Whenever it comes to spending holidays, people first turn to Himachal Pradesh, but there are many places here which you might not have visited. Most of the people come back only after visiting Kasol and Manali. But Chamba here has its own distinct specialty. Actually, Chamba Himachal Pradesh is a very beautiful city, without seeing which your Himachal Pradesh trip is incomplete.
Khajjiar
Khajjiar is a lake which is one of the most beautiful lakes of Himachal Pradesh. The best time to visit Khajjiar Lake is between February and April when the weather is exceptionally pleasant. If you want to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Khajjiar Lake is an ideal place. The main attraction of Khajjiar Lake is the 'Floating Island', which attracts tourists from far and wide.
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is the most famous sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh, located between Khajjiar and Dalhousie. If you enjoy trekking, the journey through nature to reach the sanctuary is unparalleled. Here you can see fascinating wildlife like goral-jackal, langur, serow, leopard, Himalayan black marten, deer and bear.
Chamunda Devi Temple
Located 15 km from Dharamshala, Chamunda Devi Temple is one of the best places to visit in Chamba. Situated on the banks of river Baner, Chamunda Devi Temple holds deep religious significance for Hindus. Interestingly, this temple is made entirely of wood, which was built by Raja Sahil Verma in 1762.
Bhuri Singh Museum
Bhuri Singh Museum is not only the major attraction of Chamba but also one of the major tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh. Bhuri Singh Museum houses costumes, weapons, coins, royal jewellery, rare paintings, Sharda script, carved doors, copper plates, memorial stones, musical instruments, frescoes, Guler-Kangra paintings and much more. If you want to get acquainted with the art, culture and rich history of Chamba, Bhuri Singh Museum is the perfect place. The museum is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm except Monday.
Laxmi Narayan temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple is the oldest temple in Chamba, built by Raja Sahil Varma in the 11th century. There are about six temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in this complex. The main idol of Lord Vishnu is a rare marble idol found in the Vindhya mountain range. It is noteworthy that this marble comes from Vindhya Mountains. The temple is open twice a day, from 6 am to 12:30 pm and again from 2:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
How to reach Chamba:
If you prefer to travel by air, the nearest airport is Pathankot, which is 120 kilometers from Chamba. From there you can easily get taxis to reach Chamba. If you opt for train travel, the nearest railway station is also at Pathankot, which is 120 kilometers from Chamba. There are regular trains from New Delhi to Pathankot and you can book tickets as per your convenience. Himachal Pradesh's road transport is also excellent, with major bus terminals connecting Chamba to Shimla-Solan, Kangra, Dharamshala and Pathankot in neighboring states such as Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.