Nestled in the folds of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba has lovely landscape, peaceful solitude, and a majestic treasure of traditional arts and handicrafts. The city is home to one of the oldest Indian museums and exquisite work collections, sculptures, paintings, and costumes are on display here. The prominence of artistic productions in the market speaks volumes of the patronage received by artists and craftsmen by the erstwhile royalty of the region. Founded by Raja Sahil Verman in the 10th century, Chamba was named after his daughter Champavati. Its medieval temples, built mostly by the rulers of the region, and their architecture form other attraction of the city.
Places to See
The Fruit Bowl of India, Chamba is amazing in monsoons. The favorite hotspots at Chamba are:
- Akhand Chandi Palace
- Art Garden or Minjar Camping Site
- Bhuri Singh Museum
- Champavati Temple
- Chamunda Devi Temple
- Chaugan
- Chowari Jot or Chowari Pass
- Church of Scotland
- Dayanand Math
- Hari Rai Temple
- Laxmi Narayan Temple
- Rajpura and Mazar of Sai Jamal Shah
- Rang Mahal
- Rock Garden At Devi Dehra
- Sui Mata Temple
Shopping
You must buy a good stock of honey at Chamba, famous for its deliciousness and fine quality. Local handicraft items such as embroidered handkerchiefs, shawls and leather footwear are other popular items at Chamba.
Where to Stay
Chamba is an enchanting hill resort with unspoiled cultural beauty that has not marred its natural magnetism. The accommodation facilities it offers include budget hotels, deluxe hotels, and royal luxury hotels. You must try:
- Hotel City Heart
- Hotel Aroma Palace
- Anantson Resort
- Rajdhani G.H.
- Hotel Royal Dream
- Hotel Chamunda View
How to Reach Chamba
Situated at 3300 feet above sea level, Chamba does not have an airport and railway station of its own. It is well connected by roads though.
By Road: 290 km from Delhi, the closest bus stop to Chamba is Chowgan, which has regular buses to Delhi and other nearby cities. A bus journey from Chamba to Dalhousie takes three hours. Buses are also available to and from Kangra, Khajjiar, Bharmaur, Pathankot, and Dharamshala.
By Rail: The nearest railway stations to Chamba is Dalhousie, 52 km from the city; and Pathankot, 122 km away. Regular train services connect Pathankot to major Indian cities such as Amritsar,
Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
By Air: The nearest airport to Chamba is at Kangra, 180 km away. Kangra has regular flights connecting it to major Indian cities such as Delhi and Chandigarh.
