Destination guideChamba, Himachal Pradesh
Chamba Temples on the Ravi
Last updated
In short
Overview
Chamba is the old princely capital of Chamba district, founded around 920 AD by Raja Sahil Varman on a terrace above the Ravi at about 1,000 m. It is known for the Lakshmi Narayan temple complex, the Chaugan green and the Bhuri Singh Museum. Leisure Himachal's Himachal Darshan tours visit Chamba with Khajjiar on the day out from Dalhousie, about 35 km away.
Getting there
How to reach Chamba
By air
Kangra Airport at Gaggal, or Pathankot.
By rail
Pathankot, about 120 km by road, is the nearest broad-gauge railhead.
By road
About 35 km from Dalhousie via Khajjiar, and about 120 km from Pathankot.
Sights
What to see in Chamba
- 01
Lakshmi Narayan temple complex
A group of stone shikhara temples begun in the 10th century by Raja Sahil Varman, the heart of the old town.
- 02
The Chaugan
The long green in the centre of town, about 800 m by 80 m, used for fairs, cricket and the evening walk.
- 03
Bhuri Singh Museum
Founded in 1908 — Chamba miniature paintings, carved fountain stones and Chamba rumals.
- 04
Champavati temple
The temple to the princess for whom the town is named.
- 05
Chamba rumal
Embroidered cloths worked so that both sides look identical, still made in the town.
- 06
Bharmour
The ancient capital and its Chaurasi temple group, about 65 km further up the Ravi valley.
The guide
Chamba travel guide
Why go?
Chamba was the capital of a hill kingdom for more than a thousand years, and it still feels like one: a compact old town on a ledge above the Ravi, stone temples with carved towers, and a big open green where the whole town comes out in the evening. It sees a fraction of Dalhousie’s visitors.
When is the best time to visit?
- March to June — warm, with the valley green.
- July to August — monsoon, and the Minjar fair in August.
- September to November — settled and clear.
- Winter — cold but rarely snowbound at Chamba’s height.
How Chamba fits into a trip
Chamba is part of the Dalhousie day in Complete Himachal Darshan, Himachal with Amritsar and Himachal with Vaishno Devi: Kalatop, Khajjiar and Chamba in one loop. See also the Dalhousie & Khajjiar guide.
Before you go
Chamba: questions
Is Chamba worth visiting from Dalhousie?
Yes, if you like old temples and towns that are not built for tourists. It is about 35 km from Dalhousie, and pairs naturally with Khajjiar on the same day.
When is the Minjar fair?
The Minjar fair is held in Chamba in August, around the second Sunday of the month of Shravan, with a procession to the Ravi.
What is a Chamba rumal?
A square of fine cloth embroidered with scenes, worked so that the picture is the same on both sides. There are old examples in the Bhuri Singh Museum.
Travel guides
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Dharamshala & McLeodganj
Culture, cafés & the Dhauladhar -
Dalhousie & Khajjiar
Pine ridges & the Khajjiar meadow -
Kullu, Kasol & Manikaran
The Beas, the Parvati & hot springs -
Spiti Valley
The high-altitude cold desert -
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Paragliding above the Kangra valley -
Leh-Ladakh
Jeep safaris over the high passes
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.