Chamba
Chamba is a small ancient town nestled in the lap of the Dhauladhar and Zanskar range of the Himalayas.
Once the capital of Pahari kings, Chamba is one of the oldest towns in the country and its history as a princely state dates way back to 6th century.
Chamba is all about antiquity, art, rich culture and heritage all of which are showcased in its ancient temples and palaces.
Its uniqueness lies in the fact that this small town was never invaded until late 19th century and hence the original ‘pahari’ culture is largely conserved. It was only after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1884 that the British annexed it.
The imprints of the British can be seen in the form of Post-office, a Residency (now a circuit house), a hospital, a courthouse and the Church of Scotland.
Interestingly, Chamba was one of the first Indian towns to receive electricity and electric poles dated 19th century can still be seen around Post-office and fire-station.
Chamba’s intricate lanes display some fine architecture and echo historical stories and folklore. As one approaches Chamba from Khajjiar, ‘Chaugan’, a magnificent, wide, grassy meadow welcomes him with bustling activity all around. ‘Chaugan’ is the throbbing heart of the town with myriad cultural and social activities taking place here throughout the year.
The town of Chamba is dotted with numerous ancient exquisite temples. The isolation the town once lived in encouraged it to develop its own style of ‘Pahari’ art and architecture. The splendid heritage of the town is displayed at the Bhuri Singh Museum. The collection includes beautiful miniature paintings, fine handicrafts like the exquisite hand-embroidered ‘rumals’ & scarfs and finely carved stone and metal statues.
The town of Chamba offers distinctive scrumptious, spicy cuisine which includes the popular sharp ‘Chamba-chukh’ made of fiery peppers.
Festivals and Fairs
The Minjar Fair
Chamba plays host to a number of believers who gather here to be a part of the Minjar Fair held every year in July/August. The Minjar fair is held to welcome the numerous Gods and Goddesses of the Valley who are brought down from the mountains in their exquisite palanquins to pay obeisance to Lord Raghuvira, the presiding deity of the valley.
The Minjar Mela is a week-long fair during which Chamba’s ‘chaugan’ comes alive with a number of cultural activities performed by the locals and the visitors dressed in vibrant colourful clothes.
The Sui Mata Fair
A fair called ‘Sui Mata ka Mela’ is held every year in Chamba in the month of March or April. The fair is held to honour the supreme sacrifice of a ‘pahari’ queen.
As the legend goes, ages ago, when an aqueduct was being constructed to carry water to Chamba from the Sarota stream, the water simply refused to flow despite all efforts.
When everything else failed, supernatural forces were blamed and the local priests declared that the resolution lay only in the sacrifice of the then king Raja Sahil Singh Varman’s son or wife, that is, one of his dearest.
To please the Gods the Rani dressed as ‘Sati’, sacrificed her life and was buried alive at the spot where today stands the ‘Sui Mata ka Mandir’. And the water began to flow!
The sacrifice is honoured till date! The Sui Mata ka Mela is attended by hordes of womenfolk who sing the praises of the queen and thank her for her sacrifice.
What to Buy in Chamba
Chamba rumaals
Chamba chappals
Miniature paintings
Stone and metal statues
Must Try in Chamba
Chukh – A mashed chilli pickle made of fiery peppers, a speciality.
How to Reach Chamba
Nearest Airport: At Gaggal in Kangra Valley (180 Km)
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot (120 Km)
Chamba Fast Facts
Best Time to Visit Chamba: Apr to Oct
Distance to Chamba from Delhi: 623 Km
Distance to Chamba from Pathankot: 120 Km
Altitude of Chamba: 3267 Ft above sea level
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