nearer railheads.
- By air: Kangra (Gaggal) airport is the nearest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Sujanpur Tira temples?
They were built by the Katoch king Raja Sansar Chand in the 18th century, the golden age of Kangra painting, of which he was the great patron.
What are the temples famous for?
The Murli Manohar (Krishna) and Narbadeshwar (Shiva) temples are famed for their walls covered in fine Pahari murals of the Kangra school — scenes of the gods, the Ramayana and Krishna.
What is the Kangra school of painting?
It is the celebrated Pahari miniature style that flowered under Raja Sansar Chand at Sujanpur, known for its tender scenes of Krishna and Radha in soft colours.
What is Sujanpur famous for besides the temples?
It is famous for its grand Holi mela, a festival of colour begun in the days of Sansar Chand and kept with great spirit each spring.
Where is Sujanpur Tira?
It is in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, about 25 km from Hamirpur on the bank of the Beas.
How do I reach Sujanpur Tira?
Una and Amb-Andaura are the nearer railheads, and Kangra (Gaggal) is the nearest airport.
॥ जय श्री कृष्ण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deities | Krishna (Murli Manohar) and Shiva (Narbadeshwar) |
| Built | 18th c, Raja Sansar Chand Katoch |
| Famous for | Kangra-school Pahari murals |
| Setting | Hill fort above the Beas |
| Festival | Sujanpur Holi mela |
| Region | Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh |