MOUNTAIN ESCAPES
| CHAMBA |
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| Chamba guide >>> Chamba travel guide and tourist information on
Chamba, how to get to Chamba, also details on sightseeing in Chamba, best time to visit
Chamba and accommodation in Chamba |
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When you seek an unusual break
from the hackneyed hill station theme, turn your searchlight towards Chamba, a scenic
Himalayan town just 50 kms from Dalhousie. Chamba blossomed as the ancient capital of the
Pahari Rajas; it was named after King Sahil Varman's daughter Champavati. Today it is the
quintessential valley township, famous for its myriad temples, forests and charming hill
folk. At 915m, Chamba rises above the river Ravi as it rages by, leaving verdant valleys
and dense deodar forests in its wake. The forests surrounding Chamba are rich in wildlife
- ibex, marmot and snow leopard haunt the upper reaches above the snowline, and musk deer,
brown bear, leopards and wild boar inhabit the lower elevations. |
Mountain birds such as the partridge and
pheasant flit across the vale. Pretty waterfalls and streams tumble down the mountainside
and at every turn, the valley's beauty seems to grow.
Chamba is strewn with intricately carved temples topped by spires in the Shikhara style.
The shrines are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The 10th and 11th century temples
of Laxmi Narayan and Hari Rai are particularly ornate and
popular with pilgrims and sightseers alike.
The Chowgan, a huge grassy field, is the centre of town life in Chamba -
the gathering point for all things religious, political and social. The Gandhi Gate on the
Chowgan's south-west face was built to commemorate Lord Curzon's visit to the town in
1900. Other interesting places are the Akhand Chandi Palace, now a museum
and the Bhuri Singh Museum that houses a collection of ancient Chamba artefacts and
manuscripts.
Many a trek into the Himalayas is launched from Chamba - through Bhaderwah to Kashmir,
through the Sach Pass into Pangi Valley and to other peaks in the Dhauladhars, Peerpanjal
and Laskar mountains. Bharmaur (65 km), the ancient capital of Chamba, is
a popular village that can be accessed by road. The Gaddi tribes lead their goat and sheep
to pasture at Bharmaur in summer. While in the area, visit the sacred Manimahesh
Lake where thousands have a holy dip around Janamashtami.
Chamba is bound to bowl you over with its scenic beauty, temples and its sense of
tranquillity. Try it - you'll like it!
Getting to Chamba
Chamba is 580 km from Delhi and120 km from Pathankot, the closest railhead. The nearest
major airports are at Jammu and Amritsar, both 245 km away, from where buses, taxis and
tourist vehicles are available. Dalhousie is just 50 kms away from Chamba. Within Chamba,
you can move around in taxis, jeeps, buses and minibuses.
Best time to visit Chamba
Summer - April to October - is quite the best time to be in Chamba; the weather is
pleasant barring the monsoon months of July and August. Summer temperatures range from
8°C at night to 39°C during the day, while winter temperatures drop to freezing -
between 10°C and 1°C. Cotton clothes and light woollens are fine for summer, but heavy
woollens and snow clothes are required in winter.
Accommodation in Chamba
Himachal Tourism and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam have deluxe rooms in Chamba town.
There are private hotels, motels and guesthouses where you can get low and medium budget
accommodation. Tariffs range from Rs 400 upwards. Book in advance, especially during
tourist season.
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