My home town :-)

Chamba Town - View from Chamunda Temple
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Chamba - land of Lord Shiva & Parvati, temples, mountains... beautiful place. Well I was born & brought up here & that means this my hometown. So you must be wondering why am I writing this article like a out-of-place guy.

Well my wife & me decided to explore Himachal as a tourist. We wanted to see what difference it would make. And to tell you truth sometimes going back to your place as a tourist rather than native can be really interesting and full of surprises.

A scenic Himalayan town

Lord Vishnu - Laxmi Narayan Temple - Chamba
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We started from Pune on 4th of Sep and after traveling for nearly 46 hours, first via train and then taxi; we landed in Chamba - exhausted. But it was a wonderful moment. Don't worry, I won't write about my relatives :-))...

Chamba

The town, founded in 920 A.D, was named after King Sahil Varman's daughter Champavati, this ancient town is famous for beautiful temples - Laxmi Narayan (Lord Vishnu) the most famous one, and Chamunda Temple providing magnificent view of the town and surrounding area. The Chowgan, a huge grassy field, is the center of town life - the gathering point for all things religious, political and social. The Gandhi gate on the Chowgan’s face was built to commemorate Lord Curzon’s visit to the town in 1900.

Chamunda Temple Entrance - Chamba
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On the way to Chamba, you can see Chamera Dam built on river Ravi. The view is magnificent. Well you can't click a pic due to security reason but you can sure enjoy the beauty. Lofty mountains on one side & deep gorge on the other. One can also take halt at Kandu, a very small place, for snacks and tea. Its yummy. Also there is natural spring nearby where travellers can quench their thirst. Water is crystal clear, tasty.

The 10th century Laxmi Narayan temple is the most beautiful temple. Beside Lord Vishnu, there are other small temples of Shiva-Parvati, Hanuman, and other deities in the same complex. The 11th century Hari Rai temple is another popular attraction with pilgrims and is noted for its exquisite bronze image of Chaturmurti - the four armed Vishnu. And if you are interested in history, Bhuri Singh Museum is the place that houses a collection of ancient Chamba artifacts and manuscripts.

Khajjiar
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When in town, look for local artifacts like Chamba Chappal (embroidered leather slippers), Shawls, and pickle (achaar). Chamba is bound to bowl you over with its scenic beauty, temples and its sense of tranquility.

Minjar – the main fair of this hilly town. Each year in July/August, the Minjar fair is held, when gods and goddesses are brought down from their mountain homes to the sound of drums and music, to pay homage to Lord Raghuvira. During the weeklong harvest fair, the Chaugan comes alive as villagers dressed in colorful costumes celebrate with song, music and sport.

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Khajjiar

Also known as mini-Switzerland of India, this is a place where you can spend 2-3 days. It is such a lovely place that you won’t feel like leaving this place. Surrounded by huge trees – deodars (cedar), the main fascination is vast green meadow. There is a small lake in the heart of the meadow but due to negligence, it is infested with wild-grass.

You can just sit and relax and forget about fatigue. & If you feel hungry, there are many places around ranging from small restaurants to few hotels to satisfy your appetite. There is also an old temple – Khajinag, from which this place derives its name. If you want to explore the surroundings, the best way is to hire a horse and start your adventure. Or play cricket in the ground. You will find many cricket-enthusiastic local guys playing around & the best part; you can join them and have fun.

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Dalhousie

Built in 1850s, the township was named Dalhousie after Lord Dalhousie, the first British Governor General of India. Spread out on edge of the Dhauladhar Range, it has a pretty charm and serenity. This is a perfect place where you can retreat, relax, and rejuvenate physically and spiritually. The lovely tree clad slopes around Dalhousie are dotted with colonial bungalows, pretty holiday homes and cottages with flower filled gardens that offer splendid views of the Himalayan ranges and fertile valleys. Dalhousie's crisp invigorating air, its clean surroundings, its fresh green environment and its bracing climate is a perfect choice for a spending your vacations. There is a small Tibetan market where you can purchase articles ranging from electronic gadgets to warm jackets, pullovers. But don’t forget to bargain.

Chamunda Temple - View from my home
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Next, we moved on to another Himalayan beauty – Manali.