Introduction

The town of Chamba is 22 kilometers (13.67 miles) from Khajjiar and local lore has it that it that this was founded at the instance of Sahil Varman’s daughter, Chameshni who was enamoured by the spot; the town is regarded to be named after her. A variation says that the place name comes from the ‘Champaka’ flowers – but yet, Chameshni, is worshipped in Chamba as a goddess. Replete with history and built and intangible heritage, Chamba has several attractions. These include the Laxmi Narayan group of temples with six main 'shikara' style ones and several smaller shrines; this group is renowned for its finely executed classical forms. From north to south the main shrines are - Lakshmi Narayan, Radha-Krishna, Chandragupta Mahadeva, Gauri Shankar, Tri-Mukeshwara and Laxmi Damodar. The complex also holds some minor shrines. Three of the main temples are dedicated to Shiva and three to Vishnu. All the main temples have a square sanctum and an 'antrala'. The Hari Rai temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and stands by the Chaugan gate; the bronze image with gold and silver inlays, depicts Vishnu as ‘Chaturmurti’ and stands an impressive 1.17 m high. The temple of Sui Mata lies on the Shah Madar hill. The Champavati Temple was also built by Sahil Varman, and there is reason to believe that this was named after his daughter who is now worshipped as a goddess. The Bansi Gopal temple is also built in the ‘shikara’ style and temple lies on the banks of the river Ravi. The Sita Ram temple is located in Chamba’s ‘Mohalla Bangota’. The Chamunda Devi Temple is built high on the hill above town at a position where a superb view is available and was rebuilt in the seventeenth century; this has excellent carvings on stone and wood.

The Rang Mahal palace was built in the eighteenth century and additions were made later. An interesting mix of British colonial and Saracenic styles, this held superb wall paintings - some of which are now displayed in the local Bhuri Singh Museum. The Akhand Chandi palace lies opposite the Lakshmi Narayan temples and this imposing building once housed Chamba's ruling family.

St. Andrew's Church is over a century old and is a dressed-stone structure with lancet windows and epitomise the bare minimum of decorative devices used in Scottish churches. The Bhuri Singh Museum is named after Raja Bhuri Singh who ruled Chamba between 1904 and 1919; this was opened in 1908. The displays include embroideries like the rare Chamba rumals, miniature paintings, copper-plate inscriptions, murals, carved and painted doors, stone carvings and several items of princely paraphernalia. Chamba’s Chaugan is a large open space in the heart of town and is almost like its social heart; this also forms the core of the lower terrace of Chamba. The wide concourse of the Chaugan has traditionally been utilized for sports events - or durbars when Chamba was a princely state - and for various fairs and festivals, especially the 'Minjar Mela'.

Special Attributes

1000 year old town with remarkable history and heritage

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Comfortable but conservative.

Connectivity

Taxis and buses

Enjoyed by

History, heritage, art and architecture lovers and general interest.

Exposure

This is along a valley floor with fairly high temperatures in summer and humidity.

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Restaurants, hotels, parking and medical facilities

Things Not Allowed

No shoes in the temples

Tip

Try and plan a trip for the entire day.

Type of site

Small town