Himachal plans 'cemetery tourism' for foreigners

Shimla, Jul 19 (PTI) With many foreigners having been
buried in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh when
Shimla used to be the summer capital of the British Raj, the
government is planning 'cemetery tourism' to attract their kin
to the hill state.

The Department of Tourism is in the process of
documenting cemeteries of Britishers across the state which
would be compiled in a book and also put on its website, its
secretary Manisha Nanda told PTI.

The survey work for documentation is over and compilation
exercise is in progress, she added.

A number of Britishers and other foreigners died and were
buried in different parts of the state during the Raj,
including Shimla, Dalhousie, Kasauli and Mcleodganj.

Among them was Viceroy Lord Elegan who came to India in
1862 and died in 1863. According to his last wish, he was
buried in Mcleodganj, 22 km from Dharamsala.

Dr John Hatichen, who had opened the first leprosy
hospital in Chamba, has his grave there.

More than 400 British soldiers who died in a devastating
earthquake in Kangra in 1905, were laid to rest in Mcleodganj.

The cemetery at Kasauli, a picturesque destination in
Solan district, is over 200 years old.

Britishers had set up military base at Kasauli about 300
years ago. Many officials and soldiers of the East India
Company were buried at the town.

The HP Tourism secretary said the kin of those foreigners
who died in the state often visit the graveyards to offer
prayers.

With an aim to attract more such people to make a trip to
the state, the state government has planned to launch this
scheme, she said.

Nanda said the Department would consider providing some
concession to people visiting the state under the scheme and
staying in tourism department hotels. PTI SNS
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