Chamba (Himachal Pradesh)

Chamba is a town in the Chamba district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Understand
Chamba is a hill town perched at an altitude of 1,676m above sea level in the Ravi River valley. There are temples all around town and up on the hillocks. The Chowgan is the most important part of the town with lush green grass.

In 920, Raja Sahil Varman (or Raja Sahila Verma), King of Bharmour, shifted his capital here at the urging of his daughter Champavati. The town was named Champa, after Champavati, and over the years became 'Chamba'.

Get in
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates long distance services throughout the state and from locations in the neighboring states, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi.

The nearest railway station is at Pathankot, 120 km away.

Get around
Chamba town is not big so walking around the town is the best option.

Do

 * Minjar Mela. A seven-day festival held in July-August. People from nearby villages come to attend a thanksgiving ceremony to Varuna, god of rain, for the blessing of the harvest.

Eat
There is a considerable Tibetan population in the region so Tibetan noodles, soups and dumplings are available in town, primarily opposite the post office building.

Chamba has several restaurants.

Drink
Chamba town has a few outlets (shops and bars) where you can buy cheap liquor. Beer is generally served at Cafe Ravi View after 8PM.

Budget
There are several cheap lodges in town:

Go next

 * Bharmour
 * Dalhousie &mdash; popular hill station, very fascinating, with beautiful colonial architecture
 * Khajjiar &mdash; popular hill station, a favourite destinations for Bollywood, as many filmmakers come to shoot sequences for their movies
 * Saho