Pragpur

Pragpur, founded around the late 16th century and named for a Kangra princess, was declared a heritage village in 1997 — the first in India — with the adjoining Garli. Its core keeps a Rajasthani-influenced streetscape: the Taal, a rectangular tank ringed by buildings, a cobbled square, the Butail mansion and other merchant havelis, and the Judge's Court, a restored 1918 manor now run as a hotel. The village grew on trade and on remittances from Sood families who did business across northern India. It makes a slow half-day of walking and a base for the Kangra fort circuit.

1. Pragpur is about 40 km from Kangra and 20 km from Jawalamukhi, off the Nadaun road.
2. Nearest airport is Gaggal (Kangra); Una and Pathankot are the nearest major railheads.
3. Buses run from Kangra and Dehra to Pragpur; taxis are easy to arrange.

October to March for comfortable daytime temperatures; the valley is hot in May and June.

• It is a lived-in village, not a museum — be considerate photographing homes and people.
• Facilities are limited; the heritage hotels are the main option for meals and stays.
• Pair it with Garli, the twin heritage village a couple of kilometres away.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.