Wood Carving of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is richly forested and the art of wood-carving is well-developed. The fine traditions of temple-carving can be found at Chatrahi and Brahmour with their minute chiselling and skilful sculptural decorations. The temples have flat roofs and rising shikaras, with intricate etchings on pillars and doors in the basholi style. The skills of the wood-carvers is also shown through domestic wares like water pitchers and eating bowls — the village Koona near Brahmour is noted for them. Chamba specialises in large wooden boxes used for grain storage. These are geometrical in shape and have abstracts or animal motifs on them. Traditional houses have square carved boxes with picture windows, richly carved doors, and brackets of figures leaning out.