- How to Get There
- Pangi Valley
- Khajjiar
- Bhuri Singh Museum
- Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex
Chamba : A Painting of a Hill Station
Chamba
Chamba : A Painting of a Hill Station
Cradled in the valley of the Ravi River, Chamba stands out as a princely district. The landscape of this wondrous town is dominated by the many palaces. These palaces are a reminder of the royal maharajas that once called the area their home. When visiting Chamba you should be ready to become fascinated with the multiple attractions the valley has to offer. Pristine streams, completive meadows, peaceful temples, fascinating paintings, quirky rumals and stunning lakes are some of the allures in Chamba. The snow covered peaks offers more than a beautiful background to marvel at. It is an invaluable barrier that had protected the monuments of the region from destruction at the hands of invaders. This has allowed the native arts to flourish in the region.
How to Get There
By Air :
The nearest air port is at Pathankot, 120 Km from Chamba
By Rail :
Pathankot is the nearest railhead from Chamba, situated at the distance of around 120 km.
By Road :
The nearest bus station from Chamba is located at Chowgan 3 km away.
Pangi Valley
One of the many beautiful valleys that the Chamba district has to offer is the Pangi Valley. In fact the beauty of the Pangi Valley is still unspoiled and remains as glorious as ever. The majestic hand of Nature still runs wild in most of the Pangi Valley creating some enchanting sights. The true beauty of this area can be only experienced through a trek through some rather rough areas. Tribals are common in this area which adds another layer to the enthralling wildness of Pangi Valley.
Khajjiar
The pleasant climate and the natural beauty of the landscape have helped to make Khajjiar a viable tourist spot. In Khajjiar the huge expanses of calming meadows and the vast swatches of thick forests vie for your attention. The pristine waters of the Khajjiar Lake will beckon you as will the beautiful Chamera Lake. The amazing beauty of Khajjiar has often been compared to Switzerland.
The most popular activity in the area is trekking and for a very good reason. The best way to discover the scenic spots in Khajjiar is to trek on the various trails. You can explore some magnificent sights hidden away the folds of Khajjiar. The place is rich in natural treasures. You can easily see some exotic animals and rare plants in the Kalatop sanctuary nearby. Zorbing is popular as well
Bhuri Singh Museum
Although it may not seem like it, the Bhuri Singh Museum is quitter famous in the art world. It houses the finest collection of miniature paintings of the Pahari style. More specifically, the guler Kangra and the Chamba styles are represented in this museum along with some fine examples of the Basohli style. Other exhibits in the museum include the copper plates with inscriptions, sculptures, old fountain slabs that are older than a century wood carvings and certain historical documents. However, one of the more fascinating exhibits includes some fine examples of rumal. This is a type of embroidered handkerchief.
Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex
The magnificent Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex lies just opposite to the stunning Akhand Chandi Palace. From a distance the six shikaras look like corn cobs jutting out from the ground. Some of these shikaras date back to the 10th century. The oldest and largest of these awe-inspiring structures is dedicated to Laxmi Narayan, a form of Lord Vishnu. A similarly marvelous statue of Garuda, the faithful man-bird servant of Lord Vishnu, stands atop a pillar just outside this Shikara. There are some other amazing shikaras in the complex dedicated to various other gods and goddesses such as Gauri Shankar, Lord Shiva, Radha Krishna and others.
