|
The town of Chamba, the district headquarter of Chamba district is
situated in the western Himalayas between north latitudes 32°10'
and 33°13' and east longitudes 75°45' and 77°33'. The town stands
on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi river valley between
Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges south of the inner Himalayas. This
town was founded by Raja Sahil Varman when he conquered the lower
Rani valley from the petty chiefs called Ranas and Thakurs in the
beginning of 10th Century. It seems the original name of the town
was Champa as mentioned in Kalhan's Rajtarangani. In the bansauli
or genealogical rolls of the Chamba Rajas a reference occurs of
place which was adorned with highly fragrant Champaka trees and
guarded by Goddess Champavati or more popularly known as Chameshni.
The temple was built by Sahil Varman in the honour of his daughter
Champavati who is worshipped as a goddess in Chamba. Champavati
temple became the family temple of the ruling family.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Chamba has a number of temples, Palaces and stylised buildings.
The striking objects of interest are the old temples which exhibit
architectural beauty of design and execution.
LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE:
Laxmi Narayana Temple, which is the main temple of Chamba town was
built by Sahil Varman in the 10th century AD. The temple has been
built in the Shikhara style. The temple consists of Bimana i.e.
Shikhara and GarbhGriha with a small antralya. Laxmi Narayana
Temple has a mandapa like structure also. The wooden Chhattries,
the shell roof, atop the temple were in response to the local
climatic conditions as a protection against snowfall.
There are several other temples within the complex. The temple of
Radha krishna, Shiva Temple of Chandergupta and Gauri Shankar
Temple are among these. The temple of Laxmi Narayana continued to
be embellished by the Rajas who succeeded to the throne of Chamba.
Raja Balabhadra Verma perched the metallic image of Garuda on a
high pillar at the main gate of the temple. Raja Chhatra Singh
place gilded pinnacles on the temple tops in 1678 as a reaction
against the orders of Aurangzeb to demolish the temple. Later
Rajas also added a shrine or two, thus enriching the complex.
CHAMPAVATI TEMPLE:
This temple is located behind the City Police Post and Treasury
building. As mentioned earlier the temple was built by Raja Sahil
Varman in memory of his daughter Champavati who is believed to
have influenced her father to set-up Chamba at its present
location. The temple is in the Shikhara style with elaborate stone
carving and the wheel roof. The size of this temple is equivalent
to the largest of the Laxmi Narayana Temple.
VAJRESHWARI TEMPLE:
This ancient temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is
dedicated to Devi Vajreshwari-Goddess of lightning. The temple is
situated on the northern most corner of the town at the end of
Jansali Bazar. No historical record of the temple is available.
The temple is built in the Shikhara style with wooden Chhattries
and stands on the platform. The Shikhara of the temple is
elaborately carved. There are two other minor temples on either
side of the main shrine.
SUI MATA TEMPLE:
This temple can be divided into three parts which can physically
spread apart. The temple of Sui Mata is on an elevation of Shah
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. The flight of stone
steps to the aqueduct from the Sarota stream was built by Sarda,
the Rani of Raja Jeet Singh (1794-1808). 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 prophasised 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.
In
memory of her devotion a small shrine was erected at that spot and
mela called Sui Mata Ka Mela was also appointed to be held
annually from 15th of Chait to the first of Baisakh. This fair is
attended by women and children who in their best attire sing
praises of the Rani and offer homage to the Rani for her singular
sacrifice.
CHAMUNDA DEVI TEMPLE:
This temple is located on the spur of the Shah Madar Hill
overlooking the town to its south east. The temple stands on a
raised platform. The temple has artistic carvings on its lintel,
pillars and the ceiling. Behind the main temple is a small shrine
of Lord Shiva in the Shikhara style. There is another platform in
front of this temple where two very old peepul trees provide
shelter to the visitors. From this platform a bird's eye view of
most of the land marks in the town including Chaugan, Circuit
House, most of the temples and river Ravi can be had. The temple
is being looked after by Archaeological Survey of India.
This temple can be approached by road from Chamba (3 kms). It lies
on the right hand side of the Chamba-Jhamwar road. School going
children and pilgrims prefer to take the flight of steps from
Sapri to this temple. There steps were got constructed by Raja Raj
Singh (1764-1794 AD).
The temple is an ideal picnic spot throughout the year because it
has an easy approach and a commanding view.
HARI RAI TEMPLE:
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and dates back to 11th
century. It was probably built by Salabahana. This temple lies in
the north-west corner of the main Chaugan, which had became the
official entrance to the town by the end of 19th C. A steep path
leads to the old Shitla bridge, which was constructed in the year
1894. The temple is built in Shikhara style and stands on a stone
platform. The Shikhara of the temple is finely carved. This is one
of the major old temples, which is away from the old township and
the only one near the Chaugan.Much of this temple is hidden behind
some unimaginative structures of the British period behind the
Gandhi Gate and the Fire Station Building. The Gandhi Gate was
built in the year 1900 to welcome Lord Curzon, Viceroy. It is the
only structure that has been coated with saffron colour and stands
out because of its prominent colour.The temple enshrines a
marvellous bronze image of Lord Vishnu in the form of Chaturmurti.
The temple of Hari Rai is believed to be of great antiquity and
legend affirms that the Ravi once flowed in a shallow stream
across the Chaugan and the temple had to be approached by stepping
stones.
CHAUGAN:
The Chaugan is the heart and hub centre of all activities in
Chamba. Tradition is silent as to its use as a polo ground and the
name is etymologically distinct from Chaugan, the Persian name of
Polo, being of Sanskrit origin and meaning 'four-sided'. Initially
the five Chaugan were a single patch of meadow. In 1890s the
leveling of the Chaugan was done. It became a public promenade and
Cricket ground for the British. Annual Minjar Mela is held in the
Chaugan. Local people can be seen promenading in the Chaugan till
late night. Gaddies with their deras can also be seen camping on
the outskirts of this beautiful public promenade. Because of great
pressure on Chaugan the quality of its turf is fast deteriorating.
Chaugan is closed for public after Dusshera till April for
maintenance.
AKHAND CHANDI PALACE:
Construction of this residential building of the Chamba family was
started by Raja Umed Singh sometimes between 1748-1764 AD. The
place was rebuilt and renovated during the reign of Raja Sham
Singh with the help of British engineers. The Darbar Hall (Marshal
Hall) was built in 1879 by Capt. Marshal and the Zanana Mehal was
added in the reign of Raja Bhuri Singh. The subsequent additions
and alterations clearly betray the Mughal and the British
influence. In 1958 the Palace building was sold by the descendants
of the royal family to the Himachal Government. The latter handed
it over to the Education Department for the purpose of starting a
Government College and District Library. The beautiful structure
of the palace with its painted walls and glass work, ceiling,
intricate woodwork are fast deteriorating, since sufficient funds
are not available for the maintenance of this monument. The palace
has a commanding view of the Chaugan, Laxmi Narayana Temple, Sui
Mata, Chamunda Devi Temple, Rang Mehal, Hari Rai Temple and Bansi
Gopal Temple.
RANG MAHAL:
One of the largest monuments, Rang Mahal is located in Surara
Mohalla. The foundation of Rang Mahal was laid by Raja Umed Sing
(1748-1764). The super structure of RangMahal, which is in brick
belongs to a later date with its southern portion built around
1860 by Raj Sri Singh. The architecture of Rang Mahal is an
amalgam of Mughal and British styles. This palace was the
residence for a branch of the ruling family. Its fort like looks
justify its use as royal granary and treasury which is on its
western side. Once the palace must have hummed with activity of
busy servant and the frolics of the royal blood but now under the
aegis of Handicrafts Department of the State Government, most of
the rooms of this palace are being used as work-shops for making
shoes, chapples and rumals. A number of decorative and colorful
wall painting have been removed and taken to National Museum of
Delhi. Some of the wall paintings and richly painted doors of the
palace can be seen preserved in the Bhuri Singh Museum of Chamba.
BHURI SINGH MUSEUM:
Bhuri Singh Museum at Chamba opened formally on 14-09-1908, it is
named after Raja Bhuri Singh who ruled Chamba from 1904 to 1919.
Bhuri Singh donated his family collection of paintings to the
museum. The idea to open a public museum came from J. Ph. Vogel,
an eminent Indologist who was serving A.S.I. and who through an
intensive exploration had discovered, read and analyzed old
inscriptions dispersed far and wide in the territory of Chamba
state. These inscriptions mostly in Sarda script shed important
light on the mediaeval history of Chamba. The prasastis of Sarahan,
Devi-ri-kothi and mul Kihar are now preserved in the
museum.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 their drawings were made by pahari painters though the
embroidery was done by the household ladies.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.The old museum building which
merged well with the landscape of Chamba was pulled down and the
present concrete monolith was inaugurated in 1975. The museum
remains open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the year except
on Monday and other gazetted holidays.
MINJAR MELA:
Minjar is the most popular fair of Chamba which is attended by a
large number of people from every nook and corner of the district.
This mela is held on the second Sunday of the Shravana month. The
fair is announced by distribution of Minjar which is a silk tassel
worn on some parts of the dress by men and women alike. This
tassel symbolises the shoots of paddy and maize which make their
appearance around this time of the year. The week long fair begins
when the Minjar flag is hoisted in historical Chowgan. The town of
Chamba wears a colourful look with every person turning out in
best attire. Most part of the Chowgan is converted into markets
and people do brisk business during this week. Sports and cultural
programmes are organised. On the third Sunday the gaiety,
colourfulness and enthusiasm reaches its crescendo when the
colourful Minjar procession of the deities accompanied by dancing
troupes, traditionally attired locals, traditional drum beaters
along with Police and Home Guards band, begins its march from
Akhand Chandi Palace for the venue near the Police Lines Nalhora.
A great concourse of people is already assembled there. Earlier
the Raja and now the chief guest throws a coconut, a rupee, a
seasonal fruit and a Minjar tied in a red piece of cloth - Lohan -
as offering to the river. This is followed by all the people
throwing their Minjars into the river. Traditional Kumjari-Malhar
is sung by the local artists. Betal leaves and ittra are offered
to everyone among the invitees as a gesture of respect and
festivity. Untill 1943, a live buffalo used to be pushed into the
river to propitiate it. It if was carried away and drowned, the
event was regarded as propitious, the sacrifice having been
accepted. If it crossed the river and reached the other bank, that
also was auspicious as it was believed that all the sins of the
town were transferred to the other side of the river.Minjar
fair has been declared as one of the state fairs of Himachal
Pradesh. Wide coverage is given on TV and print media. Undoubtedly
Chamba is at its very best during this fair that generally falls
in the month of July/ August.
SAHO:
Twenty kms from Chamba is the village of Saho on the right bank of
Sal river. The village is situated on a high plateau of great
beauty. Saho is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Chandra
Shekhra i.e. the moon-crowned God, Shiva. The temple is hidden
behind the locality in a tree grove. Two magnificent images of
Shiva can be seen at the entrance and a huge Shivaling is
enshrined in the sanctum. Facing the temple is a life size Nandi
bull carved with fine details.According to Sarahan Prasasti, "The
temple was constructed by Stayaki, a local Rana in order to
establish friendship between his wife Somprabha and the daughter
Parvati". It is believed that the temple belongs to a period
earlier than transfer of seat of power from Bharmour to Chamba in
10th century. In the month of August/ September a mela is held in
the compound of the temple. This mela coincides with Manimahesh
Yatra.During summer Saho wears a golden mantle of wheat crop and
in August/September the fields are lush green with paddy crop. The
spring water of Saho is supposed to have medicinal value. There is
a Forest Rest House at Saho.
BHARMAUR:
65 kms from Chamba is the land of legendary Gaddies, i.e. Bharmaur.
Known as Brahmpur in the 6th century, was the seat of power of
Chamba state for some 400 years till AD 920, when a new capital
was founded at Chamba by Raja Sahil Varman. Bharmaur is known for
some very old archaeological remains, primarily the temples. All
these temples stand on a level area which call the Chaurasi after
the 84 Siddhas who are believed to have meditated in Bharmaur over
1000 years ago. These Siddhas hailed from Kurukshetra and visited
Manimahesh.The oldest temples in the complex are those of Lakshna
Devi and Ganesh. Both these temples are made in the hill style
with gable roofs and rubble masonry. The outer facade, the inner
facade of sanctum, circum ambulatory path and the ceiling are
exquisitely carved. The idol of Lakshna Devi in her incarnation as
Mahisasurmardini is magnificent.The tallest temple in the whole
complex is of Manimahesh built in Shikhara style of architecture.
The temple has a Shivalingam on a raised platform. The other
temple in Shikhara style is of Nar Singh. Lord Vishnu in his avtar
as Nar Singh has been cast vividly. There is a bronze Nandi of
life size which stands facing the Manimahesh temple. Inscriptions
on the pedestal of the bull and on the idols of Lakshna Devi and
Ganesh date back to the reign of Raja Meru Varman. These idols are
believed to be the work of master craftsman Gugga. There is a
small water source called Ardh Ganda in a corner of the temple
complex. Bathing in its water is considered religiously
significant. The country around Bharmour is regarded as belonging
to Shiva and is sometimes called Shiv-Bhumi. Being the home of
nomadic shepherds Gaddies it is also called Gadderan.Just 4 kms
above Chaurasi temples is the hill temple of Bharmani Devi. A
trek to this temple refreshes the visitors as it unfolds the green
woods before him.The best period to visit Bharmour is between
July and September.
CHHATRARI:
45 kms from Chamba via road is this famous village of Chhartrari.
The village is inhabited mostly by the Gaddies who are semi-postral
lot engaged in rearing of sheep and goats. This village, situated
at a height of 6000 feet, its famous for its remarkable hill-style
temple of Shamti Devi.The temple of Chhatrari is regarded as one
of the holiest ones competing with well known temples of "Lakshna
Devi" at Bharmour and of "Bhawani" at Kangra. The construction of
the temple is simple. It consists of a small Cell or sanctuary in
which one of the rare brasses by the master craftsman Gugga is
enshrined. The walls of the temple are built of rubble masonry
alternating with beams of wood. The structure is surmounted by a
sloping roof of slate. The roof is supported by richly craved
wooden posts which form a VARANDAH or circumambulatory path round
the sanctum. The Shakti Devi temple is of interest owning to the
elaborate decoration of its facade, ceiling and pillar. The
sanctum, its architecture and sculpture betray a conscious effort
on part of its builder to introduce a highly refined post Gupta
art in this remote part of Chamba.The main idol in the temple is
that Shakti. This fine brass statue, 4 feet 6 inches tall shows
Shakti holding in her hands a lance (Power, energy) and a lotus
(life), a bell (aether, space) and a snake (death and time).
Besides this main idol there are almost thirty other small
figurines of tutelary deities like Annapurna. Some of these are
believed to have been brought from far South or the State of
Orrisa.
According to the inscription at Chhatrari the temple was built by
Raja Meru Varman, by whose order the inscription was engraved
alongwith the names of his father, grand father and great grand
father as well as that of the sculptor. This epigraph commemorates
Meru Varman's victory over his rivals with the help of the
Devi.The outer walls of the sanctum are covered with frescoes
which are of recent origin and represent scenes from PURANAS.Near
the Shakti Devi Temple is the temple of Gauri Shankra. The stone
image of Gauri Shankra is of later origin. The work can be
attributed to the 10th century AD which indicates a long period of
sculptural activity in the region.A few minutes walk up the
mountain slopes from the main village is the Charauta temple which
houses a stone image of BHATOD NAG who gives water to the people
in return for one black and four white goats every three
years.There are two interesting legends connected with the
village. Villagers had to fetch water from a nearby village call
Makain. Once, a Chela of a siddha while carrying water fell prey
to bears. The Siddha invoked the deity to solve the water problem.
Inspired by the Devi he made 36 marks with his trident at
different places in the village and water gushed out from the
points where the marks had been made. There are 36 water sources
in the village around which beautiful PANIHARS (Fountain slabs)
can be seen.
According to J. Hutchison the village was named Chhatrari at a
later date when Raja Bala Bhadra (1589-1611) made a grant of 36
LARHIS to the temple following an accidental death of a cow at the
hands of the Raja. One larhi is equal to three acres of land and
such Lahris are today known as Chhatrari.In the month of September
a mela is held on the third day after the mela at the Mani-Mahesh
lake whence a man brings a Lota of water with which the idol of
Shakti is bathed. On this day a number of sheep are slain to
appease the goddess and to invoke her blessings. After the prayer
the gaddies in their traditional costumes dance to the tune of
local music.The village is approached either from Gehra from where
a bridle path leads to Chhatrari or from Luna-Ka-Pul from where a
steep trace is to be ascended to reach the village or by the
motorable road, experiencing a scary ride almost 700 to 900 feet
above the river Ravi as one nears the village. The ascent on foot
is most rewarding as the visitors are welcomed by lush green
fields and orchards at the outskirts of Chhatrari. Chhatrari looks
most scenic during September and October. Even on other occasions,
particularly in spring, Chhatrari offers pleasant scenery.
For more Information
Submit Inquiry
|
