Chamba - Travel in India
56 kms from Dalhousie and 120kms from Pathankot, Chamba is famous for its historical, traditional and natural beauty. The story goes that in 1920 King Sahil Verma founded this place for his daughter Champavathy. Chamba lies on the banks of river Ravi, and is also known as the Valley of Milk and Honey. The temples here have exquisite carvings. 3 mountains- Dhauladhar, Peerpanjal and Laskar surround Chamba. Spring time brings the 'Minjar ' fair and in April, the 'Suhi' fair.
The tribals, Gaddi and Pangwal also live in the mountains. Their lifestyle is totally different from the people of Chamba. Even their clothes and languages are different. But the original inhabitants of Chamba are these tribals and therefore Chamba is filled with various cultures. Chamba's rivers and streams, waterfalls and meadows, forests and mountains are scattered far and wide. On every turn you see a new picture. The museums and ancient temples have tourist's visiting them from all over the world. The Vishnu and Shiv temples built beside's each other near the palace are a wonder in themselves. Some of the temples were made in the 10th century.
Many of the valleys in Chamba can be visited by foot. Some of the valleys reach Kashmir. The area attached to Pangi and Chamba are filled with dense forests. Bharmaur is 1981 mts above sea level and Pangi is 2438 mts above sea level. Pangi is also called the Valley of the river Chenab. Kilad in the Peerpanjal mountains, is an area that is difficult to reach. It is 137 kms from Chamba and 4447 mts to 6432 mts above sea level.
Bhurisingh Museum: This museum houses Chamba's sculpture and other local art. The paintings have been preserved along with their crafts. This museum is closed on Mondays and open on all other days from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The tribals, Gaddi and Pangwal also live in the mountains. Their lifestyle is totally different from the people of Chamba. Even their clothes and languages are different. But the original inhabitants of Chamba are these tribals and therefore Chamba is filled with various cultures. Chamba's rivers and streams, waterfalls and meadows, forests and mountains are scattered far and wide. On every turn you see a new picture. The museums and ancient temples have tourist's visiting them from all over the world. The Vishnu and Shiv temples built beside's each other near the palace are a wonder in themselves. Some of the temples were made in the 10th century.
Many of the valleys in Chamba can be visited by foot. Some of the valleys reach Kashmir. The area attached to Pangi and Chamba are filled with dense forests. Bharmaur is 1981 mts above sea level and Pangi is 2438 mts above sea level. Pangi is also called the Valley of the river Chenab. Kilad in the Peerpanjal mountains, is an area that is difficult to reach. It is 137 kms from Chamba and 4447 mts to 6432 mts above sea level.
Places of Interest:
Bharmaur: This is where you find the Gaddi tribals. This place is always covered with snow. In winter these tribals take their sheep and goat by their well-known paths to Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur and Chamba where they can graze their animals. Once the winters are over they return to Bharmaur. A temple from the seventh century and other old temples are worth visiting. To go from here to Hudsar, mini buses and taxis are available. From Hudsar to Manimahesh is a 14.5-km walk. In the old days Bharmaur was the capital of Chamba. Some temples worth visiting are the Ganesh, Manimahesh and Narsingh. This place is 65 kms from Chamba.Bhurisingh Museum: This museum houses Chamba's sculpture and other local art. The paintings have been preserved along with their crafts. This museum is closed on Mondays and open on all other days from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
