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Saturday 2 July 2011

Places to see in Chamba

Here Is Description of some Important places to visit in Chamba

Laxmi Narayan Temple : Laxmi Narayan temple is an old temple built in 10th century AD and is the main temple of town of Chamba.The temple complex houses many temples such as temple of Radhe Krishna,Gauri Shankar ,And temple of Lord Shiva.The main temple building contains-Shikahara,a Garbh Griha and a small antralaya.The roof top of the temple is covered with umbrellas to protect the temple from snowfall.These umbrellas give this temple an unique look.

Champavati Temple : Champavati temple was built by King Sahil Verman in memory of her daughter Champavati,who is worshipped as goddess by local peoples of Chamba.This temple is as large as the main temple of Chamba,the Laxmi Narayan temple.The stone carvings of this temple is magnificient and it is built in Shikhara style.

Vajreshwari Temple : There is no historical record of this temple although it is believed that this temple is about 1000 years old.Like other temples of Chamba it is built in Shikhara style.There are two minor temples on either side of the main temple building.This temple is dedicated to Goddess Vajreshwari-who is regarded as Goddess of Lightening.

Akhand Chandi PalaceThis palace was built by King Umed Singh during mid 17th century.The palace was rejuvenated many times by successors of the king.The palace gives a blending look of Mughal and British architecture.The palace has a durbar hall and Zenana Mahal(Palace for ladies).Later this palace was sold to Himachal Government which in turn transferred it to education department.The palace gives a magnificient view of Laxmi Narayan temple,Sui Mata and Chamunda Devi temple,and Rang Mahal.

Rang MahalRang Mahal is an imposing structure and one of the finest monuments of Chamba.It is located near Surara Mohalla.Just like Akhand Chandi palace ,Rang Mahal is also an amalgamation of Mughal and British architecture.Presently the palace is owned by handicraft department of state government and most of the romms are used as workshops for handicrafts.Most of the paintings of this palace has been moved to Delhi Museum.Towards west of Rang Mahal lies the royal granary and treasury.The painted doors has been preserved in Bhuri Singh Museum in Chamba itself.

Bhuri Singh MuseumBhuri Singh museum is named after king Bhuri Singh.The older building has been demolished and anew building stands at that place.Paintings of Bhagwat Purana and Ramayana in peculiar style are inspired by Basohli idiom of painting whereas Krishna, Sudama, Rukmini vivah and Usha-Anirudh and portraits in prime Guler-Kangra style were executed by the artists who were patronized by the Chamba rulers. The embroidered Chamba-Rumals are related in style since pahari painters made their drawings though the household ladies did the embroidery. Besides these major items of collections, there are coins, hill jewelry and costumes- both traditional and royal, arms and Armour, musical instruments and various decorative objects.
Museum is closed on Monday.

Sui Mata templeSui Mata temple is located on Shaha Madar hill.A steep flight of steps comes down to a small pavilion just above the Saho road. From the Saho road the flight of steps continues down to the main town a little to the east of Chauntra Mohalla. At the end of the flight of steps there is another small pavilion with gargoyles with running water.There is alegend associated with this temple.According to the legend when Raja Sahil Varman founded the town and made this aqueduct for water supply to the town the water refused to flow. It was ascribed to supernatural causes. It was prophesised that the spirit of the stream must be propitiated, and the Brahmins, on being consulted replied that the victim must either be the Rani or her son. Another tradition runs that the Raja himself had a dream in which he was directed to offer up his son, where upon the Rani pleaded to be accepted as a substitute. Thus on a appointed day the Rani along with her maidens was buried alive in a grave. The legend goes on to say that when the grave was filled in the water began to flow.Sui Mata ka Mela(The fair of Sui Mata) is held annually at this spot.

Chamunda Devi TempleThis temple also lies on Shaha Madar hill.The view of the town from here is majestic.The temples stands on a platform.Behind the temple there is a small temple dedicated to lord Shiva.Internally,temple is decorated with beautiful carvings on walls pillars and roofs.Because of its view this place is preffered picnic spot of Chamba all the year round.

Hari Rai templeThis temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and dates back to 11th century.The temple enshrines a marvelous bronze image of Lord Vishnu in the form of Chaturmurti.This is one of the major old temples, which is away from the old township and the only one near the Chaugan,lying towards nort west border of Chaugan.

ChauganChaugan is the centre of all activities in Chamba.The Minjar Mela (Minjar Fair)is held annually here in Chaugan.Because of great pressure on Chaugan the quality of its turf is fast deteriorating. Chaugan is closed for public after October till April for maintenance.

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