Chamba is a district in Himachal Pradesh that is famous for its exquisite beauty and wealth. It holds some historical treasures too. When we hear the name Himachal Pradesh, the visuals of lush green surroundings, snow-laden mountains, beautiful lakes, and never-ending scenery gather around us.
Charming Chamba
The beautiful destination Chamba will leave you mesmerized. It is the perfect example of ultimate beauty. Concealed in the Shivalik ranges of a beautiful valley, Chamba has some of the most marvelous architectural marvels. There are various Chamba tours and travel packages that have all the beautiful locations in their itinerary.
Chamba is situated at a height of 3300 ft on the banks of the Ravi River at the point of its convergence with its tributary, Sai River. The beautiful landscapes, local cultures, traditions, and magnificent surroundings will definitely leave you stunned.
The festivals of Chamba are a special attraction because of the passion you see in them. Adding to a memorable experience the Pahari paintings will leave you in awe. These paintings spread their roots to history in the 18th century. Chamba is filled with attractions that will take a lot of time to explore.
Chamba has some of the most pristine lakes, beautiful temples, palaces, and a museum of wildlife.
A Brief History
Chamba was founded by Raja Sahil Varman in the year 920 AD. The annual Gaddi festival- Minjar Mela has been celebrated every year since 935 AD. The entire town of Chamba Valley is dominated by ancient stone temples and boasts a tranquil, unhurried lifestyle. The Chaugan ground in the center of town occupies a place of pride in Chamba.
Chamba is an ancient town dating back to the 2nd century BC. The earliest rulers of Chamba can be traced back to the 4th century AD when it was ruled by Ranas and Thakurs.
From the 6th century AD onwards, Rajputs started ruling Chamba Valley and made it their capital. Raja Sahil Varman founded Chamba town in the 10th century AD. After that, the town remained under the Mughal rule for some time before coming under British rule.
After our independence, Chamba became a part of the undivided Punjab state. In 1966, a new state was carved out of Punjab which was named Himachal Pradesh and Chamba became a part of it.
Places to visit in Chamba
Laxminarayan Temple
This is the oldest and the largest temple of Chamba. It was built by Raja Shail Varman in the 10th century. It has the shape of Shikara with enchanting idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
The amusing architecture attracts a lot of attention. It has wooden Chattris that regulate the climate inside the temple irrespective of the weather outside. It does not matter how hot the weather is outside, it will always remain cool inside. The Vishnu idol is made of marble and spreads energy all around it.
The entrance to the temple has a metallic image of Garuda. Garuda is known as the vaahan or vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
Champawati Temple
The next name on the list of places to visit is Champawati Temple. This temple was also built by Raja Sahil Varman in memory of his daughter. The temple is located in the heart of the city.
The temple will enchant you with its complex stone carvings and a large wheel on the roof. It is a captivating sight. The walls of the temple are filled with beautiful stone sculptures.
Champawati temple is a holy site that is visited by a lot of people who come here for pilgrimage. The temple has an idol of Mahishasurmardini, who is known to be an incarnation of Maa Durga, a respected God symbolizing the power of women.
The Champawati temple is usually compared to the Laxminarayan temple for its architecture and beauty.
Chamunda Devi Temple
Situated in the Shah Mader hill range, Chamunda Devi temple is situated opposite Chamba town. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is a 300-year-old temple that is dedicated to the Goddess Kali.
It was built in the 18th century by Raja Umed Singh. The entire temple is made out of wood which is the most astonishing fact. Chamunda Devi temple is the only temple built of wood. However, it has a gabled roof.
The surroundings present stunning views. You will witness the marvelous view of the valley as well as the Himalayas. There is an Agni Kund or a fire pit in the courtyard. The devotees can take a dip in a water tank that is made inside the temple and rejuvenate themselves.
Earlier tourists needed to climb around 400 steps to reach the temple, but now a good road has been built that has made the way easier.
Akhand Chandi Palace
This palace was built by Raja Umed Singh who used it as his residence. It was built between 1747 and 1765 but was renovated under the British rule. The beauty of the palace is its architecture, which reflects the intelligence of people at that time.
Akhand Chandi Palace, also known as Chamba Palace, overlooks various other prominent tourist attractions in the area. The arc-style windows, complex work on wood, and glass on the inside walls will give you a glimpse of architecture from that period.
To top it all, it has a distinct green roof which sets it apart from any other attractions in the area.
Rang Mahal
This is one of the most iconic buildings built by Raja Umed Singh in the 18th century. This red building brings an amazing fusion of British and Mughal architecture. The interiors of Rang Mahal are decorated with beautiful stunning sights.
This building is now converted into a state handicrafts department which holds a handicraft emporium. You can buy many local specialties from the emporium. These include shawls and handkerchiefs spun on wooden looms which attract a lot of attention. You can also buy the traditional Chamba pickles from the emporium.
It is open to visitors two times every day. From 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm. It is closed on Sundays. Entry to the emporium is free, which makes the experience even greater. You can buy some local stuff at a very reasonable price.
Bhuri Singh Museum
Bhuri Singh Museum was established to honor Raja Bhuri Singh. If you are a history geek and want to get a peek at the epics of India, this is the best place for you. The Bhuri Singh Museum displays all the artifacts from the rule of Raja Bhuri Singh.
You will see a variety of items from that period. Initially, when the museum was built, it only had paintings made by Raja Bhuri Singh. But now this museum houses articles like frescoes, carved doors, antique jewelry, royal costumes, and musical instruments of the royal family.
You will also find some original pages of Mahabharat and Upanishads here. There are rare copper and brass engraved coins that are a cherry on top. The museums are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm and are closed on Monday.
The entry fee is ₹10 for Indians and ₹50 for foreigners. An additional fee of ₹50 is applied if you want to enter the premises with a camera.
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
It is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh. Spread across an area of 31 square km, Kalatop wildlife sanctuary is situated on a hilltop. It lies on the way from Chamba to Dalhousie and Khajjiar.
The beautiful green park has various trekking trails. The beauty of this sanctuary is the river Ravi that cuts through it and makes for a vibrant sight.
You can see a variety of wild animals here including jackal, bear, deer, barking goral, langur, and Himalayan black marten. You can also catch sight of exotic birds like pheasants, grey-headed canary, and Eurasian Jay.
The sanctuary is covered with fir, blue pine, and deodar trees that create a majestic view of the Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas. Sit on the bank of the Ravi River and put your feet in fresh cold water, this will be a refreshing experience.
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary offers a tranquil environment with beautiful views of the wildlife present here.
How Can You Get There?
Now you might be wondering how you can get to this beautiful destination. There are various holidays packages for Chamba available on the internet.
Unify Holidays has also prepared various holiday packages for Chamba. We have made sure that you gather the most memorable moments of your life on your vacation.
We have packages for family trips, friend’s trips as well as solo trips. If there is any specific location, you want to add to your itinerary you can let us know and we will be more than happy to plan your itinerary accordingly.
We are a government-approved tour and travel agency so you can be assured that your trip will be on your terms. We will do all the planning for you, so you don’t have to worry about anything. All you have to do is pack your bags and make the most of your vacation.