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Attractions
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 hill
overlooking the town to its south east. The temple stands on a
raised platform. The temple has fabulous 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.
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