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Chamba

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.
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.