CHAMBA

One of the oldest princely states of India, Chamba was founded by Raja Varman who named the town after his daughter Champavati. Lying between the Pir Panjal and Dauladhar ranges, Chamba lies on the banks of the River Ravi. It is a popular destination for pilgrims who visit the many temples here. Chamba has a grassy promenade which is the focus for the Minjar and Sui Mata festivals.

Location	At an altitude of 990m
Distance	600 kms from Delhi
Weather	Summer: 38C- 15C Winter: 15C-8C

GETTING THERE:

By Road: Regular local buses and taxis connect Chamba with Dalhousie (3 hours), Patankot (6 hours) and Dharamsala (9 hours).

PLACES TO SEE:

Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex: houses six temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Brajeshwari Devi Temple: An intricately carved temple dedicated to Brajeshwari, it conforms to the shikara style and is topped by a wooden amalaka.

Sui Mata Temple: Colourful paintings around the walls of the temple tell the story of Sui, a Chamba princess who sacrificed her life for the inhabitants of Chamba.

Chamunda Devi Temple: It is a steep climb to this temple dedicated to Durga. The entire wooden ceiling is richly carved, featuring animal and floral motifs and depictions of various deities.

Bhuri Singh Museum: It has an interesting collection representing the art and culture of the region, particularly the miniature paintings of the Basohli and Kangra schools.

Gandhi Gate: This bright orange gateway was built in 1900 to welcome Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy and was the main entrance to the city.

Khajjiar: Flanked by thick forests and a lake in the center, it is a famous tourist spot. One can take a walk or see the area on horseback.

NEARBY PLACES:

Dalhousie : Acquired by the British from the Raja of Chamba, it is famous for its public schools.

Shimla: The summer capital of the British, it still retains the old world charm.

Kullu: Famous for the Dussehra celebrations and is the gateway to Manali.

Manali: A good place for the adventure seeker, it is the starting point for treks into the Himachal hills and also for river rafting and skiing in winters.

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