Chamba :
Chamba, the valley of milk and honey is known for its streams, meadows, temples, paintings, rumal ( handkerchief ) and lakes. Chamba has few rivals for its scenic beauty. Chamba is situated at an altitude of 926 metres. and spreads in the area of 24 km. There are three well defined ranges in the district - The Dhauladhar range, the Pangi or Pir Panjal range and Zanskar range. Located on the banks of the Ravi river the township resembles an Italian village fortress. Chamba's temples are mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu and are built of richy engraved stone. The town is also the base for Gaddi shepherds who, though nomadic in their way of life, return to Chamba periodically to stock supplies. Chamba is so sheltered by snow-clad mountain barriers that its monuments escaped destruction at the hands of invaders, which is why it still remains one of the best preserved heartlands of the Himalayan arts.
Famous Places Around Chamba :
Kailash Manimahesh : ( 4,170 metres ) Mani-Mahesh is
28 kms. from Bharmour. During mela days efficient bus service is available
upto Hadsar. This lake is supposed to be blessed by goddess Kali and
protected by Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims journey here to bathe
in its sacred water, on the fifteenth day, following the festival of
Janamashtami. A fair is held every year at this lake during the month
of August or September. This is the must seen place in Chamba.
Bhuri Singh Museum : Bhuri Singh Museumis one of the
oldest museums in India. It was set up in September 1908 by the Raja
Bhuri Singh under the guidance and inspiration of venerable historian
of Indian Art Professor John Philip Vogel. It is on the world art map
because of its finest collection of Pahari miniature paiting chieflu
Chamba and guler Kangra styles. Apart from the paintings, the museum
houses a large collection of epigraphs, copper plates, historical documents,
manuscripts, sculptures in stone, metal and wood, Chamba rumals, coins,
murals, wood carvings, armour and other decorative arts. Opens daily
from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. except on Monday and gazetted/local holidays.
Lunch time is 1:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. It is also open on Sunday.
Temples : Chamba has numerous ancient temples patterned
in the style of local hill architecture, as well as Shikhara temples.
The main groups of of these temples, Lakshminarayan, as well as most
in the region are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu, built in the period
between the 8th and 10th centuries A.D. The 'Chaturmukhi' image is a
major highlight at the Hari Rai Temple. Some other important temples
of Chamba are the Bansi Gopal temple, Shri Bajreshwari temple and Chamunda
Devi temple. There is also a shrine dedicated to the memory of Rani
Suhi who, as the legend, sacrificed herself, so water could to the town
Chamba.
Chamab Chaugan : A public promenade - a grassy maidan
less than 1 km. in length and about 75 metres wide. It is a busy local
trading centre for villagers from the surrounding hills. Each year Chaugan
is the site for the Minjar procession ( Minjar Mela ). The fair lasts
for a week and people attend the fair in the Minjar procession. The
fair lasts for a week and people attend the fair in the local customs
and colorful dresses, in a gay mood walking in the Chaugan where a large
number of sports and cultural activities take place to commemoratethis
occasion. On the conclusion of fair the "Minjars" are immersed into
the Ravi river. It is also an establishment base for various exciting
treks into the valley around.
Chamba Town : Located on the banks of the Ravi river
the township resembles an Italian village fortress. The weather of Chamba
is always pleasant, not too cold and not too hot because of its typical
height of 1006 meters from mean sea level. A gentle cool breeze is refreshing
the whole town at intervals. There are many famous places around Chamba
Town. Chamba is known for its streams, meadows, temples, paintings,
rumal ( handkerchief ) and lakes. Chamba Town sometimes experiences
snowfall during winter that adds to the beauty of Chamba Town. The people
of Chamba are very helpful and innocent. Chamba Town is also the main
market for many villages from near and far.
Laxmi Narayan Temple : Laxmi Narayana Temple, which
is the main temple of Chamba town was built by Sahil Varman in the 10th
century AD. The temple has been built in the Shikhara style. The temple
consists of Bimana i.e. Shikhara and GarbhGriha with a small antralya.
Laxmi Narayana Temple has a mandapa like structure also. The wooden
Chhattries, the shell roof, atop the temple were in response to the
local climatic conditions as a protection against snowfall. There are
several other temples within the complex. The temple of Radha krishna,
Shiva Temple of Chandergupta and Gauri Shankar Temple are among these.
Chamunda Devi Temple : This temple is located on the
spur of the Shah Madar Hill overlooking the town to its south east.
The temple stands on a raised platform. The temple has artistic carvings
on its lintel, pillars and the ceiling. Behind the main temple is a
small shrine of Lord Shiva in the Shikhara style. There is another platform
in front of this temple where two very old peepul trees provide shelter
to the visitors. From this platform a bird's eye view of most of the
land marks in the town including Chaugan, Circuit House, most of the
temples and river Ravi can be had. The temple is being looked after
by Archaeological Survey of India. This temple can be approached by
road from Chamba ( 3 km. ). The temple is an ideal picnic spot throughout
the year because it has an easy approach and a commanding view.
Hari Rai Temple : This temple is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu and dates back to 11th century. It was probably built by Salabahana.
This temple lies in the north-west corner of the main Chaugan, which
had became the official entrance to the town by the end of 19th C. A
steep path leads to the old Shitla bridge, which was constructed in
the year 1894. The temple is built in Shikhara style and stands on a
stone platform. The Shikhara of the temple is finely carved. This is
one of the major old temples, which is away from the old township and
the only one near the Chaugan.
Chamba Church : Situated in the main Chamba market
is the beautiful Chamba Church. This Church was erected by Raja Sham
Singh and gifted to the church of Scotland mission for the use of the
christian community in Chamba. Its foundation stone was laid on 17th
February, 1899 A.D. and its work was finished in 1905 A.D.
Chamba Library : Inside the Government College of Chamba
is the old Chamba library. You can find books on almost every topic
of Himachal Pradesh here, i.e. Himachal history, geography, states,
books explaining ancient art and culture along with photographs of ancient
coins, armour etc. If you are interested in the monuments, manuscripts,
ornaments, wooden articles of utilities etc., found in the Bhuri Singh
Museum, then you must visit Chamba Library. Here you can find truck
loads of books on these topics. There is also an office situated near
the library and you can find various books on other topics here. And
not to mantion, you can also find mystery-thriller and adventurous novels
of various writers here.
Sui Mata Temple : According to a legend, the Chamba
town had no convenient water supply. And therefore the Raja had a water
course made from the Sarohta stream, but somehow the water refused to
enter the channel made for it. It was ascribed to supernatural causes.
The Saints advised that the spirit of the stream must be tranquilized
and victim must be either Rani ( Queen ) or her son. The Rani named
'Naina Devi' got ready to sacrifice herself. Accompanied by her maidens
and bare-headed as for 'Sati', she was taken to the spot near the village
of 'Balota', where Rani was buried alive. The legend goes on to say
that when the grave was filled in, the water began to flow and has ever
since flowed abundantly. A shrine was constructed at the top of thehill
by Raja in her memory. A fair called 'Suhi Mela' is also held in her
memory from 15th of Chait to the 1st of Vaishakh, where only women and
children are allowed to participate.
Bharmaur : ( 2,195 metres ) 65 km. ) Bharmour was the
original capital of the state of Chamba. It has several ancient temples
and monuments that reflect its erswhile glory. Some of the important
temples are of - Manimahesh, Lakshna Devi, Ganesh and Nar Singh. This
region is also home to Semi-nomadic Shepherds, the Gaddis. Once called
Brahmpura, still retains its 84 ( Chaurasi ) ancient temples and the
monuments of its one time glory, some of which date back to the 7th
century A.D.
Chaurasi Temples : The main complex have temple of
Lakshana Devi, Ganesha, Manimahesh and Narsingha. According to a legend,
84 Yogi's visited Bharmaur during the region of king Sahil Verman. Pleased
with the king's humanity and hospitality, the yogis blessed the king
with ten sons and a daughter Champawati. The temples dating back to
the 9th century, are one of the most important early Hindu Temples in
Chamba valley. The distant of 65 km. from Chamba to Bharmaur is covered
by road. Special buses ply only during Chhari Yatra days in September.
Lama Dal : Held sacred to Lord Shiva, this lake lies
amidst bare rock. 'Lama Dal' means a long lake. It is in the inner slopes
of Dhauladhar range. This is a group of seven lakes, the largest of
all is Lama Dal. It is 20 km from Dainkund (Dayankund). It is said to
have unknown depth.
Pangi Valley : This range of the Himachal in the Mid-Himalaya
called Pir Panjal by geologists and Pangi Range by common people. It
is the direct continuation of the main Himalayan axis entering the Himachal
on the East of Bushahr. After dividing Kullu from Lahaul-Spiti, it enters
Chamba territory on the Western border of Bara Banghal and traverses
the district for more than sixty miles. This range divides Chamba into
two unequal sections and separate these from each other to such an extent
that even in the summer there is comparatively little inter communications.
The Northern or smaller section called Pangi and Chamba-Lahaul, is then
completely isolated from the outer world.
Tourism
in Chamba :
In reality, Chamba has no rival for its scenic beauty. It is my favourite place in whole Himachal. The most attractive thing which pulls me towards Chamba is the high cultured society of Chamba. Tourism in Chamba offers everlasting memories of a place that is so beautiful yet so easily accessible. If you stay here for a few days, you feel like you have spent a whole year and this is the key quality of Chamba as far as tourism in Chamba is concerned. Chamba has places i.e. Dalhousie and Khajjiar which are on the world map for tourism activities in Himachal. So lets know what is so special about toruism in Chamba. Chamba has crossed 1000 years of establishment. Tourism in Chamba is most suitable to those who are religious minded because of uncountable number of temples. Chamba is very very famous for its beautiful temples made in Shikhara Style. Chamba has the most sacred place in whole Himachal known as Manimahesh ( Mountain Kailash ) which is said to be the home of the principle deity of Himachal - the obvious Lord Shiva. Tourism in Chamba offers many places to visit i.e. Bharmaur which is famous for its famous Chaurasi Temples ( 84 temples ), Dalhousie which is the most quiet hill station in India, Khajjiar which has been given the name Mini Switzerland, Pangi Valley which is famous for its breath taking beauty of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar range. All in all, tourism in Chamba offers a tourist the most beautiful tourism experience combining adventure tourism, religious tourism and fun oriented tourism. Chamba is one of the must visiting places in Himachal.
District Chamba : General Information
Altitude : varies from 610 meters to 6,400 meters.
Headquarter : Chamba (altitude 1006 metres )
Location : Chamba is situated in the western Himalayas
between north latitudes 32°10' and 33°13' and east longitudes 75°45'
and 77°33'. The Chamba district touches the boundaries with Jammu and
Kashmir on the North-West and West, Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir
and Lahaul and Bara Banghal on the North-East and East, Kangra on the
South-East and Gurdaspur district of Punjab on the South.
Access by Air : Nearest airport is Gaggal ( Kangra
) 135 km. and Amritsar 220 km.
Access by Rail : The nearest broad gauge railway station
is at Pathankot 120 km.
Access by Road : Almost each and every part of the
state is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is
running its buses covering the whole state. There is huge network of
HRTC to cater the needs of the people.
Distances : Shimla 378 km., Mandi 334 km., Manali 470
km., Kangra 180 km., Delhi 640 km., Jammu 245 km., Amritsar 245 km.,
and Haridwar 610 km., Manimahesh Lake 100 km., Bharmaur 65 km.,
