Chamba, India: General information

Situated at an altitude of about 960 mts. the town of Chamba has been the capital of Pahari kings since long.The town was founded by the king Sahil Verman who named the town after her daughter, Champavati.Surrounded by higher ranges Chamba has preserved the ancient culture and heritage and Chamba is known for the elegence of its temples and handicrafts. This makes this little hill town a bit different from the ones that are situated near to it.

Chamba valley lies enclosed between two principal spur ranges of the Great Himalaya, the Dhauladhar and the Pangi-Pir Panjal.The sedimentary deposits of the Shivaliks give way to the first granite range in the system, the Dhauladhar. The Pir Panjal runs roughly parallel, to the north but on a converging line, and in between lies the drainage basin of the Ravi, one of the principal rivers of the Punjab.

How to reach Chamba?

Chamba is not directly connected with air and railways thus, reaching here by road is the most convenient way. Although the town can be accessed by railways and air if you are ready to break your journey rather than reach here directly.

Reaching Chamba by air-
Chamba is not directly connected by air route. The nearest airport from Chamba is Gaggal airport in Kangra district but very few flights operate from here and many a times flights get cancelled due ti bad weather. From Gaggal airport you can hire a taxi or travel by bus to reach Chamba.

Reaching Chamba by Railway-
Chamba is not directly connected by railway route.The nearest railway station is Pathankot ( Lies on Broad Gauge).Pathankot is well connected from other parts of the Northern India.From Pathankot regular buses can drop you to Chamba.Alternatively you may hire a taxi to reach Chamba. The nearest narrow gauge head is Jogindernagar.

Reaching Chamba by Road-
Chamba is well connected to rest of the northern India by Road.Regular buses operate from cities like, Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala, Amritsar, Shimla and Jammu. Deluxe ,semi-deluxe and A/C buses are available.Afew HPTDC buses also run from different parts of the northern India.

Where to stay in Chamba?-

Numerous budget hotels are there in Chamba with most of them located on the Temple Road and near Post Office. There are only a few good quality hotels and five star and four star hotels are rarity here. During high seasons tourists may get problem finding a good hotel.So, it would be advisable to book a hotel beforehand through a travel agent or on the internet. Tent and huts are also available here in Chamba which can add to your experience when you stay in it.There are some cheap hotels run by HPTDC and can be booked from HPTDC website.

Where to eat in Chamba?-

Chamba has many cheap and and mid-range resytaurants that serve most of the north indian dishes.Many of them are located near Chaugan, temple road and post office. Most of the restaurants lso erve western dishes, south indian and chinese delicacies.Most of the hotels here has small restaurants attached which can be the most convenient place to eat.If you are looking for some local dishes then there are little options available.Just ask a local person for a place serving local dishes and they can guide you to a small restaurant serving some nice local delicacies.

Best time to visit and clothings to carry-

Best time to visit Chamba is between April and October.Weather is cool and sky is generally clear during these days.After October winter sets in making the place extremely cold.

Carry light woolens during summer months and heavy woolens during winter months (October to February).

Places to see in Dharamshala-

Dharamshala also called as the 'Mini Lhasa' because the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile is situated here, has many religious places and some gorgeous natural scenic beauty. The calm and serenity of the place together with the spiritual condiments make this place a delight to watch. The high pine trees , the tea gardens and timber yielding trees make this place breathtakingly beautiful. Some of the places worth watching in Dharamshala are-

Tsuglagkhang complex-

Located on the temple road this place has tha largest Tibetan temple located outside Tibet. The temple complex has a large central meditation hall containing some beautiful statues and thangkas, as well as a Kalachakra temple with beautiful murals. It is the monastery of His Holiness, Dalai Lama. The residence of Dalai Lama is located just in front of this temple.

Jwalamukhi temple-

This is one of the famous temples in northern India and is situated about 56 kms from Dharamshal. The temple is dedicated to the "Goddess of Light". Unlike other Hindu temples, this temple doesn't contain any idol instead , the flame inside the temple is regarded as the manifestation of the Goddess.An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees. The golden tower (dome) of the temple was a gift from the Emperor Akbar, The Mughal Badshah.

Jwalamukhi temple also witnesses two fairs held during the festival of Navratra, one in the month of April and other in October. HPTDC cottages and some guest houses and hotels are available near the temple for devotees.

Bhagsunath Temple-

Located about 11kms from Lower Dharamshala and about 3 kms from Upper Dharamshala (McLeodganj) near the village of Bhagsu. Bhagsunath temple is an ancient temple. The temple complex contains a tank and a spring which are considered sacred by Hindus. The temple contains an idol of Lord Hanuman. The Bhagsunath temple is also famous for annual fair which is held in the month of September every year.The temple is the kul devta of the First Gorkha Rifles from the time that the regiment was based in Dharamshala.

Bhagsunag falls-

Bhagsunag falls is located just behind the Bhagsunath temple in the village of Bhagsu.The ideal time to see this fall is during rainy season when it turns into beautiful cascade with a lot of water rolling down from the top of the peak.The mountain side of the fall is decorated with stylish slate graffiti. It is an ideal spot for picnics and recreation.

Dal Lake-

Located about 13 kms from Lower Dharamshals ,Dal lake is beautifully placed spot with Deodar forest surrounding it from all side.It is the starting point of excursions and trekking and is located next to the Tibetan Children's village.There is a small Shiva temple on the bank of the lake. The spot witnesses a fair in the month of September which is attended by Gaddi folk and other people in the district.

Kunal Pathari-

Kunal pathari can be accssed by a 3km level walk from Kotwali Bazaar. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kapaleshwari. This rock temple has beautiful rock crvings of Gods and Goddesses. It is believed that the Kapal (skull) of Devi Sati fell here after being cut off by the chakra of Lord Vishnu.

Masroor-

Located about 40 kms from Dharamshala and at an altitude of about 400 mts Masroor is famous for its monolithic rock cut temples. There are about 15 temples that show striking resemblance with the temples located in Elora and Mahabalipuram. The temples ar dedicated to Lord Rama ,Lakshman and Sita. These partly ruined temples are built in Indo- Aryan style and are profusely decorated with sculptural ornamentations.

Nurpur-

Located about 60 kms from Dharamshala this place is named after the wife of Mughal emperor Jehangir, Nurjehan. Nurpur is famous for an old fort and the temple of Brij Raj. You can buy the Nurpuri shawls from here. Options to stay here are limited with a few guest houses and a HPTDC rest house.

Temple of Chamunda Devi-

Located on the Palampur road about 15 kms from Dharamshal this temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda Devi. You can watch the exquisitely beautiful sight of Dauladhar ranges and adjoining valleys from here. The Baner Khud flowing from beside the temple adds to the beauty of the place. A legend is attached with this place which has been quite aptly described at India site.

It has to do with the two demons, Chanda and Munda, trying to harass the goddess Ambika. The duo, followers of the notorious demon king, Shumbh Nishumbh, once set out for the Himalayas with their chaturangini army. Upon reaching here, they saw the devi (goddess) sitting high up on a peak, smiling to herself. Chanda and Munda then flew their arrows at her.

Furious at this, Ambika knitted her brows and lo! From their folds emerged this terrifying form of Kali, decked up in a cheetah skin sari (long piece of cloth cleverly draped by Indian women) and a garland of skulls. Kali fought all the demons singlehandedly and killed Chanda and Munda. Pleased, Ambika declared that Kali would now be worshipped here as Chamunda – a compound of Chanda and Munda. That is how the temple is supposed to have come up.
Source

Chamunda Devi temple is said to be more than 700 years old .The temple compound has a small tank in it where devoptees take a dip. The idol inside the temple is considered very much sacred, so muvh so, that it is concealed even for the eyes to a glimpse of it.

Trilokpur-

Trilokpur is situated about 41 kms away from Dharamshala and is famous of natural cave temple dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya Bala Sundri.Temple of Trilokpur contains a stalactite and stalagamite is dedicated to Shiva. High on the ridge of the cave are ruins of a palace and baradari (audience hall) of Lehna Singh Majitha, Governor of Kangra hills during the Sikh rule.The Goddess of the Trilokpur Temple resembles a stone lingam like Lord Shiva.

Triund-

Located about 20 kms away from Dharamshala , Triund lies at the foothill of Dauladhar peak and at a height of about 3000 mts. The snowline starts at Ilaqa wich is about 5 kms from here. Triund is a favourite picnic spot fr tourists and starting point for many trekking camps. A ropeway is being installed from Dharamshala to this place.

The Tibetan Institute of Performing arts-

It is 1km. walk from McLeod Ganj and preserves a number of musical dance and theatrical traditions of Tibet. It holds an annual 10-day folk opera commencing on the second Saturday of April. There is also a Tibetan handicraft centre situated at McLeod Ganj and a Sunday market is organized at about 10 minutes walk from here.

Gyote Ramoche Monastery-

This is an imposing structure called the Gyuto Ramoche Monastery (near Dharamshala). It is the base for the Karmapa Llama who is the second most respected religious authority after the Dalai Lama. He is also controversial ever since he escaped from Chinese control and arrived in India after an arduous 8 day trip across the Himalayas.

Norbuligka institute-

Norbuligka institute provides training ,education and employment to Tibetans.It supports an environment in which Tibetan community and family values can flourish. It reconciles the traditional creatively and respectfully with the modern, and seeks to create an international awareness of Tibetan values and their expression in art and literature. The inside of the institute is calm ,clean and very beautiful.

Dharamshala: General Information-

Dharamshala , the district headquarter of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh is famous because of the tibetan community that dwell here. Dharamshal is the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile which is led by 14th Dalai Lama , Tenzin Gyatso. Dharamshala and its beauty has been quite beautifully described by Incredible India as follows-

This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18 kms north east of Kangra town. Hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow-capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning's start.
Source

Geography of Dharamshala-

Dharamshala is divided into two parts which are separated by a height of about 350 mts.
The lower Dharamshala is a typical small indian town and apart from bus stand there is nothing of interest here for the tourists.Lower Dharamshala is located at a height of about 1400 mts.
The upper Dharamshala is about 9 kms away from lower Dharamshala and is known by the name of McLeodganj.It lies at an altitude of about 1750 mts and is the centre of Tibetan Government in exile. A taxi or bus takes about 10 minutes to drop you here from lower Dharamshala.
Other smaller villages in the vicinity of the town are-
Forsyth Ganj
Bhagsu and
Dharamkot.

How to reach Dharamshala-

Dharamshala is accessible from other parts of north India by buses, taxis, trains and also air (in recent times). But by far the most convenient way is by bus as you don't have to break your journey to reach here.

Reaching Dharamshala by Air-
Gaggal airport is the nearest airport from Dharamshala which lies about 10 kms away from here. From Gaggal you can hire a taxi or travel by a bus to reach Dharamshala. Sadly, not too many flights operate from Gaggal airport. There are only a few flights of Indian Airlines and Jagson air that operate from here. To add to this, many a times flights are cancelled due to bad weather or because enough passengers don't show up.So, travelling by air to reach here is certainly not convenient.

Reaching Dharamshala by Train-
The nearest broad gauge rail head is Pathankot (Chakki Bazaar) which is well connected from the rest of the north India. A bus or a Taxi takes about 3 hrs to reach Dharamshala from Pathankot.

Reaching Dharamshala by Bus-
This is by far the most convenient way to reach Dharamshala and most of the tourists to Dharamshala reach here b Bus. Dharamshala is well connected from rest of the north India by road.Regular buses from Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ambala and Amritsar run to and from Dharamshala. There are a variety of buses to choose from ,like, Deluxe Ac buses, Semi-deluxe buses and regular buses. In recent time some sleeper buses has also started running from Delhi. Some HPTDC buses also run from the neighbouring states.

Where to stay in Dharamshala-

There are numerous accommodation places situated in Mc Leodganj with a wide selection hotels, guest houses and rented houses. The Lower Dharamshala has also got some hotels near the bus stand but they are relatively dearer and offer lesser facilities than those situated in McLeodganj. If you are searching for some cheap and budget hotels then you can find many such hotels on Jogiwara road. The near by villages of Bhagsu, Dharamkot and Forsythganj also offer some cheaper places to stay in.

Where to eat in Dharamshala-

Dharamshala has a wide range of eating places all scattered around McLeodganj and places around the tourist spots. Here you can enjoy some nice north Indian recipes but if you are here it would be worth to try some Tibetan dishes.Some of the Tibetan delicacies that you should try are-
Momos, Thukpa,Thenthuk, Pocha etc.
Tibetan Chai (Tea) is also worth trying .It is salty with some butter in it.

Apart from Indian and Tibetan food there are plenty of places that offer italian, chinese and western recipes at cheaper rates.