Chamba Town

Chamba was the seat of one of the longest-lasting hill states, ruled by the same line from the 10th century until 1948. The town centres on the Chaugan, a long level meadow used for fairs and cricket, with the Akhand Chandi palace above it. Nearby stand the Lakshmi Narayan temple group and the Hari Rai temple, both in the north-Indian Shikhara style, and the Bhuri Singh Museum, which holds Pahari miniature paintings and the state's copper-plate grants. The week-long Minjar fair in late summer, marking the corn in flower, is the town's biggest event.

1. Chamba is about 120 km from Pathankot, the nearest railhead, via Dalhousie or Banikhet.
2. Buses run from Pathankot, Dalhousie and Dharamshala to Chamba.
3. Nearest airports are Gaggal (Kangra) and Pathankot; both are a long drive.

March to June and September to November. The Minjar fair (a floating date in late July or August) is a highlight but coincides with the monsoon.

• The old-town lanes are steep and narrow; the Chaugan is the main open reference point.
• The road in from Pathankot is winding and slow — allow 4–5 hours.
• Museum hours are limited and it closes on Mondays and holidays.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.