Arki Travel Guide
Distance : 52km from Shimla
Arki was once the capital of the princely state of Baghal. The place
witnessed the might of many – the neighbouring states of Nalagarh
and Bilaspur, the Gurkhas and the British.
¤ Main Attractions
 On
your travel trip to Arki, must-see is the elegant palace picturesquely
located against a wooded hillside. It is famous for its frescoes done
in the Arki Kalam style, thanks to the art-loving Raja Kishan Chand
(1840-1876). The roof has a splendid floral design, while the wall
murals depict battles scenes and episodes from the Puranas (see the
section Ancient Scriptures and Folklore) and other epics. Do look out
for the brilliant representation of Kalidasa's (one of the earliest
Sanskrit poets) poem Kumarasambhava. Refurbished now, the palace is a
Heritage Hotel. Some of the temples like the Jakholi Temple are also
worth seeing in Arki.
¤ Sair Fair
An important event of Arki is the Sair Fair, held in the honour of
the Banar devta (god) in the months of July and September. Stalls
spring up and there is a lot of singing and dancing, but the highlight
of the fair are the buffalo fights.
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