Bharmour – the land of Gaddis & abode of Lord Shiva

Enchanting Himachal – Bharmour – 

the land of Gaddis & abode of Lord Shiva

 

Panoramic view of Bharmour town

       Bharmour, is a nondescript little township that is not very well known beyond Himachal Pradesh, as it is only known for having being associated with the annual pilgrimage of Manimahesh Kaislash Darshan that takes place during the monsoon season and is very well known pilgrimage locally.  Bharmour traces its history to ancient times when it was known as Brahmpura and  was the capital of Chamba state till 920 AD, presently a district in Himachal Pradesh, India.  Bharmour is situated on banks of Budhil nullah a mountain stream which is a tributary of Ravi River and perched at an altitude of 2195 meters from sea level 65 Kms. to the south-east of Chamba.

As the sun sets in Bharmour

Evening view of Bharmour town

Another view of the sunset from Bharmour

Panoramic view of Bharmour early morning

Village across the valley - view from Bharmour (shot with 500 mm lens)

Another village across the valley waking up in the morning (shot using 500 mm lens)

As the sunlight kisses the snow laden peaks

          Bharmour is also popular because of its proximity with Manimahesh Lake, Manimahesh Kailash and Chaurasi (84) ancient temples, Bramhani Mata temple, which establishes the glorious past of this hidden town.  Bharmour is also known as the Abode of Shiva as there are numerous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in and nearby regions.  The whole region around Bharmour is considered to be under the control of Lord Shiva, hence is also known as the Shiv Bhumi.  This place besides being an aesthetic and scenic beauty is also spiritual in essence.  Inhabited by local Gaddies (Shepherd), who reside in the region during the cold winter months and during summers migrate on to the snowy ranges and mountain meadows, which divide Chamba from Kangra and Lauhal & Spiti district, to graze their flocks of sheep & goat.  They are semi-nomadic and partial pastoral tribes. Being the home of the Gaddi tribes, Bharmour is also known as Gadheran in Kangra district. Historically, Gaddis descended from migrants who fled the plains of India for the relative security of the hills during times of trouble. It is thought that the Chauhans Rajputs Gaddies and Brahman Gaddies emigrated to Bharmour from Rajasthan. Most of the other castes of Gaddis are thought to be descended from people who fled to the hills to escape from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's persecutions in the 17th century. The history confirms that Gaddi Rajputs migrated from Lahore (Pakistan) to this place in order to avoid religious persecution. One of the most dominant Rajputs 'Lalhal’ migrated from a city named Lalhal near Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.  Presently the bulk of the population lives in Bharmour of Chamba district, but a scattered population of this tribe is also found in the adjoining districts of Kangra and Mandi of Himachal Pradesh even in Jammu and Kashmir. The community occupies the inaccessible, inhospitable terrain in between the Pir-Panjal and Dhauladhar range, between Ravi and Chenab valley. It is a high altitude area and remains cut off most of the time because of heavy snowfall. The language spoken within the community is Bharmouri Gaddi. Taakri was the script used by the ancestors. The Gaddi man is identified by typical dress which consists of a Chola, Dora and white turban (Saffa), now replaced by the traditional Chamba topi.  The place is also known for its red delicious apples, medicinal herbs, hidden treasures and warm woolen blankets.  Nowadays, majority of the Gaddis are into agriculture & Horticulture as primary means of livelihood, but there are groups which till date follow the traditional routes taken by their ancestors.  Trekkers from all over India & abroad make it to this destination to trek across High Mountain passes like Kugti Pass, Chobia Pass, Kalischo Pass etc.

Road to Brahmani Mata temple - usually closed during/after rains

View from the road to Brahmani Mata temple

Gaddis grazing sheep on the road to Brahmani Mata temple

View from running jeep from road to Brahmani Mata temple

Reached the hill top where the Brahmani Mata temple is situated

          We had reached Bharmour in the evening and due to total lack of professionalism on part of the Hotel owners of ‘Hotel Bharmour View’, who had not passed on the information regarding my booking for three nights to the servants stationed at the Hotel, despite having paid in advance and regular rates, although same are negotiable during lean periods, no rooms were ready and two rooms were hastily readied.  The rooms were having some defect or the other, which the two hotel boys namely Anoop & Bipan tried to rectify with all the might.  The Television in one of the rooms remained dysfunctional for the entire duration of the stay.  The hotel did not have a dedicated cooking staff as they hire them only during the Manimahesh Yatra duration.  It is therefore, advisable that in case you are not moving with family, there is no need to pre-book during the lean months and also if advance is paid, it may be done partly only because the threat of shifting to another hotel would do the trick.  The website of the Hotel has been prepared in a spectacular manner and the owner’s son Sh. Atul Thakur is a smooth operator, so be aware of his soft speech and demeanor.  I however, explored the place and found a small nondescript little eating joint right next to the entry gate of the Hotel, whose food was fresh and wholesome.  However, not everything goes against ‘Hotel Bharmour View’ as it is ideally located on the road leading to Bramhani Mata temple and provides for parking space for your vehicle right in from the Hotel, which is otherwise not available in any other hotels in Barmour, like the Chaurasi Hotel. 

The actual on site view of the Hotel Bharmour View

Some alpine flowers near the Brahmani Mata temple

Community lunch being prepared at Brahmani Mata temple

View of kund in front of Brahmani Mata temple

Panoramic view of Brahmani Mata temple

A local youth in traditional headgear in the Brahmani Mata temple

Inside view of the famed Brahmani Mata temple

Flags galore at the Brahmani Mata temple

Another deity in the Brahmani Mata temple complex

             Historically it is said that Emperor Meru Varman, the father of the prince Jaystambh in the Chamba state was the first to settle in Bharmour. He belonged to the ruling family of Ayodhya. Meru found access to the upper mountainous region through the Ravi valley. In the middle of 6th century he won many a battles and consequently conquered large tracts of lands from Rana clan and founded the town Brahmpura, which he made to as his capital of the newly founded kingdom.  According to another legend, the name Brahmpura was in use even during the earlier times in respect of the more ancient kingdom of Bharmour, which existed in the territories right upto present day Garhwal and Kamaun, and that Emperor Meru Varman named his newly founded kingdom as Brahmpura, with present day Bharmour as his capital. After Meru Varman, the kingdom was ruled by several of his successors till Sahil Varman. After about ruling the new kingdom for about four hundred years King Sahil Varman also conquered the lower Ravi valley and transferred the capital from Brahmpura to the newly founded capital at Chamba.  Thus, the lineage of the Kings & dynasty can be traced back upto 6^th Century A.D.

Panoramic view of the Budhil nullah/rivulet from Brahmani Mata temple

Sheep being sheared for wool at the Brahmani Mata temple complex

            The most important landmark of Bharmour is the Chaurasi (meaning 84 in Hindi) temple complex.  There are several legends associated with the Chaurasi temples.  The mythological one amongst them states that during the ancient times Goddess Brahmani Devi resided in the region with a beautiful garden in the Chaurasi temple complex. One day when goddess Brahmani Devi went to somewhere, Lord Shiva reached there with his 84 Sidhas while on way to Manimahesh Kailash and rested in the beautiful garden.  During the evening, when Goddess Brahmani Devi, the presiding deity of the place returned back, she saw smoke coming out of her beautiful garden from the fires lit by the Sidhas, she got very angry at this kind of trespass and reprimanded them for their audacity and ordered Lord Shiva and the Sidhas to move out of her garden. Shiva implored in all his humility for allowing them to spend a night in her beautiful garden as they were tired and promised to leave first thing in the morning.  Goddess Brahmani condescended to the wishes of Lord Shiva and went away to Dughashaar (a place on ridge), so that she would not see the desecration of her Garden or the smoke from fires lit by the Sidhas.  In the morning Lord Shiva left for his abode in Manimahesh Kailash leaving behind the 84 sleeping Sidhas, but the 84 Sidhas, who did not want to leave the place, transformed themselves in to 84 Shivlingas. Thereafter, Lord Shiva granted a boon to goddess Brahmani Devi that all persons intending to go on pilgrimage to Manimahesh must have a dip in the holy pool in her temple precincts. Failing this, their pilgrimage would not be acceptable to Lord Shiva. From that day onwards, every visitor intending to embark on pilgrimage of Manimahesh Kailash takes bath in the holy pool in the Brahmani Devis temple complex.

The famed Manimahesh temple of Chaurasi temple complex

Profile of the Manimahesh temple in Chaurasi temple complex

The statute of Nandi Bull in the Chaurasi temple complex

The bill board announcing the dimensions of the huge Deodar tree inside the Chaurasi temple complex

A profile of the huge Deodar tree in the Chaurasi temple complex

The famed Lakshna Devi temple - the oldest temple in the Chaurasi temple complex

Intricately carved Walnut wood panel of Lakshna Devi temple in the Chaurasi temple complex

The idol of Lakshna Devi inside the temple in Chaurasi temple complex

            The other legend associated with the Chaurasi temple relates to the event that took place during the 10^th century A.D, whereby it is said that 84 Sidhas (holy men) visited Bharmour from Kurushkhetra on way to Manimahesh Kailash.  They blessed the ruler Raja Sahil Varman with ten sons and a daughter Champavati, after whom the town of Chamba is said to be named. And while some shrines were already in existence, the Raja had built a series of temples to commemorate the event. These include temples like the Lakhna Devi Temple (made entirely out of handcrafted wood), the Ganesh Temple and the Nar Singh Temple. Installed in the sanctum of the Lakhna Devi Temple is an exquisite brass image of the goddess. The temple of Lord Dharamraj is also in the Chaurasi and only one in the whole world.

The famed Manimahesh peak - Manimahesh Kailash (shot with 500 mm lens)

            The Chaurasi Temple Complex offers you an aesthetic and mesmerizing view with its placement and its ancient connection, both of which is to felt & seen to behold. The complex is surrounded by numerous schools. The most extraordinary site of the complex is the tallest temple of Manimahesh, which is built in the Shikhara style of architecture. Another temple built in the same style is that of Lord Vishnu cast in his Nar Singh Avatar. The oldest temple in this complex is the Lakshna Devi temple that dates back to 10^th Century AD and built entirely out of wood, with finely sculpted panels and is treat to watch, duly protected by the Archeological Survey of India.  This cluster of temples is collectively known as the ‘Chaurasi’. Though of varying architectural designs, period (circa) and origin, these temples are noted for their fine workmanship, not to mention the huge Cedar tree, which too would be a few centuries old that adorns the courtyard of the temple complex.

 Video of Chaurasi temple in Bharmour -

The other main temple of Bharmour is the Brahmani Mata temple that is situated on a ridge above the town.  One can either approach it by foot through the Melkota village or take the motorable, rather Jeepable road to the temple that runs precariously along the steep mountain side for 6 Kms. and not one for the faint hearted (check out the video).  Bramhani mata temple is situated on the rather flat piece of land with a holy pool of about 20 square meters placed just below Brahmani’s cave.  Legend related to the holy pond or pool is that Goddess Brahmani had stolen this holy water from Lord Sandhola Naag from the other side of the ridge. It is said that one day Goddess Brahmani Devi and Goddess Jhakani Devi both went to steal water from Sandhola Nag’s water source. Both the Goddesses stole the water in their respective pots and ran away at the same time, Sandhola Naag saw them immediately and he took his bow arrow and ran after them. But the shrine of Goddess Brahmani Devi being just on the other side of the ridge, she threw her pot filled with water from the top of the ridge toward her shrine, which reached her cave. However, on the other hand, the knee of Goddess Jhakani Devi was hit by an arrow shot by Sandhola Naag, as the Goddess Jhakani Devi could not move upto her destination, the water from her pot fell at village Badie and Kardouta, where temples were erected by the villagers to commemorate the event. Whereas, at the spot where the pot of water fell, seven streams of water sprung up from the bottom of the cave, which are still flowing and serving water to Bharmour and also running many flourmills.  As narrated earlier, all the pilgrims intending to visit Manimahesh Kailash for pilgrimage have to take a dip in the holy water (now a days only water in sprinkled over the head because of very heavy rush of pilgrims) at Bramhani Mata temple.

Video of Bramhani Mata temple

Enchanting Himachal – traversing through Chamba

Enchanting Himachal – traversing through Chamba

Author atop a wooden bridge across River Ravi on way to Bharmour in Chamba District

              Having seen the photographs posted by Mr. Sadanand Kamath in his blog ‘Rambling in the Gaddi Heartland of Himachal Pradesh’ posted in May, 2012, I had wanted to visit Chamba since, as it was one of the areas in Himachal not visited by me till date.  Therefore, during the summer break of my kids I decided to visit the pristine destination alongwith our extended family, which included my mother and mother-in-law also.  The distance from Delhi to Chamba is about 580 Kms. and it would have taken more than 14 hours to reach the destination by road, had we been able attain an average speed of 40 kmph, but this was next to impossible during the peak summer rush.  Such a journey would not only have been physically discomforting for the elderly, but also a tiresome journey for all us too, which would have marred the joy of journey at its inception itself.  Having weighed all the pros & cons, I decided to cover the major distance by train and accordingly, booked the A/C tickets in ‘Dhauladhar Express’ for the     6^th June, 2014 upto Pathankot.  There are plethoras to trains running upto Jammu and Pathankot being a major station on the way, all such trains stop at this destination.  However, I found from the schedule that most of the trains start early and subsequently also drop you at Pathankot very early, before 5.00 A.M in most of the trains and by the time you reach your destination, you are neither fully awake nor able to sleep during the drive, thus, you do not enjoy your onward journey under such conditions.  The 6^th of June, 2014 being a Friday and working day, the ‘Dhauladar Express’ was most convenient, as it leaves Old Delhi Railway Station at 10.45 P.M. at night and one has ample time to get back from office and leave in time for the ensuing journey, simultaneously it reaches Pathankot the next day at 8.20 A.M, by which time there is sufficient day light for good photography as well as people usually have completed their morning ablutions by that time.

Leaving Pathankot

The author with his wife, daughter & Mr. Mahajan-epitome of hospitality in Pathankot

View of Ranjit Sagar Dam from road to Chamba

The winding roads after Pathankot

            We started our journey in the right earnest by hiring a taxi from my residence and the station being a wee bit far coupled with its placement in a crowded location, we started well in time.  The temperature during the day had shot up to 47 degrees Celsius and it was still raging hot when we reached the railway station.  Having boarded the train, we waited for the Air Conditioner to start, but it would not and we had to ingest copious amounts of water and Cold drinks to ward off the heat.  But as the train moved from the station, even after having got past Kishanganj station, the AC did not function properly.  We left Delhi behind, still suffering in agony of the sultry heat and when the temperatures soared inside the train bogey and commuters started asking for the complaint book, a mechanic turned up and made some adjustments after which the AC started working properly.  The reason he gave was that as the power to run the AC is received from the train engine and consequently only when the train engine attains speed that the AC is turned on in full.  Thereafter, the night passed by uneventfully.  However, the main reason for the purported fault in AC revealed itself in the morning, when we saw a huge gathering in the station with all kinds of people and musical instruments thronging the station in Pathankot.  On enquiry, it dawned that the local Member Parliament of Gurdaspur, Sh. Vinod Khanna was traveling in the same train and in order to facilitate his comfort, the AC in the train had been turned on in full force in his compartment, at cost of other paying members and so referred to as ‘Cattle class’ from the same fraternity, this is an example of how Indian Railways attends to the VIPs.

Nainikhud village on way to Chamba

Bidding goodbye to the Mahajan family in Nainikhud

Bird's eye view of Nainikhud village as seen from road to Banikhet

As the road winds up towards Banikhet

Chamera Dam - view from road just after crossing Banikhet

            Having disembarked from the train at Pathankot, we got on to the Mahindra Xylo, being driven by the tour operator himself, Mr. Bhutto as he had been engaged through Mr.Mahajan, relative of my wife’s friend, who too in all his magnanimity had turned up at the Railway station to receive us and also provided us with a sumptuous B’fast & water et al for the journey ahead.  Since the tour operator Mr. Bhutto personally knew the Mahajan family well, he was in all praise for the kind of grand hospitality they were known to offer to all family visitors & friends alike.  As we had just gone past Pathankot, my wife received a call on her mobile handset from the other brother from the Mahajan family residing in Nainikhud, seeking information about our whereabouts and probable time of reaching their place, despite my wife’s best efforts and stating that B’fast had already been served by the other brother of the Mahajan’s, they were not inclined to relent and we had to promise them to take a break for partaking B’fast with them at Nainikhud.

Approaching Chamba - NHPC residential Complex across Ravi River

Heading towards Chamba town

Water being released into Ravi River by a Hydro Power plant after crossing Chamba

A dam near Chattarari village where the road tunnel is situated

Huge statute of Lord Shiva near banks of River Ravi

Villages perched precariously by mountain sides

            Pathankot is situated in the Indian state of Punjab, but its proximity with the other two states of Himachal Pradesh & Jammu & Kashmir alongwith the border with Pakistan makes it a very important township strategically.  It is a nondescript little destination situated on the banks of Chakki River, which is a rain is fed river.  It is perched at an altitude of 331 meters (about 1086 feet) of mean sea level and therefore, considerably hot.  We went past Pathankot through the Jullunder-Dalhousie Bye-pass raod and thereafter, headed along the Mandi Pthankot Road upto Nurpur.  Beyond Nurpur as you head higher into the hills through the winding roads, you can see the Ranjit Sagar Dam and thereafter, you take the State Highway 33 (also known as Pathankot-Chamba-Tissa Road).  Further you continue uphill upto the point where the where the State Highway 28 meets with the State Highway 33 at Tunnuhatti and therefrom the road starts its downhill run upto Nainikhud, which is at an altitude of 950 odd meters or 3300 feet above mean sea level.  Nanikhud is a small commercial hub with two banks and a small market catering to the requirements of region around.  We stopped here for B’fast with the Mahajan family who run a successful cloth business here. 

Narrow roads running along the Ravi River towards B harmour

Distant view of the bridge at Kharamukh

            From Nainikhud the road again starts winding upwards towards Banikhet, which is at an altitude of about 1700 meters or 5,500 feet of mean sea level.  This is another nondescript but busy village, teeming with shops and small hotels and is the point from where the road continues towards Chamba and another bifurcates towards Dalhousie.  During peak summer seasons, when Dalhousie is full, many travelers who come to visit Dalhousie without prior booking, which is often the case with tourists driving in from Punjab, they seek refuge for the night at Banikhet.  Beyond Banikhet the road starts meandering alongwith the Ravi River, one of the ‘Panch ab’ (Five waters) that make up Punjab, namely Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, Beas and Ravi.  After traveling a few kilometers along the road, one comes across the scenic Chamera Dam and being a place that offers water sports, it has become a tourist destination for many visiting the Chamba region.  Passing by many a nondescript little villages, some by the road side and some perched precariously on mountainsides, making up stupendous natural vistas, accompanied by small Hydro Power plants designated as Chamera-I,II, III & IV etc. all along the River side, one reaches Chamba.  Instead for heading for the township, we made it towards Bharmour from the roundabout, continuing with the Chamba-Holi Road.

The bridge across River Ravi at Kharamukh

Budhil Rivulet from Bharmour side meets Ravi River at Kharamukh

Headed towards Bharmour from Kharamukh - an upward climb all the way

The first glimpse of Abode of Lord Shiva - the Manimahesh Kailash

           After crossing Chamba, the road traverses almost along the banks of the Ravi River, as the road is almost at level with the flowing River and one continues to travel along its left bank till one reaches a fairly big village known as ‘Rakh’, where after you cross a bridge and continue your journey along the right bank of the River.  Thereafter, having crossed Chattarari where a barrage/dam has been constructed and just as you cross the bridge you enter a fairly big tunnel about 500 meters or more in length that is a part of the Hydro Power plant situated there and emerge on the other side of the tunnel, headed towards Khadamukh.  The name ‘Khadamukh’ meaning literally ‘A straight face’ aptly describes this little village that is situated at the base of huge mountains all around and at this juncture, the road bifurcates towards Bharmour and the main road continues straight towards Holi.  One has to take a left turn, crossing over the bridge across River Ravi and continue ascending towards Bharmour, which is perched at an altitude of about 2100 meters or about 7000 feet above mean sea level and as aptly described in Wikipedia and I quote – “The land is blessed with deep beauty of abundant alpine pastures and provides home for nomadic shepherds, known as Gaddi, thus also called Gadderan. The foothills are filled with orchards and terraced farmsteads. The epitome of spirituality lies in this land as it is endow with ancient temples. The area goes through inhospitable terrain and severe climate changes. “Kailash Vasio” as the people of Bharmour are known are extremely courteous and welcomes you like their own family member. Along with its ethnic traditions, culture and ancient history, Bharmour forms the perfection of divine splendor”.  Thus, we reached Bharmour the land of the Gaddi’s & Lord Shiva.  More details about the destination in my next blog.

Here is the link to the video for the journey -

Enchanting Himachal – Chamba (an intorduction)

Enchanting Himachal – Chamba (an intorduction)

 

The spectacular sights of Chamba 

Chamba in the millennium township of Himachal Pradesh as its history can be traced back to more than thousand years.  In order to commemorate this, the Government of Himachal Pradesh erected a Millenium Gate at the Chowgan grounds of Chamba, around this square meadow the township had evolved during the millennium of its existence. Chamba is the temple town of Himachal Pradesh with a plethora to temples, some dating back to 10^th Century AD, built in Sikhara style.

Panoramic view of Chamba town

The aerial view of temples of Chamba

Ravi River meanders by Chamba township 

The Millenium Gate at Chowgan in Chamba

Bharmour, anciently known as Brahmpura, was the ancient capital of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh (India) till 920 AD. Bharmour is situated in Budhil and Ravi valley at an altitude of 2195 meters from sea level 65 kms. to the south-east of Chamba.  Bharmour is also popular because of its proximity with Manimahesh Lake, Manimahesh Kailash and Chaurasi (84) ancient temples, which are reflecting the glorious past of this hidden town. Bharmour is also known as the Abode of Shiva as there are numerous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in and nearby regions The whole region around Bharmour is considered to be under the control of Lord Shiva, hence is also known as the Shiv Bhumi.

Panoramic view of Chamera dam just beyond Chamba

Panoramic view of Bharmour town

             The famous Manimahesh trek starts from the village of Hadsar, which is about 13 Kms. from Bharmour and the picturesque road runs along the beautiful Budhil river (a tributary of Ravi).  The trek of 14 Kms. starts from this point onwards towards Manimahesh.  Beyond Hadsar, one crosses a small bridge across the Budhil River and then traverses along its left side for another 9 Kms. to reach Dharol and now the road has been added another 3 Kms. further ahead and therefrom the 3 Kms. trek to Kugti village & beyond starts.  It is a starting point for many treks, which take the trekkers beyond the snow bound passes into Manali & Ladakh and this traditional trek routes are also used by the local Gaddis (Sheep herders) to take their flock to the higher meadows rich in grass & minerals that provide special quality to the top quality wool being gathered from them.  

View of Budhil River valley from Hadsar

             On the other side of Bharmour lies Holi, which is about 51 Kms. from Bharmour and the road runs alongside the Ravi River and is spectacular site for nature lovers.  This road ends just beyond Nayagraon, about 3 Kms. further where the famous temple of Laake Wali Mata is situated and here the road ends.  The Himachal Government is exploring the idea of building a 3 Kms. long tunnel below the mountains here, which will help connect Chamba with Kangra and reduce the road distance by almost 70 Kms.  As of now, the vehicles have to traverse across the high Jot Pass to cross over the Dhauladhars towards Kangra valley.  The pass is at an altitude of about 2800 meters and about 22 Kms. from Chamba town and is usually closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.

View of Ravi River flowing by Holi

            Dalhousie is the most famous tourist destination and hill station of Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh.  Perched at an altitude of 2039 mts. in the outer slopes of Dhauladhar range with its natural beauty and quiet surroundings is the best holiday resort. It comprises of 5 Hills namely Balun, Kathlog, Potreyn, Tehra and Bakrota with heights ranging between 1525 mts. to 2378 mts. It has many level and interesting walks amongst dense forest.  However, due to its proximity to Punjab, especially Gurdaspur etc., the place is for ever jam packed and almost all the homes appear to have been converted into Hotels or makeshift ones during the season and the traffic is a nightmare.  People come without bookings and time you will find them spending nights in their vehicles, it is a catastrophe waiting to happen.  Another destination near Dalhousie is Khajjiar, about 23 Kms. is another over-rated and over crowded destinations where the entire road gets blocked by traffic with the locals enticing them with all kinds of trade, at the cost of the nature of course.

Jot Pass view

Panoramic view of of Khajjiar

The squalor of Dalhousie

            This is the overview of the destination called Chamba, with a lot of scenic beauties hidden in its folds, which I shall be narrating in detail in the coming weeks.

Map of Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh