If the Kangra fort can be termed the crown of Kangra district, the superb Taragarh Palace between Palampur and Baijnath can be called jewel in the crown. Sprawling in 15 acres, Taragarh is fabulous in its architectural grandeur and artistic taste. It was the personal summer resort of the Nawab of Bahawalpur Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V. It was Built in 1931. The original name of the estate was AI Hilal meaning "The Cresent Moon" but later it was changed to Taragarh when Maharani Tara Devi, the wife of Raja Hari Singh of Kashmir acquired it in 1950. Dr. Karan Singh, who inherited the property after the demise of his mother Maharani Tara Devi in 1967 converted it into a heritage hotel in 1971.
The interior is gorgeously decorated with family photographs and other artifacts. Here you can see Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir, his father and other family, Maharani Tara Devi's supervising presence and Dr. Karan Singh as a little boy. It is rather interesting to re-live history of the region in the company of this illustrious family looking at you from the walls. The old flower-vases, pieces of heritage furniture, and family heirlooms give the place a distinctly royal look.
It may be of interest to note that in days of yore Taragarh attracted the film people from Bombay and Jugal Kishore's Lal Bangla was filmed in this palace. The Palace has an attractive blend of opulence and homeliness, perhaps because it has been a summer resort, and never a seat of power.
Location: 11 kms from Palampur
More Kangra District Forts
If the Kangra fort can be termed the crown of Kangra district, the superb 
