Famous Temples of Chamba Districts
Lakshana Devi Temple-
This temple is dedicated to goddess Mahishasuramardini
and belongs to the late Gupta period. Lakshana Devi is a local name of the
goddess who is commonly known as Bhadrakali, Vaishnavi, Mahishasuramardini,
Chandi, Chandika or Chamunda. It is famous for its close affinity to the
architecture of Kashmir and Gandhara and indeed shows traces of classical
influence peculiar to the monuments of the north-west. The peculiarity of this
temple is that the posture in which the image of the Lakshana Devi installed
here has been described in the Markanday Purana.
Lakshmi Narayana Temple-
It is a group of temples dedicated
to Lords Vishnu and Shiva. This Cluster is situated on the northern most area
and is the main attraction of Chamba. These Temples are of great archaeological
interest and are built during the reign of Sahil Varman. These temples throw a
light on Chamba's glorious past.
Shakti Devi Temple-
This famous temple at Chatrari belongs to
the same period as that of Lakshana Devi of Bharmour. The temple particularly
represents navagrahas and Lords Kartikeya, Indra and Brahma. Chatrari is a
village in Piu ilaqa in Chamba district. This temple is regarded as one of the
holiest sanctuaries of the hills, competing with those of Bhavani Temple in
Kangra and Lakshana Devi in Bharmour.The Shakti Devi Temple is attributed to be
the oldest as it was founded during the reign of Mushan, the legendary ancestor
of the old Bharmour dynasty. According to another legend the temple was the
last work of Gugga, the master artisan of Meru Varman.
Gauri Shankar Temple-
This is one of the six temples in the
Lakshmi Narayana complex at Chamba and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The bronze
image shows Shiva in the company of Parvati. Lord Shiva is shown here in
four-armed form placing one of his left arms over the right shoulder of
Parvati. The other left hand holds an object. At the entrance of the temple,
there are two river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna standing in dvibhanga pose,
holding water vases in their hands.
Eighty Four Temples -
Bharmou is known as the land of 84
temples. In a square compound in Bharmour, besides four ancient temples, stand
as many as 80 small temples. These temples are supposed to have been built
during the reign of Meru Varman, who ruled around 700 A.D, but it is very
doubtful whether the present buildings date back to that time. The main temples
at Bharmour are those of Ganesh,
Narasimha Temple Bharmour -
This temple is dedicated to
Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Its style is same as that of Mani
Mahesh Temple. A special feature about this temple is that its image isd
remarkable for its ferocious aspects like terrifying wide jaws. The deity of
the temple has the head of a lion and the remaining body of a human being.
There is a crown on the head, besides four arms. The temple construction is
generaly ascribed to Meru Varman
Khajji Nag Temple-
Khajjiar in Chamba district now popularly known as mini Switzerland, originally derives its name from
this temple. This ancient temple dedicated to Khaju Naga is near Khajjiar Lake.
According to tradition, this temple is believed to have been erected by Batlu.
the nurse who was instrumental in saving the life of Raja Prithvi Singh in
1642.
Bansi-Gopala Temple-
This is a Sikhara temple located in the vicinity of the Chamba Palace. There is
a mention of this temple in the copper plate of Raja Balbadra issued in 1595.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is holding a flute in his hands and
at the entrance of the temple. goddess Ganga and Yamuna are depicted holding a
vase
Hari Rai Temple-
A Vishnu temple at the gate of Chaugan is
known by the name of Hari Rai. This was built around 11th century in Sikhara
style and is said to have been founded by Salakara Varman. The main deity in
the temple is that of Vaikunth, a form of Vishnu, having three faces-a man, a
boar and a lion.
Narayana Temple-
it is situated five kilometres below Chamba
and has been constructed in 1 720 atter the death of Raja tidal Singh. The
presiding deity of the temple is Narayana whose marble image stands installed
therein. It is said that Raja Udai Singh and his brother Lachhman Singh were.
murdered on the spot where now two other images of the white marble stand.
Beside the temple, there is a sati pillar on which the images of the four
queens and eight maid servants are engraved, who all had committed sate On the
deaths of the Rajas
Mani-MaheshTemple-
This Shikhara style temple is one of the
most ancient and beautiful temples in Himachal Pradesh. Lakshmi Devi is
represented here as Mahishasuramardini (slayer of the buffalo demon). Her brass
statue has been executed by Yugga, the master artisan of Raja Meru Varman
Chamunda Devi Temple-
This temple is located on the hill
top of Chamba and is famous for its beautiful wood carvings which have been
carefully preserved. There are engravings of goddess Mahishasurmardini, Shiva,
Vishnu and Ganesh. It was built by Raja Ummed Singh in 1754.
Trilochnana Mahadeva Temple-
This temple is at Gum, a place
situated on the ancient road from Chamba to Bharmour. During the rule of Maru
Varman, Gum was a seat of the chieftain, Asadha deva. Shiva is the presiding
deity. It is further supported by the oldest epigraph hitherto found in Chamba.
Brejeshvari Temple-
This temple is believed to have been built
in the 11th century and is located at the entrance of the Sarota valley.
Situated outside the town the temple is remarkable for its sculpture.
Brejeshwari has a stone image of Mahishasuramardini, a form of Durga standing
in alidha posture, placing her right toot over the asura emerging out of the
buffalo in human form and carrying a sword and a shield
Champavati Temple-
This Shikhara type temple is situated
close to the royal palace at Chamba. The temple is believed to have been built
in memory of Champavati who sacrificed her life to bring water for the town of
Chamba. The Presiding deity of the temple is Mahishasuramardini, whose image
has been installed in the temple
Saho Temple-
Saho is famous for a peculiar type of Chandra
Shikhara temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are three remarkable figures,
one is that of human, while others those on the right and left of a lion and a
boar. However, both sides of the entrance bear out that the main body of the
temple is old.
Radha Krishna Temple-
This Shikhara type temple is one of
the temples of Lakshmi Narayana. The main deities for worship in the temple are
Radha and Krishna holding a flute in their hands. The temple is crowned with a
chakra on the top.
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