Tower fort of Gondhla

Gondhla village is situated at a distance of 18 km from Keylong. Gondhla is a large village and is pretty green with inspiring waterfalls surrounding it; there is a dense growth of poplars too. It is worth stopping here to see the 'castle' belonging to the local thakur (ruler), built more than 300 years ago—locally called ‘Char.’ Gondhla fair is held in July.
It is a seven-storey house with staircases made of wood and has a veranda running around the top. The wood that was used was supposedly taken from Manali. It is called Kath-Kuni style of architecture. Wood is locally called as Kath and corners are known as Kuni. One important characteristic of this style is the complete absence of diagonal or perpendicular member in construction, which gives the building flexibility to severe earthquakes. A mesh of interlocking wooden slippers is created. There are logs of wood in each wall and the building is made of stone.

In essence, the castle is an example of the indigenous timber-bonded stone style of the western Himalayas consisting of alternate courses of stone and wooden beams and cemented together. There is much to see in this neglected, ramshackle and indigenous house—old weapons, statues, costumes and furniture. The fifth storey consists of a personal prayer chamber from where the thakur used to listen to the public and then pass on the judgement from the verandah.
Road to the Gondhla village diverges from the main road and the castle or fort can be easily accessed.