Hoshiarpur: Culture, Craft and History

Hoshiarpur brings together architecture and woodcraft with a history that is also visible across the wider district. Sheesh Mahal Hoshiarpur, furniture crafted from sheesham wood and finds from Dholbaha offer different cultural points of interest for your trip.

Sheesh Mahal and Archaeological History

The name Sheesh Mahal means Palace of Glass and refers to the building’s glass interior walls and ceilings. Lala Hans Raj Jain had Sheesh Mahal Hoshiarpur built in 1911. Paintings on the first floor depict the coronation ceremony of King George V. The building thus brings together two distinct aspects: its interior design and an image depicting a specific historical event.

The Hoshiarpur Archaeological Museum houses prehistoric artefacts from Dholbaha. Many artefacts discovered in Dholbaha from the Gurjara-Pratihara and Paramara dynasties can be viewed there. Dholbaha is considered an important archaeological site; reports say it dates back to prehistoric times. Evidence suggests that Dholbaha was a flourishing temple town between 700 and 1200 AD. The finds therefore complement the architectural history of Sheesh Mahal with the past of a place in Hoshiarpur district.

Woodcraft in Hoshiarpur

In Hoshiarpur town, dark sheesham wood is made into furniture with dense, engraved and inlaid leaf patterns. Hoshiarpur’s woodcraft also includes khardila turners. They decorate turned wooden furniture with designs engraved into a lacquer coating. The leaf patterns stand out on the sheesham furniture, while the khardila work features designs engraved into the lacquer layer.

Hoshiarpur’s traditional wood inlay craft also has a long history: it has been passed down through generations for more than 350 years. Hoshiarpur district is known for making inlaid products such as flooring, wall panelling, furniture and decorative items. This information adds further forms of woodworking to the picture of the local furniture craft.

Religious Sites Nearby

Near Hoshiarpur, Gurdwara Garna Sahib is located in the village of Bodal, about 39 km away. According to tradition, Guru Hargobind Sahib visited the gurdwara. In Beh Nangal, about 40 km from Hoshiarpur, is Kamahi Devi Temple, also known as Kamakshi Devi Temple; it is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi. Dera Sant Garh is in Harkhowal, approximately 13 km from Hoshiarpur. The approximate distances and different locations can help you distinguish between these destinations when planning your trip.

The Surrounding Landscape

Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary is about 20 km from Hoshiarpur. The 382-hectare protected area lies in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and is characterised by mixed deciduous forests. These are home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant life, including numerous bird species. Prior permission from the Forest Department is required to visit the sanctuary.

Getting to Hoshiarpur

The nearest domestic airport to Hoshiarpur, the district headquarters, is Adampur Airport, 25 km away. The city’s main bus station is the Bhagwan Balmiki Interstate Bus Terminal Hoshiarpur. Regular buses connect Hoshiarpur with other major cities in India.

For the broader travel overview: Punjab.