KULU-MANALI

From the standpoint of antiquity the most interesting of all are two rock inscriptions. One is at Pathiar and the other at Kaniyara near Dharamshala. In each of these the legend in the inscription is in two scripts called Brahmi and Kharoshthi, in use in the Punjab in early time. The former dates from about 300BC and the latter 300 A D.

The temples of this area have a distinction of their own though, by and large, they follow the average pattern of -the temples of Himachal Pradesh excepting those in the Lahul and Spiti district which have a strong Buddhist context.

The wood temples and wood-cum-stone temples of Kulu-Manali complex had enjoyed gifts of free land endowments from the rulers and other affluent donors and could eke out a survival though they appear to have remained in back waters till the British archaeologists appraised them.

The architecture, sculpture, woodcarvings and in some cases paintings lend an attractive background to these temples which appear small in comparison to the massive temples of the South, Orissa or Bihar. Many temples are now abandoned or little known being in rather inaccessible areas.

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