Characterised by the layered interlocking of wood-and-stone, the stone plinth, double-skinned walls, and intricate wooden carvings, Kath Kuni architectural structures, native to Himachal Pradesh, are the epitome of beauty. However, there’s more than what meets the eye. The structures have stood the test of time, and have survived for centuries in regions that frequently experience seismic tremors and earthquakes.
Kath Kuni is derived from two words, kath, meaning wood in Sanskrit, and kona, which means corner. True to its name, the indigenous architectural style is highly influenced by the region’s topography, and predominantly uses local resources such as wood and stone of the Himalayan landscape.
In Himachal, you would spot this kind of vernacular style in Kullu district, especially in the villages of Naggar, Old Manali, Chehni Kothi and Malana. From majestic temples such as Hidimba and Naggar Castle (built around 1460 AD) to modest houses, Kath Kuni can be implemented in…