Arki Travel Guide

Arki was the capital of the princely hill state of Baghal, the state was founded around 1643 and Rana Sabha Chand declared Arki as its capital in 1650.The Arki Fort is a converted hotel and attractive to visit.

This tiny hill kingdom offers an excellent release from the noise and pollution of the plains. Primarily geared for a leisure break. Arki also does its bit for the more active tourist. There are jungle trails and caves to explore, there’s birdwatching and challenging treks, both long and short. There are ancient shrines in the valley there are picturesque temples upon the gentle summits. The chambers and gardens of the fort-palace throw up their own pleasurable surprises by day or under the stars. Take your pleasures as you may at Arki.

The original palace of Arki, built by Rana Prithvi Chand in 1700 AD was located near the old Laxminarayan Temple where the present-day bazaar is at the foot of the fort. By 1760, erosion caused the palace to start sinking. Steps were initiated to relocate it in the old fort that soared above the valley on a wooded hill teeming with deer wild hogs, jungli murgi and leopards after which the Baghal royal dynasty was named. What’s left of the leopard population still roams these hills.

Dwon in the bazaar the cluster of shops and dinky red-roofed houses are reminders of its colonial lineage.

The Fort High on a spur overlooking the town at 4200 ft, Arki Fort offers grandstand vies on clear days you can see as far as Sabathyu, Kasauli and Shimla. In the monsoon, the sound of thunder bounces off the sturdy walls as you lie cocooned in the fort. Perfectly located it was the strong bold of the ruthless General Ama Singh Thapa from where he ruled much of Himachal and Garhwal in 1815-1816.

Diwan-I-Khas

Arki’s great patron of the arts, Raja Kishna Chand was responsible for the lavish interiors of the great audience hall in Arki Fort. The vast chamber, 35 ft long and 15 ft wide is split into two sections and interspersed with archways that frame the stunning vistas of Arki. He wanted something magnificent and breathtaking within a fitting foil to the enchanting vistas without. He commissioned artists from the different hill states who had settled in Arki to create a showpiece of their collective skills within the portals of the Diwan-I-Khas. Amongst the fabulous murals that cover the walls and ceiling and pretty archways in here, visitors will discover the stunning variety of different styles of Indian miniature painting of the highest caliber.

Little wonder tha tArki’s dazzling regal gallery has attracted specialists and art lovers from around the globe. Sadly one section of the chamber has collapsed and with it has perished a sizeable chunk of Arki’s priceless heritage.

Temple The hillsides of Arki are studded with pretty little shrines some dating back several centuries, which are deeply meaningful to Arki’s residents. The Jakholi Mandir is renowned for its shikara style architecture. The Luturu Mahadev Temple is also a much-revered shrine. Check out the Shakti Mahadev, Bhairon and Durga temples too. The ancient Bhadrakali Temple is on the outskirts of Arki.