Temple Attractions

Sightseeing in Chamba is all about temples. The town is known for its finely carved temples built in the shikhara or the spire style of the Indian plains. They are devoted to Vishnu (the Preserver of Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Shiva (the Destroyer) as well as to different avatars (forms) of Devi (goddess). The worship of Shiva was established earlier but Vishnu gained popularity only in the 9th century. The uninterrupted 1,000-year rule of the Pahari kings in Chamba resulted in their being the finest and best-preserved temples in north India.

To one side of the Akhand Chandi Palace (now a college) stands the Bansi Gopal Temple dedicated to Krishna and houses a fair collection of stone images. The small Surara Temples are found down a series of alleyways in the area called Muhala, a 10-minute-walk from the Bajreshwari Temple. The Shri Sita Ram Temple might not be very impressive to look at, especially with its coat of blue paint in the lower half. Here too, are interesting stone sculptures. The Devi-ri-Kothi Temple houses some of the oldest paintings of the town. The bigger and more important temples of Chamba are dicussed below in details.

Rang Mahal

Old Palace now houses the Himachal Emporium. It is a good place to buy your shawls and rumals from.

Treks & Other Sports

Treks - There are a number of interesting treks from Chamba. Two of the toughest and most exciting treks are to the Pangi Valley and the Manimahesh Lake. A branch of the Manali Mountaineering Institute at Bharmaur organizes treks and provides information and equipment like tents and sleeping bags. June-October is the best time for trekking. Here are some of the longer treks you could try –

Chamba – Bharmaur (by bus) – Hadsar – Dhancho – Manimahesh.
Chamba – Bharmaur (by bus) – Hadsar – Kugti – Duggi – Alyas – Kugti Pass – Shansha – Rohtang Pass – Manali.
Chamba – Bharmaur (by bus) – Sisar – Bhadra – Bhassein – Kalicho Pass – Triloknath – Rohtang Pass – Manali.
Chamba – Bharmaur (by bus) – Tissa – Traila – Strundi – Bindrabani – Kilar – Purthi – Raoli – Tindi – Salguraor – Udaipur.
Chamba – Sach Pass – Kilar – Kishtwar (in Jammu and Kashmir).

Some of The Shorter Treks Are–

Chamba – Saral.
Chamba – Bhandal.
Chamba – Chhatrari.

Water Sports

The Ravi and its innumerable tributaries meandering through picturesque gorges and valleys, foaming over rocks and boulders, provide excellent opportunities for white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. There’s also enough fish in these waters to keep anglers satisfied.