Blessed
with some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes an
ywhere,
it is a travellers paradise -lofty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush
green valleys, fast flowing rivers, enchanting mountain lakes,
flower bedecked meadows, beautiful temples and monasteries steeped
in time. May it be for relaxing, sightseeing, trekking, mountaineering,
fishing, para-gliding, skiing, ice skating and golf, Himachal
has it all...Come Explore Himachal with Tour my India...
In
the higher reaches of the Ravi Valley, just 56 km from Dalhousie,
Chamba is perched on a little plateau about 100 m above the river.
The capital of an ancient kingdom, Chamba was founded in 920 AD
by Raja Sahil Varma who named it after his favorite daughter Champavati.
Isolated in this valley by the high ranges, Chamba developed its
own style of architecture and art. Much of this heritage has been
preserved and Chamba is known for the elegance of its temples
and for its exquisite miniatures and handicrafts.
Places
to see
Lakshminarayanan
Temple
In a group are six ancient temples carved in stone, with tall
vimanas. Dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu, they were built around
the 8th century AD. The Lakshminarayan Temple, the oldest in this
group, is richly ornamented.
Bhuri
Singh Museum
On display is a collection of fine miniatures from the Kangra,
Basholi and Chamba schools of painting. There are also murals
and paintings from the Rang Mahal Palace which was damaged by
fire.
Chaugan
A large grassy meadow forms the heart of the town and the centre
of all its cultural activities. Each year, the colourful Minjar
Mela celebrating the harvest is held here.
Hari
Rai Temple
This 11th century temple located near the Chaugan, has an exquisite
bronze image of the Chaturmurti - the four armed Vishnu, enshrined
in the sanctum.
Chamunda
Devi Temple
Just 1 km from the Chaugan is a temple overlooking the river,
Dedicated to the goddess Chamunda Devi, the temple is embellished
with fine wood carving
Around Chamba
Katasan Devi Temple
A popular place of pilgrimage, the temple has a beautiful view
of the Chamba Valley. (30 km)
Sarol
Lovely landscaped gardens, a sheep breeding centre and apiary
make Sarol an interesting place for picnics. (11 km)
Jhamwar
Located amid dense forests, Jhamwar is noted for its apple orchards.
(10 km)
Saho
Situated on a high plateau on the banks of the River Sal, Saho
is famous for the temple to Chandrashekhar - Lord Shiva, with
his moon crown. (20 km)
Salooni
(1,829 m)
Another place with breath-taking views of the snow-capped ranges.
(56 km)
Getting
There & Away
Air
The nearest airport is Kangra 180 Km away
Rail
The nearest narrow gauge railhead is Pathankot, 122 Km.
Road
Well connected by road.
General
Information
Altitude
: 996 m.
Temperature : Between 36 C in summer and 0 C in winter
Best Season : Throughout the year
Clothing : (Summers/Winter) Light Woollens/Warm Woollens
STD Code : 018992
Hidden
Treasures of Chamba District
Bharmaur
(2,195 m)
Surrounded by alpine pastures, this is the summer home of the
nomadic Gaddis. At a distance of 69 Km from Chamba town, Bharmaur,
once known as Brahmpur, was between the 6th and 10th centuries,
the capital of the princely state of Chamba. It is renowned for
its cluster of temples-collectively known as the ‘Chaurasi’
Though
of varying architectural design, these temples are noted for their
fine workmanship.
Legend
has it that in the 10th century, 84 holy men visited Bharmmaur,
They blessed the ruler Raja Sahil Varma with ten sons and a daughter
whom the town of Chamba is said to be named. And while some shrines
were already in existence, the Raja had the remainder built to
commemorate their sojourn. These include the Lakshmi Devi Temple,
the Ganesh Temple and the Narsingh Temple. Installed in the sanctum
of the Lakshmi Devi Temple is an exquisite brass image of the
goddess, over a metre high.
From
Bharmnaur, the Kugti and the Chobia passes and the trek routes
they offer can be approached. Other interesting places at hand
are the temple of Bani Mata and picturesque Khundel.
There
are Forest and PWD rest houses in Bharmaur.
Access
Linked by road Chamba which is 65 Km away.
Manimahesh(4,170m)
Sacred to Lord Shiva and his divine consort Parvati, the lake
of Manimahesh is 35 Km from Bharmaur. Past Gaddi villages and
wide meadows that give way to bare rock and snow fields, this
tarn is a three day trek from Bharmaur-via Hadsarand Dhanchha.
The deep blue waters of the lake, rest at the feet of the Manimahesh
Kailash Peak-which is one of the mythological abodes of Lord Shiva.
Access
Accessible from Bharmaur, 35 Km away - a fairly arduous trek.
Bhandal
Valley (1,730 m)
The beautiful Bhandal Valley with its wealth of wildlife is at
the western extremity of Himachal Pradesh. Approachable from Chamba,
it is the base for a trek route that connects Chamba to the Kishtwar
region of Jammu and Kashmir over the Dagni Dhar.
The
route begins along the right bank of the River Ravi, goes past
Pukhri, down to the Siyul stream, then rises to Salooni on the
Prithvi Jor ridge to finally arrive above the valley. From Bhandal
via Langhera one reaches Kishtwar. The highest point on the track
is the Padri Gali at 3,049 m.
Access
Linked to Salooni (22 Km) in the Chamba Valley by road. Accessible
from Chamba.
Pangi
valley (2,438 m and above)
Locked between the Greater Himalayan and the Pir Panjal ranges,
the wild and beautiful Pangi Valley is s137 Km from Chamba. Its
sub divsional headquarters at Killar is located in the deep and
narrow gorge of the River Chandrabhaga (Chenab). The foaming river,
the high crags of the gorge and the difficult terrian are a challenge
for intrepid trekkers.
The
Sach Pass (4,428m) opens the way to several trek routes. Thick
forests the habitat of varried wildlife surround the Pangi Valley
and the numerous side valleys-Saichu, Hunan, Sural Nallah, that
are also endowed with remarkable natural beauty. The temple of
Mindhal Basan Devi in Pangi is an important shrine. Appropriately,
the people of Pangi are as attractive as the tract they inhabit.
Access
137 Km from Chamba. The most convenient route for trekking into
the valley is through the Sach Pass. (4,428m.)
Inner
and Outer Seraj
The Jalori and Bashleo passes stand as markers between the Inner
and Outer Seraj regions of Kullu. Outer Seraj faces Shimla district
and reaches out to touch the River Sultej and Inner Seraj turns
towards Kullu. Ani near the Sutlej provides the access point to
Outer Seraj from Shimla.
Some
of the beautiful unspoilt spots in this area include Khang, a
wide meadow surrounded by thick forest and Takrasi and Paneo which
have fine rest houses. Within Outer Seraj is Nirmand, the largest
village in Himachal.
Closely
allied with the legend of Lord Parasurama, one of the avatars
of Lord Vishnu, Nirmand is known for its exquisite wood and stone
temples. The 5,155m, Shrikahand Mahadwev Peak is a part of Outer
Seraj. Beyond the Jalori Pass the scenic splendour of the Inner
Seraj area unflods. This area has a variety of trek routes.
Access
Accesssible from Kullu and Shimla by road.
Jalori
Pass (3,134m)
The Jalori Pass which links Inner and Outer Seraj is 76 Km from
Kullu. Its crest offers panoramic views of the area. The new pass
is a man-made one and was carved out of the mountain range in
the early part of the mountain range in the early part of the
present century. This is about 150m lower than the old Jalori
Pass.
Surrounderd
by majestic forests, this areas is home to the Himalayan brown
bear and certain varieties of pheasant-including the monal and
tragopan. The Shingar Rishi Temple is close-by, and 5 Km from
the Pass is the jewel like Seolsar Lake.
Access
Jalori Pass is accessible by road from Shimla and Kullu.
Shoja(2,692m)
Shoja in Inner Seraj is close to the Jalori Pass. A charming unspoilt
location of exceptional beauty overlooking lush meadows and tall
snow-capped ranges, Shoja is 69 Km from Kullu via Aut.
The
Raghupur Fort and Dugha Thatch, a lovely grassy meadow very close
to Shoja, are worth visiting.
Access
Shoja is accessible by road from Shimla and Kullu.
Aut
Aut on the Mandi - Manali highway is the entry point to the Kullu
Valley where the road enters the Mandi - Largi gorge. Aut, the
entire reservoir of the Pandoh Dam and Largi are excellent for
angling. The rapids between Shamshi and Aut are splendid for river
running. There are rest houses at Aut and Largi.
Access
Easily accessible as it is on the National Highway from Mandi
to Manali.
Joginder
Nagar(1,220 m)
In 1925, the enterprising Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi created an
elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of Sukrahatti -
which was then renamed Joginder Nagar after him. After tunnelling
and piping the water over several kilometres from the River Uhl
to Joginder Nagar, the power house, Gumma and the haulage trolley.
Access
Joginder Nagar is the last stop of the little toy train that
runs from Pathankot on the main broad gauge line, through the
district of Kangra. Accessible by road from both Palampur and
Mandi as it is on the National Highway form Mandi.
Chail-kufri
Chamba
Dalhousie & Kajjiar
Dharamshala
Kalpa & Sangala
Kasauli
Kinnau & Kangra
Kullu-Manali
Lahul Spiti
Nahan & Solan
Naldera
Parwanoo & Masorba
Shimla
