Museum on former royals to be inaugurated in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has so far attracted tourists largely due to its scenic beauty but visitors to the state are set to have a new experience with the opening of a museum highlighting the life of former royals in Kangra.

The lifestyle of the former rulers will be showcased at the Maharaja Sansar Chander Museum in Kangra, about 248 kms from here, which will be opened to the public on April 6 by Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The museum is built by Tikaraj Aishwarya Katoch of the erstwhile royal family of the Kangra district.

This museum, which has been erected besides the famous Kangra Fort, shall have all the exhibits of the Katoch dynasty, who built the fort.

Covering an area of 463 acres, it is said to be the largest fort in the Himalayas and presently under the Archaeological Survey of India.

The museum will have different sections including a darbar hall, kangra paintings, armory and costume.

Members of the erstwhile royal family of Kangra, Tikaraj Katoch and Saileja Katoch, said creation of the museum shall attract large number of national and international tourists.

They said that the museum is a tribute to Raja Sansar Chand?"II, who captured the fort back from the clutches of Mughals.