Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Chamba

The Lakshmi Narayan complex sits in the old part of Chamba, a short walk above the Chowgan. Inside a single walled courtyard stand six temples in the north-Indian Shikhara style, the largest and earliest built by Raja Sahil Varman, who founded Chamba around 920 CE; the others were added by later rajas. Each spire is topped by a wooden 'chhatri' umbrella roof, added to shed the winter snow — a local adaptation you see across Chamba. The shrines hold brass and stone images, including the Lakshmi Narayan figure the complex is named for.

1. Chamba town is about 120 km from Pathankot and 55 km from Dalhousie by road.
2. From the Chamba bus stand and the Chowgan it is a short uphill walk to the complex.
3. Buses run to Chamba from Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Pathankot and Bharmour.

March to June and September to November. The Minjar fair, in Chamba town in late July or August, is the busiest and most colourful time.

• Remove footwear and leave leather items outside the inner shrines.
• Pair it with the Bhuri Singh Museum nearby for Pahari miniature painting and Chamba rumal embroidery.
• The lanes around it are steep and narrow — it is a walking area.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.